Urban Planning MSc

Our Urban Planning master's provides a core introduction to planning issues, professional and theoretical debates and their application to live cases and places.

About this course

Urban Planning is the understanding of the place making processes that underpins places, society and the environment. It is also interdisciplinary, with professionals having an understanding across a range of topics. You'll gain an understanding of the fundamentals required for a successful career in planning or the wider built environment professions.

The Urban Planning MSc is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The Development pathway is partially accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and offers a RICS-accredited route to gain Chartered Surveyors status.

The course is suitable:

if you are new to studying planning
if you have before studied planning in a different regulatory context

What you'll learn

fundamentals of planning
academic underpinnings of planning
principles of planning
legal, economic, social, political frameworks in which planning is situated

The course has five specialist pathways to suit your individual needs, background and career aspirations.

The planning of the built environment is becoming more driven by economic rationales. This pathway will equip you with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with these. You will be introduced to a variety of practical and theoretical skills, providing a solid basis to build your career as a planner or surveyor.

Career pathways may include working for both public and private sectors or for non-governmental organisations, such as:

the Homes and Communities Agency
social enterprises interested in development
housebuilders and developers

A 2:2 honours degree. International students need a qualification equal to a 2:1 honours degree. Your degree can be in any subject, but preference is given to graduates of a related discipline such as: planning; geography; urban studies; sociology; history; politics; economics; architecture; law; modern languages. Applicants who demonstrate significant knowledge and professional experience in UK town planning are welcome. We will consider your application if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and demonstrate aptitude for further study.