BA

Urban Planning and Sustainable Development

Learn more about studying Urban Planning and Sustainable Development as an international student.

Image reflecting the subject area of Environmental & Earth Sciences, relating to the program.
Western Washington University university logo

Key facts

  • Program
    Bachelor's
  • Duration
    4 years
  • Program
    On campus
  • Pace
    Full-time
  • Annual tuition fee
    27,690USD
  • Start date
    Jan, Mar, Sep
  • University ranking
    Not ranked

Program overview

What Western Washington University says about their program:

Have you wondered how cities are planned? This major is a multi-disciplinary professional degree that prepares students for careers in planning cities and regions. The major addresses planning and climate change, fair housing, urban design, Native Nations and Indigenous communities, sustainable transportation, recovery from disasters, and natural resources management while promoting social and environmental justice.

Learn and apply innovative approaches to city planning and to improve the quality of communities from the local to the global level. The program stresses progressive change that leads to equitable, healthy, livable, and sustainable communities with an emphasis on social and environmental justice and equity.

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Admission requirements

Undergraduate academic requirements

  • High school diploma
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.5

Postgraduate academic requirements

Direct Entry

  • A bachelor’s degree diploma

English proficiency

Undergraduate

  • IELTS

    6.5

  • TOEFL iBT

    79

  • Duolingo

    105

  • PTE

    62

Postgraduate

  • IELTS

    7.0

  • TOEFL iBT

    86

Applicants to the MS in Computer Science must score a minimum of 79 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS test.

English proficiency waivers

Undergraduate

  • English is the student native language
  • Students whose primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada (English Provinces), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand or the US
  • B” (3.0) or higher in two college level English composition courses at a US college/university
  • SAT evidence based reading and writing only score of 550 or higher

Graduate

  • English is the student native language
  • You have earned, or are in the process of earning, a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand or English-speaking provinces of Canada.

Note: English as a medium of instruction does not fulfill the English Language Proficiency requirement.

Documents required

Undergraduate

  • Application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Transcript evaluation by NACES
  • Diploma of previous studies
  • Translations
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Declaration of Financial Responsibility
  • Motivational letter
  • Portfolio (if applicable)
  • Audition (if applicable)

Some programs require an additional application.

Postgraduate

  • Application form
  • Academic transcripts
  • Transcript evaluation by NACES
  • Diploma of previous studies
  • Translations
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Copy of passport
  • Declaration of Financial Responsibility
  • Motivational letter
  • Recommendation letter
  • Writing samples (if required)

Some programs require an additional application.

Illustration of academic elements  representing admission requirements, including a graduation cap, clock, documents, resumes, ID card, a calendar, and a clipboard.

Scholarships at Western Washington University

  • First-Year International Achievement Award (IAA)

    Official page

    A four-year, merit-based scholarship of up to $10,000 per year for incoming first-year international undergraduate students. It is explicitly designated for new international freshman applicants, awarded automatically based on the admission application (secondary school transcripts, cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, English proficiency evidence, and optional essay/activities list) submitted by the priority deadline through Western's own application (not the Common App). No separate scholarship application is required, and the award renews annually provided a 3.0 GPA is maintained.

  • International Student Scholarship (ISSS Leadership Scholarship)

    Official page

    Awarded by WWU's International Student & Scholar Services to currently enrolled international students on F-1 visa status who have completed at least one year at Western, including undergraduates (as well as graduate students not exchange or externally sponsored). Recipients receive partial tuition-waiver scholarships of roughly $1,500, usable across Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters of the following academic year. Selection is based on a leadership application, essay, academic record, resume, and interview or video submission, and recipients participate in the International Student Leadership Program mentoring incoming international students. A minimum 2.8 GPA is required.

  • Transfer International Achievement Award (IAA)

    Official page

    A two-year, merit-based scholarship of up to $10,000 per year for international undergraduate transfer students. Eligible applicants must have completed at least 45 quarter (30 semester) credits at an accredited post-secondary institution, hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and submit transcripts, an essay, and evidence of English proficiency by the priority deadline. It is awarded automatically through the standard international transfer admission review with no separate scholarship application, and renews annually with continued 3.0 GPA maintenance.

All scholarship information on Studee is provided for guidance only. Always check the university's official scholarship page for the latest information on eligibility, award amounts, deadlines, and application requirements.

Fees

Western is nationally recognized for providing an excellent education at an affordable cost, with Kiplinger's Personal Finance ranking Western as a top value in education.

Fee information

  • Undergraduate tuition

    US$27,366 per year

  • MBA tuition

    US$36,096 per year

  • Graduate tuition

    US$27,375 per year

Illustration of education and financial elements including a graduation cap, trophy, diploma, books, a piggy bank, stacks of cash notes, and coins, representing fees and funding.

What is the cost of living near Western Washington University?

Category Cost  (in United States Dollar)
Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre$1,524
Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre$1,312
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse)$137
Internet (60 Mbps unlimited)$70
Mobile phone plan (data + calls)$61Range: $30 to $110· USA average
Monthly public transport pass$30
Monthly grocery basket$223
Coffee shop drink$6
Cinema or cultural event ticket$18
Gym membership$69

Indicative monthly costs per person.

Data sourced from livingcost.org (Crowdsourced) and numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).

Visa requirements for Western Washington University

Many international students will require a visa to study in the US, and this is a vital step of your study abroad journey. Make sure you understand the requirements you may need to meet before applying.