Overview

The School of Urban Studies at the University of Washington has created the first undergraduate urban design degree on the west coast. While architecture focuses on the design of individual buildings, urban design operates on a larger scale – envisioning new ways of designing public spaces like parks, streets, groups of buildings, whole neighborhoods, and entire cities. Urban designers work to make these spaces functional, attractive, and sustainable.

Our Urban Design major will prepare students to become proficient in the latest in design software, including SketchUp and Lumion as they create 2D and 3D plans and designs. This degree is designed to incorporate community questions and challenges into studio projects, preparing students for a life-time of commitment to public engagement.

Features

Through a sequence of studio courses, students apply skills including:

Computer modeling & Design thinking
Visual communication & Public presentation
Data gathering Visualization
Community-engaged design processes
Urban designers focus on place-making

These skills are applied in design studios dedicated to engaging with local and regional urban issues. Courses draw on the teaching resources of UW Tacoma faculty and experienced regional practitioners.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Computer-Aided Design
Exploring Cities
Cities in World Development
Urban Studies in Practice
Urban Design History and Theory
Urban Design Studio
Social Production of Space
Urban Social Change
Urban Planning

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Tacoma, United States

Disciplines

Design Urban Planning View 193 other Bachelors in Urban Planning in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

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TOEFL^® IBT

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Other requirements

General requirements

Submit the UW Tacoma Freshman Application.
Complete the academic course grid and your senior year projections.
Write your personal statement
Complete the activity log
Pay the application fee or request a fee waiver at the conclusion of your application.
Submit official standardized test scores (optional).
Submit official AP, IB, or CLEP scores (if applicable).
Have you graduated from high school? You are required to send a final, official transcript at the time of application

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

44811 USD / year

≈ 44811 USD / year
Out-of-State

44811 USD / year

≈ 44811 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

13577 USD / year

≈ 13577 USD / year

Living costs

Tacoma

United States

1000 - 1580 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Urban Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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