Urban and regional planning enhances people's opportunities, strives towards addressing economic resilience, justice regarding space and social aspects. Planners join local insights with their professional techniques in a collective attempt to improve the quality of places. They develop long- and short-term plans to ensure the best use of land for a specific space. Town planners often work in multidisciplinary teams and should have insight in various disciplines, while understanding the needs of the community and be able to persuade decision-makers and politicians.
Programmes offered
The Department of Urban and Regional planning, offers postgraduate studies in the following fields:
- Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours
- Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours with specialisation in Human Settlements
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning (for Professional registration)
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning (by research)
- Master of Human Settlements (by research)
- Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in Human Settlements
- Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in Urban and Regional planning
More details on the programmes can be found in the 2025 Faculty-Rulebook. Please also see the 2026 UFS postgraduate prospectus
Career opportunities
Students with both honours and master's degrees can find employment in South Africa. This profession has been identified as one of the scarce skills professions. Employment opportunities are available in national, provincial, and local government, NGOs, and the private sector. Graduates from this department are working in Namibia, England, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others.
Our Master's in Urban and Regional Planning (for professional registration) is accredited by the South African Council for Planners. This means that graduates with the MURP and the Honours in Spatial Planning can register as professional planners once they have sufficient practical experience.
Applications
Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours
Admission requirements are as follows:
- A qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60% without five years planning related work experience.
- A qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 56%< with five years planning related work experience.
- A pass (50%<) is required for the selection test (to be communicated after the closing date)
- A pass (60%<) is required for the selection test for applicants with 56 – 59% average and more than five years of related work experience (to be communicated after the closing date)
- Applicants with a qualification at NQF level 6; additionally require at least five years of related working experience. These applications are shared with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) office for further assessments and are subject to final approval by the HOD and Dean of the faculty.
Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours with specialisation in Human settlements
The programme is either completed on a full time or part-time (compact block week sessions; 5-6 weeks) basis. Admission requirements are as follows:
- A qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60%.
- A qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 56%< with five years planning related work experience.
- A pass (50%<) is required for the selection test (to be communicated after the closing date)
- A pass (60%<) is required for the selection test for applicants with 56 – 59% average and more than five years of related work experience (to be communicated after the closing date)
- Applicants with a qualification at NQF level 6, additionally require at least five years of related working experience. These applications are shared with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) office for further assessments and are subject to final approval by the HOD and Dean of the faculty.
Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (structured)
The programme is either completed on a full time or part-time (compact block week sessions; 5-6 weeks) basis. Admission requirements are as follows:
- A Town and regional planning or spatial planning honours qualification at NQF level 8 with an average of 65%.
The application process for the qualifications above is as follows:
- Apply here with the University of the Free State
- Only After you receive an acknowledgement with your student number, fill in the departmental selection form (without the student number, your form will be considered incomplete)
- Email the selection form with all the required documents (as one email/attachment) as stipulated in the form.
- You will receive an acknowledgement from the department after the closing date, also indicating the details of the selection test.
- Only after you have written the selection test will your application be considered for selection
- Applicants with international qualifications need to include their SAQA certificate when applying to the university.
Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (Research) or Masters in Human Settlements (research)
Admission requirements are as follows.
- A qualification at NQF level 8 with an average of 65% or more.
PhD in Urban and Regional Planning or in Human Settlements
- A qualification at NQF level 9 with an average of 65% or more.
The application process for a research masters or PhD is as follows.
- Apply here with the University of the Free State
- Fill in the selection form (Departmental Application form)
- Write an academic research proposal with a topic of your choice.
- Email (NtsiuTTR@ufs.ac.za) the following as one attachment:
- Research proposal
- Qualifications
- Academic transcript (results)
- Selection form
- SAQA certificate (International qualifications)
- ID or passport
- CV
All qualifications at the UFS Department of Urban and Regional planning are subject to selection. University online application and the Departmental Application form must be submitted before 30 September.
Contact details
Programme Director (Academic Enquiries)
Prof Yandisa Mashalaba
E: MashalabaY@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 3530
Head of Department
Dr Kgosi Mocwagae
E: MocwagaeKS@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 2795
General Enquiries
Thapelo Ntsiu
E: NtsiuTTR@ufs.ac.za
T: +27 51 401 3210