University students across Aotearoa are back this week and ready to dive into another year of study. With students spoilt for choice in career options for the future, we asked the Universities offering accredited NZPI planning courses how the numbers were looking.
This week the University of Auckland had around 1,000 students starting back at the school of Architecture and Planning. The exciting feedback for orientation week is that the University doubled their undergraduate (BPUH) intake to 85 in 2020 and this has remained steady with 87 new student enrolments in the Bachelor of Urban Planning course for 2023. With other accredited courses on offer, the Master of Urban Planning and Urban Design, the University of Auckland has a total of 110 new urban planning students this year. A further 130 new students are enrolled in architecture and 22 are studying urban design.
Massey University’s Programme Coordinator in the School of People, Environment and Planning, Dr April Bennett says:
“The highlight for 2023 is that students have returned to the university without restriction for the first time since March 2020; there is life on campus again!”
Dr Bennet reports that since 2014 BRP enrolments have increased by 23.5% and MRP enrolments have increased by 50%. At the same time distance enrolments in the BRP have increased by 133% since 2019 and there are more than ever in 2023. This is a good news story for the planning profession in Aotearoa.
Massey University anticipate a more diverse planning workforce in future. They’ve seen more Māori enrol in the BRP, with an increase in Māori enrolments from 15%, to a 26% increase in Māori enrolments in 2022. They’ve also seen more Asian students in the MRP, with an increase in enrolments from 11%, to 16% in 2022. Most BRP and MRP students are women and BRP students are getting older. Enrolments in planning at Massey university in the 20-24 age group have grown by 172% this year.
NZPI / Te Kōkiringa Taumata recognises a number of undergraduate and post graduate courses as accredited studies in planning in New Zealand. Those who complete studies in these areas are eligible to become Student Members of NZPI, eventually becoming Full Members as they progress through their planning careers.
Universities offering accredited courses are:
Click here to see NZPI’s accreditation policy
Planning is an exciting career, combining interests in architecture and urban design, geography, social and economic policy and law. Planners help to shape our towns and cities into the future we want to live in. We wish our students the best of luck as they commence their studies for 2023 and invite others to become student members of NZPI.
To become a Student Member of NZPI and enjoy the benefits student membership brings ...
