Study Planning at Otago
Overview
Otago's Master of Planning (MPlan) degree is recognised nationally and internationally for professional excellence. It contains exciting and flexible study options, leading to excellent employment opportunities.
Planners play a major role in the decision-making processes of government, local government and private enterprise. Planners assess the impacts of proposals, develop policy, help articulate important community values, and play an ongoing role in monitoring and evaluating new policies and developments. They may be involved in the management of marine, water, air and land resources, the development in urban and rural areas, conservation of natural resources, protection of indigenous peoples' values, heritage protection, and the social impacts of change.
The two-year degree incorporates both course work and research. Students with degrees in Arts, Science, Law and Commerce may apply for admission to the programme.
Papers
See the full list of Planning (PLAN) papers
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Required papers: | |
| PLAN 435 Planning Thinking and Research: Case Study I | 30 | |
| PLAN 438 Planning Practice and Law | 30 | |
| PLAN 535 Planning Thinking and Research: Case Study II | 30 | |
| GEOG 401 Theories of Development | 20 | |
| GEOG 457 Urban Theory and Practice | 20 | |
| GEOG 536 Toitū te Taiao: Planning in a Māori Context | 30 | |
| And 80 points of Planning-related papers e.g.: | 80 | |
| GEOG 454, GEOG 459, GEOG 460, GEOG 461, GEOG 463, GEOG 471, GEOG 472 , GEOG 474, MAOR 404, PMAN 501, POLS 413, SURV 553, SURV 556 | ||
| Total | 240 | |
| Exceptional | Year 1 papers: | |
| PLAN 435 Planning Thinking and Research: Case Study I | 30 | |
| PLAN 438 Planning Practice and Law | 30 | |
| GEOG 457 Urban Theory and Practice | 20 | |
| GEOG 536 Toitū te Taiao: Planning in a Māori Context | 30 | |
| Year 2 papers: | ||
| PLAN 5 Thesis | 100 | |
| PLAN 535 Planning Thinking and Research: Case Study II | 30 | |
| Total | 240 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PLST papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAN435 | 2025 | Planning Thinking and Research: Case Study I | 30 points | Full Year |
| PLAN438 | 2025 | Planning Practice and Law | 30 points | Full Year |
| PLAN535 | 2025 | Planning Case Study II | 30 points | Full Year |
PLAN papers
Sorry, no papers matching this subject were found.
Contacts
Website otago.ac.nz/planning
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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