Career guide

Town Planner

Investigative

Plans how land is used - zoning, township layouts, transport and development applications - balancing growth, environment and community needs. Mostly municipal and consulting work.

School subjects

Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy is generally accepted; Geography helps.

How you qualify

You must complete a planning qualification that is ACCREDITED BY SACPLAN - a degree (BSc/B-Town and Regional Planning) or diploma, typically 3 to 4 years. Registration with the South African Council for Planners (SACPLAN) is compulsory to practise; there are Student, Technical and Professional Planner categories, and the Recognition of Prior Learning route requires at least five years' practical experience. Check the SACPLAN accredited-programme list before you choose an institution. Entry requirements differ by institution - confirm directly with the institution.

Where to study

SACPLAN-accredited universities and Universities of Technology; SACPLAN registration compulsory

Before you decide. Entry requirements change every year and differ between institutions. We do not publish admission point scores here, because a number that is right for one university in one year is wrong for another. Confirm the requirements directly with the institution before your subject selection form is signed. In KwaZulu-Natal, applications go through the Central Applications Office (cao.ac.za).

Last verified: 2026-08

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