The Department of Urban and Regional Planning offers a program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning. The aim of urban planning is to sustain and enhance the quality of life in cities and regions. Therefore, in addition to technical skills, students also acquire a broad liberal education that leads to an understanding of the natural and social environments, their problems, and their potential for enriching human life. The urban planning degree emphasizes skills in analysis, problem solving, and communication within complex urban and social contexts. As a result, undergraduate planning education leads to diverse professional careers or graduate study in urban planning or related professions, such as law, business, public policy or public administration. Continuation in the program requires the student to maintain a 2.00 grade point average. The degree is professionally accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board.
Students pursuing this major select one of four concentrations:
Global Cities
Policy & Planning
Social Justice
Sustainability
September 2025
College of Fine and Applied Arts
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
608 E. Lorado Taft Dr.,
CHAMPAIGN,
Illinois,
61820, United States
Students should complete their high school courses and grades
GPA: 3.23-3.81
TOEFL scores are TOEFL: 99-108
Along with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Testing System (IELTS) can also be used to show English proficiency. The typical scores for admission are a total of 7.5 to 8, with a score of at least 6 on all 4 modules.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.