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 2026 Faculty rule book. Please also see the 2027 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 (BC460145)

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 built-environment qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60% or more. 
  
• A non-built - environment qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60% or more (with five years planning related work experience. Such applications will be subjected to a selection test. 
• A pass (50%) is required for the selection test (dates to be communicated to those who are eligible)
  
• Applicants with a built-environment 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.
• Note: To register as a professional planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), it is necessary to pass this degree (BC460145), as well as the Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (BC470348), and complete your practical training requirements.

Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours with specialisation in Human settlements (BC460171)

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 built-environment qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60% or more. 

• A non-built - environment qualification at NQF level 7 with an average of 60% or more (with five years planning related work experience. Such applications will be subjected to a selection test. 
• A pass (50%) is required for the selection test (dates to be communicated to those who are eligible)
  
• Applicants with a buit-environment 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) BC470348

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% or more. 
• Note: To register as a professional planner with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN), it is necessary to pass the Bachelor of Spatial Planning Honours (BC460145) degree, as well as the Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (BC470348), and complete your practical training requirements.

 The application process for the qualifications above is as follows:

1. Apply here with the University of the Free State
2. 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)
3. Email the selection form with all the required documents (as one email/attachment) to NtsiuTTR@ufs.ac.za. 
   

Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (Research) and Masters in Human Settlements (research)

Admission requirements are as follows.

• A qualification at NQF level 8 with an average of 65% or more.

1. Apply here with the University of the Free State
2. Fill in the selection form (NEW departmental application form) and the NEW Research Masters and PhD Proposal Application form
3. Write an academic research proposal with a topic of your choice.
4. 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

 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 PhD programme is as follows.

1. Apply here with the University of the Free State
2. Fill in the selection form (NEW departmental application form) and the NEW Research Masters and PhD Proposal Application form
3. Write an academic research proposal with a topic of your choice.
4. 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 NEW departmental application form must be submitted before 30 September.

Contact details

Head of Department (Acting Programme Director - Academic Enquiries)

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