Program Overview

MSc Global Urban Development and Planning

Overview

The MSc Global Urban Development and Planning program is designed to improve your understanding of global urban development issues, particularly relating to cities of the global South. The program aims to develop the conceptual and operational skills to apply solutions for sustainable urban development in specific contexts, by drawing on the expertise of academics and practitioners from development studies, planning, architecture, and business studies.

Entry Requirements

• We require a UK Honours degree with a First or Upper Second (2.1) classification or the overseas equivalent.
• When assessing your academic record, we take into account the grades you have achieved and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Application and Selection

• Apply online
• Full entry requirements can be found on the university's website.

Course Details

• Degree awarded: Master of Science (MSc)
• Duration: 1 year (full-time); 2 years (part-time)
• Course options:
  • Full-time: Y
  • Part-time: N
  • Full-time distance learning: N
  • Part-time distance learning: N

Careers

• The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in urban development and planning, particularly in the global South.

Fees

• For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:
  • MSc (full-time):
    • UK students (per annum): £12,000
    • International, including EU, students (per annum): £29,000
• Further information for EU students can be found on the university's dedicated EU page.
• The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition, administration, and computational costs during your studies.

Additional Expenses

• Students will take either the International Planning field course or the Development Fieldwork course unit.
• All students will be automatically enrolled on the International Planning field course, and the cost of this field course is incorporated into the course fees.
• Those students who wish to attend the Development Fieldwork course unit will have to express their preference by 1 October and pay the difference in cost by Christmas.

Policy on Additional Costs

• All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme.
• Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application.

Scholarships/Sponsorships

• We offer several postgraduate taught scholarships and merit awards to outstanding applicants and international students.
• For more information, see the University's postgraduate funding database.
• Manchester Alumni Loyalty Discount offers a discount on tuition fees to the graduates of The University of Manchester progressing to a postgraduate taught Master's course.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world's call to action on the most pressing challenges facing humanity.
• At The University of Manchester, we address the SDGs through our research and particularly in partnership with our students.
• Led by our innovative research, our teaching ensures that all our graduates are empowered, inspired, and equipped to address the key socio-political and environmental challenges facing the world.
• To illustrate how our teaching will empower you as a change maker, we've highlighted the key SDGs that our courses address.
  • Goal 1: No poverty
    • End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Regulated by the Office for Students

• The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS).
• The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high-quality education that prepares them for the future, and by protecting their interests.
• More information can be found at the OfS website.