Program type
Major, Minor, Honours, Specialization
Urban Planning and Urban Studies (BA)
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Duration
3 to 4 years
Start term
Fall, Winter
Virtual information sessions
Discover what makes Concordia's Faculty of Arts and Science stand out as a leader in the humanities and social and natural sciences, including academic opportunities, hands-on learning and how to achieve your goals.
Why study Urban Studies and Urban Planning?
New York. Paris. Vancouver. Montreal. Each follows its own rhythm, shaped by geography, history and the people who live there. Explore how residential and commercial areas, community spaces, public services and transportation all work together to form a city’s unique personality. You’ll learn how to plan for future change and make decisions in the public interest.
Through labs, lectures and projects, you will:
- Study the relationships between the socio-cultural, economic and physical aspects of urban development
- Learn to gather and interpret statistical data
- Acquire technical knowledge of computerized mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Put your skills to work by analyzing real-world problems identified in Montreal neighbourhoods and creating solutions
Program highlights
- Students complete in-depth year-long projects as part of the Advanced Urban Laboratory
- The student-run Urban Planning Association of Concordia organizes events, conference travel and social gatherings.
Special funding for out-of-province students
Up to $4000 for undergraduate programs.
Program structure
A Bachelor of Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
Program options
- Major in Urban Studies (42 credits)
- Minor in Urban Studies (30 credits)
- Honours in Urban Planning (63 credits)*
- Specialization in Urban Planning (60 credits)*
*Admission is to the Major in Urban Studies. Students seeking admission to the Urban Planning programs may apply for a transfer after having completed certain courses and obtained a grade point average of 3.0 for Specialization and 3.3 for Honours.
The BA Honours and Specialization in Urban Planning are not accredited planning degrees, but prepare students for a range of planning-related jobs that do not require an accredited degree, and are excellent preparation for students considering graduate studies in planning.
Courses
United States students: A U.S. Federal Student Aid-eligible version of this program is offered. This version meets all U.S. regulations (such as no co-operative education or e-courses) for eligible programs.
Admission criteria
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec Cegep: 21
- High School: C+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 26
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP): 26
- Baccalauréat français: 11
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams CD or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): C
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
Application deadlines
It’s not too late to apply
Most undergraduate programs are still accepting applications for fall 2025.
FALL ENTRY (September)
Deadline: March 1
International applicants: Apply no later than February 1 to allow time for immigration document processing. However, applying earlier is strongly recommended. Immigration processing times vary by country, and delays could prevent you from starting your studies on time.
WINTER ENTRY (January)
Deadline: November 1
International applicants: Apply no later than August 1 to allow time for immigration document processing. However, applying earlier is strongly recommended. Immigration processing times vary by country, and delays could prevent you from starting your studies on time.
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
After your degree
Graduates of the Urban Studies and Urban Planning programs leave with the knowledge and technical skills required for a career in any field that requires engaging spatial analysis of the built environment to plan change, from real estate to public policy or administration.
- Development and zoning coordination
- Urban design consulting
- Real estate analysis
- Project management
- Affordable housing organization
- Community economic development
Student story
Hilton Mutavati
Major in Urban Planning
In downtown Montreal, there’s many services accessible. Everything is within your vicinity.”
Ben Azoulay
Honours in Urban Planning
The extent to which the program gives students the opportunity to get hands-on interaction with technologies in the field is invaluable.
Other programs of interest
As an environmental geography major, you’ll take courses in geography, geology and biology, and enjoy the flexibility to complement your studies in another field of interest.
Department
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment
Faculty
If you are fascinated by the science behind how human activity affects our planet, and passionate about creating a more sustainable future, the Environmental and Sustainability Science program is for you.
Departments
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology
Faculty
Explore how geography influences human behaviour and examine the impact of human activity on the environment.
Department
Department of Geography, Planning and Environment
Faculty
As sociologists, we look at how societies are constituted in Canada and across cultures.
Department
Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Faculty
