Planning and Sustainable Development

The Master's in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) programme is offered by the College of Arts, Celtic Studies & Social Sciences (CACSSS) at University College Cork (UCC). This is an internationally-recognised, professionally-accredited master's course in spatial planning and development for cities, regions, towns, rural areas, and neighbourhoods.

Course Outline

The MPlan is a comprehensive, two-year course compatible with European standards and with international professional training models for planning. Our graduates come from many different disciplines, so our course offers a rich learning environment for people to fine-tune their areas of interest into a practical, ethical and effective field of action with relevance in the contemporary world.

The degree, which has a strong theoretical and ethical foundation, develops a wide range of skills and abilities leading to a strong capacity for making real-world, imaginative and balanced proposals and recommendations about the future of places.

Course Content

This is a full-time taught programme running for 24 months over two academic years from the date of first registration. You will take a total of 120 credits over two academic years as follows:

• Year 1 (60 credits total)
  • PD6105 Housing, Social Change and Community Needs (5 credits)
  • PD6106 Infrastructure and Transport in Land Use Planning (5 credits)
  • PD6110 Foundations in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits)
  • PD6111 Contemporary Concepts in Planning Theory (5 credits)
  • PD6112 Drawing, Communication and Observation Skills (5 credits)
  • PD6113 Information and Engagement Skills in Planning (5 credits)
  • PD6114 Planning Processes, Administration and Participation (5 credits)
  • PD6116 Urban and Metropolitan Spatial Planning (5 credits)
  • PD6117 Regional, National and Transnational Planning (5 credits)
  • PD6118 Principles of Urban Design and Place-making (5 credits)
  • PD6205 Planning and Management of Natural Resources (5 credits)
  • LW6101 Introduction to Planning Law (5 credits)
• Year 2 (60 credits total)
  • PD6120 Landscape Character, Context and Change (5 credits)
  • PD6122 Planning and Design for Built Heritage (5 credits)
  • PD6206 Property, Sustainable Growth and Enterprise (5 credits)
  • PD6207 Spatial Planning and Landscape for Rural Environments (5 credits)
  • PD6208 Applied Discourses in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits)
  • PD6209 International Planning Systems and Approaches (5 credits)
  • PD6211 Plan-making and Forward Planning Skills (5 credits)
  • PD6212 Planning Skills in Development Management and Assessment (5 credits)
  • PD6213 Research Methods and Proposals in Planning (5 credits)
  • PD6215 Planning Dissertation/Research Project (15 credits)

Course Practicalities

This programme is taken on a full-time basis over 2 years across two 12-week teaching terms. Lectures will be scheduled on four to five days per week and there will also be afternoon studio sessions or tutorials each week, all supported by individual study/reading time. There will be mandatory residential and day field trips, both within and outside Ireland in both years, and students will be asked to contribute towards the cost of these.

Assessment

MPlan modules are assessed almost entirely through coursework: essays, designs, field journals, tutorials, team projects, written reflection, individual presentations and research projects/dissertations. Around 25% of the modules also have a short written examination at the end of the relevant teaching period, making up 30-40% of the marks available for the module.

Why Choose This Course

The MPlan at UCC is known for the high quality of its graduates and its broad-based approach to learning. With a core teaching team of experienced professional planners, the course sits at the meeting point between the rigour of academic thought and the effectiveness of real-world practice.

Our MPlan has an international focus (with two study visits outside of Ireland) and a disciplinary ethos that straddles the physical sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities. This makes our programme especially interesting for English-speaking graduates from North America, Asia, and the global South who are interested in furthering their education in a progressive European university.

Skills and Careers Information

As the programme is a professional masters and fully accredited by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the most usual employment for graduates is in the planning industry. Traditionally conducted within the public sector at all levels of government, planning is now carried out in a wide variety of professional environments across the public and private sectors and across the housing, transportation, environment, retail, energy, heritage sectors.

The accreditation from the RTPI is internationally recognised and many of our graduates have found work across the globe. Students graduate with a range of skills which include creative problem solving, environmental evaluation, analytical and research skills, policy development, physical planning, community engagement, teamwork and design techniques and appreciation. This applied skill set is particularly attractive to the public sector, businesses and third sector employment situations.

Occupations associated with an MPlan degree

• Planning
  • Working in central/regional/local government preparing spatial plans, managing development, protecting our heritage and countryside, working with communities and delivering regeneration;
  • Working in a planning/design consultancy, preparing development proposals, advising clients and assessing environmental impacts;
  • Working for yourself in your own planning consultancy.
• Other environmentally based occupations
  • Working with the third sector, promoting sustainability and regeneration, supporting essential development in the third world and campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of jobs, communities and places;
  • Working in transport, housing, recycling, property development, energy, community development and economic development.
• Research and further studies
  • Working for a PhD, teaching and academic research;
  • Carrying out environmental and property research.

Requirements

Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher in arts, social science, architecture, engineering, science, commerce, law, health, or equivalent subject. All applicants must provide a high standard of personal motivational statement and a sound academic reference. They should also demonstrate, at interview, a very high level of engagement and interest in the subject. Selection will be based on academic achievement (including academic reference), personal motivation statement, an interview and any relevant work experience.

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €8,900. The Non-EU fee for this course is €19,900.

How To Apply

1. Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process.
2. Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the application portal and include:

• Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
• Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.

3. Apply: Apply online by clicking the application link. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable application fee.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please enter the details of a referee who can provide a reference for previous relevant academic performance, qualifications and aptitude.

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Degree Overview:

The Master's in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) program at University College Cork (UCC) is a two-year, full-time, internationally recognized, and professionally accredited master's course in spatial planning and development. It focuses on cities, regions, towns, rural areas, and neighborhoods.

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Objectives:

The program aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge to tackle real-world sustainability and environmental challenges in public, private, and community settings globally. It develops a strong capacity for making imaginative, balanced, and practical proposals and recommendations about the future of places.

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Outline:

The MPlan is a comprehensive program structured over two academic years, totaling 120 credits. It is compatible with European standards and international professional training models for planning.

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Year 1 (60 credits total):

• PD6105 Housing, Social Change and Community Needs (5 credits): This module explores the relationship between housing, social change, and community needs.
• PD6106 Infrastructure and Transport in Land Use Planning (5 credits): This module examines the role of infrastructure and transport in land use planning.
• PD6110 Foundations in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits): This module provides a foundational understanding of planning and sustainable development principles.
• PD6111 Contemporary Concepts in Planning Theory (5 credits): This module explores contemporary concepts in planning theory.
• PD6112 Drawing, Communication and Observation Skills (5 credits): This module develops drawing, communication, and observation skills relevant to planning.
• PD6113 Information and Engagement Skills in Planning (5 credits): This module focuses on information gathering and engagement techniques in planning.
• PD6114 Planning Processes, Administration and Participation (5 credits): This module examines planning processes, administration, and public participation.
• PD6116 Urban and Metropolitan Spatial Planning (5 credits): This module focuses on urban and metropolitan spatial planning.
• PD6117 Regional, National and Transnational Planning (5 credits): This module explores regional, national, and transnational planning perspectives.
• PD6118 Principles of Urban Design and Place-making (5 credits): This module introduces principles of urban design and place-making.
• PD6205 Planning and Management of Natural Resources (5 credits): This module examines the planning and management of natural resources.
• LW6101 Introduction to Planning Law (5 credits): This module provides an introduction to planning law.

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Year 2 (60 credits total):

• PD6120 Landscape Character, Context and Change (5 credits): This module explores landscape character, context, and change.
• PD6206 Property, Sustainable Growth and Enterprise (5 credits): This module examines the relationship between property, sustainable growth, and enterprise.
• PD6208 Applied Discourses in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits): This module explores applied discourses in planning and sustainable development.
• PD6209 International Planning Systems and Approaches (5 credits): This module examines international planning systems and approaches.
• PD6211 Plan-making and Forward Planning Skills (5 credits): This module develops plan-making and forward planning skills.
• PD6212 Planning Skills in Development Management and Assessment (5 credits): This module focuses on planning skills in development management and assessment.
• PD6213 Research Methods and Proposals in Planning (5 credits): This module introduces research methods and proposals in planning.
• PD6215 Planning Dissertation/Research Project (15 credits): This module involves a substantial research project or dissertation.

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Assessment:

The MPlan program is assessed primarily through coursework, including essays, designs, field journals, tutorials, team projects, written reflections, individual presentations, and research projects/dissertations.

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Teaching:

The core of the program is taught by full-time and part-time staff of the UCC Centre for Planning Education and Research (CPER), a full member of the Association of European Schools of Planning, and other UCC departments. Additional teaching contributions are made by professional practitioners and guest lecturers as needed.

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Main teaching team:

• Brendan O’Sullivan (Senior Lecturer, CPER)
• Dr Karen Ray (Lecturer, CPER)
• Jeanette Fitzsimons (Lecturer, CPER)
• Professor Cathal O’Connell (School of Applied Social Studies)
• Dr Phyllis Comerford (Department of Law)
• Pádraig Collins MRTPI
• Dr Nicholas Mansergh MIPI
• Kevin Burke MRTPI
• Mona Hallinan (Built Heritage)

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Careers:

The MPlan program is a professional master's degree fully accredited by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Graduates are well-prepared for careers in the planning industry, both in the public and private sectors.

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Potential career paths:

• Planning: Working in central/regional/local government, planning consultancies, or as independent planners.
• Other environmentally based occupations: Working in the third sector, transport, housing, recycling, property development, energy, community development, and economic development.
• Research and further studies: Pursuing a PhD, teaching, or academic research.

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Other:

• The program has an international focus, with two study visits outside of Ireland.
• The program's disciplinary ethos spans the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
• The MPlan team has strong relationships with employers and specialist planning recruitment agencies, which helps secure positions for graduates.
• The MPlan is showcased by the UCC Graduate Attribute Programme.

University College Cork

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Overview:

University College Cork (UCC) is a public research university located in Cork, Ireland. It is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland (NUI). UCC offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

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Services Offered:

Student Support:

UCC provides a range of support services for students, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health services.

Library:

The Boole Library offers extensive resources, including books, journals, and online databases.

Campus Life:

UCC offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student clubs, societies, and sports teams.

Accommodation:

UCC provides on-campus accommodation options for students.

International Office:

The International Office supports international students with visa applications, cultural adjustment, and other services.

Adult Continuing Education:

UCC offers a variety of programs for adult learners, including evening classes and online courses.

Continuing Professional Development:

UCC provides professional development opportunities for working professionals.

Micro-credentials:

UCC offers micro-credentials in various fields, allowing students to gain specific skills and knowledge.

Scholarships and Prizes:

UCC offers a range of scholarships and prizes to support students financially.

Transition-In Programme:

UCC provides a transition-in program for students who are new to higher education.

Graduate Attributes:

UCC focuses on developing graduate attributes such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UCC offers a vibrant campus experience with a strong sense of community. Students can participate in a wide range of activities, including sports, clubs, societies, and events. The campus is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Cork.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class Education:

UCC is renowned for its high-quality education and research.

Strong Academic Programs:

UCC offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines.

Vibrant Campus Life:

UCC provides a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to get involved.

Beautiful Location:

UCC is located in a beautiful setting, with easy access to the city of Cork.

International Reputation:

UCC is a globally recognized university with a strong international reputation.

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Academic Programs:

UCC offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

• Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
• Business and Law
• Engineering and Science
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Education
• Music

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Other:

• UCC is committed to sustainability and has been recognized as the world's first green campus.
• UCC is a member of the National University of Ireland (NUI).
• UCC has a strong research focus and is home to a number of research centers and institutes.
• UCC is a popular choice for international students, with a large international student population.