The four-year bachelor of social science/master of urban management and planning degree will be launched at the UWS Parramatta campus today.

Students begin by studying urban management, strategic planning and policy development and, after three years, receive guaranteed entry into the final year masters degree course.

Penrith, Blacktown and Wollondilly councils support the new program and will offer scholarships for students as well as being involved in guest lectures, field trips and placement programs.

Students will work with the university's Urban Research Centre, a national leader in research on urban management. The bachelor degree is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia.

Kevin Dunn, from the UWS school of social sciences, said the urban planning program was intended for students seeking a career in urban management, strategic planning and policy development.

``Greater western Sydney is one of Australia's most diverse, dynamic and profitable regions, and is expected to change over the next decade as businesses, industry and residents are drawn into the area,'' Professor Dunn said.

``Employers will be seeking out urban planning professionals who have an understanding of the local region and can respond to the community's needs.

``UWS is well placed to provide such graduates who have been drawn from the local region and understand the development pressures of [greater western Sydney] because they have lived, worked and studied within it.''