Housing and City Planning MSc

UCL (University College London)

Shelter is one of the most basic human needs, yet few governments have adequately addressed the development of sufficient housing that is the right type, of the right quality, and in the right locations. This urban planning master's course provides critical perspectives on the role of planning policy and practice in development, the financing and management of housing projects, and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of housing. Housing and City Planning MSc is designed for urban professionals and graduates seeking to specialise in housing development. Housing development needs to be both accessible and affordable while satisfying our basic human needs. Thoughtful design can ensure these developments also contribute to achieving social and environmental goals. The Housing and City Planning MSc provides a comprehensive perspective on housing development, offering critical insights from planning, design, and project management viewpoints. This degree prepares you for careers in real estate and development, housing associations, and local or central government, and more. You develop the skills to produce housing proposals that are feasible in terms of policy compliance and financing—key requirements in all sectors concerned with housing. Our multidisciplinary education integrates aspects of urban planning, housing studies, real estate, urban design, and more under three overarching themes: planning for housing, economics and management, and sustainability. During your studies you: Build a solid understanding of UK policy and practice while exploring comparative perspectives from international case studies and global housing debates. Acquire the knowledge and skills to identify new housing market opportunities and to structure a development financing package that maximises the developer’s objectives. Learn about sustainable housing principles, exploring environmental aspects in both the design of new housing and housing retrofit projects. Gain experience delivering housing-led development proposals in a project-based module focused on a London regeneration area. Deepen your understanding of real housing challenges and solutions during a residential field trip. Explore your own interests, choosing from a range of specialist elective modules in: Infrastructure Planning; Investigating Urban Transformation in Historic Cities; Planning for Housing; Planning for Sustainability, Climate Change and Inclusion; Planning for Urban Design; Smart City Theory and Practice; Sustainable Development Themes and Goals; or Urban Regeneration. Earn a degree accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) with a requisite bachelor's degree. This course is for urban professionals and graduates from the fields of planning, property, architecture and project management from around the world looking to build their career in housing development or planning. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a working professional, we offer part-time and flexible study options that let you balance work and study.