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Beautifully shaped steel building

Major

Urban Systems

Bachelor of Design

How can we reimagine cities to be more just, sustainable and resilient?

This major explores how cities function and how urban design, planning and technology intersect to shape thriving urban environments.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of the relationships between people, places and the environment, and learn to address contemporary challenges such as climate change, social justice, economic and digital transformation. 

Through hands-on projects and case studies, you’ll gain practical expertise in urban policy, spatial analysis and community engagement.

With an interdisciplinary approach, this major empowers you to design solutions that make urban environments more inclusive, sustainable and adaptable – preparing you for further study in planning or a career contributing to shaping the cities of tomorrow.

Highlights

=1 in Queensland for architecture and built environment

QS World University Rankings 2026

Career possibilities

Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Urban designer
  • Design manager

Mid-career salary

Urban Designer

$69K–$104K

payscale.com

Average annual salary range

Design Manager

$175–$195K

seek.com.au

Next steps after graduation

After graduating from the Urban Systems major, you'll be prepared for exciting opportunities in urban design, environmental design, government, policy, community organisations and urban systems-related roles.

You could help shape more liveable, sustainable and connected places, or use this major as a pathway to further postgraduate study in programs such as the Master of Urban Planning or Master of Urban Design and Development, or in related built environment fields.

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Fieldwork
  • Studios

What you'll study

At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:

  • Urban Design Theory & Practice [Elective]
  • Transport Planning [Core course]
  • Introduction to Planning
  • Teamwork and Negotiation for Planners [Elective]

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