Urban design is a practice intended to help shape cities and towns while establishing and implementing plans to allow for future growth. Common areas of study for students of urban design include architectural design, urban planning, highway engineering and landscape design.

Due to the numerous countries within Oceania, work occasions and work permit laws differ greatly, with data on opportunities in some nations being limited. Australia and New Zealand are the most advanced countries in the area.

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.