Urban Planning and Design with Foundation

Program Overview

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Urban Planning and Design with Foundation BA Honours

Overview

Our degree courses with Foundation year offer the opportunity to prepare you for advanced study before you progress onto a full honours degree at the University of Westminster.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge and skills towards degree-level study, or want to change your subject specialism, we aim to encourage a broad range of students to undertake our Foundation year to progress on to full honours degree with us.

Course Structure

The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.

• Foundation
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Placement Year
• Year 3

Foundation Year

The Foundation year offers four studio-based modules which include Recording Place, Making Practices, Reading Spaces and the Major Project. The latter is a design challenge that asks students to draw on skills and interests ignited by their earlier studio-based work and topics explored in the Foundation Pathway Modules. The work from this project will form the centrepiece of the final exhibition showcasing the students' skills and creative visions.

Subjects of study include:

• Critical Thinking in a Changing World
• Introduction to Academic Practice
• Major Project
• Making Practices
• Reading Spaces
• Recording Place

Credit Level 3

Year 1

Subjects of study include:

• CC1: A History of Architecture
• City Design Studio 1
• Contemporary Issues in City Planning and Design
• Introduction to Design and Skills

Credit Level 4

Year 2

Subjects of study include:

• CC2: Architectural History and Urbanism
• City Design Studio 2
• Economics of Cities
• Urban Heritage and Townscape Conservation

Credit Level 5

Placement Year

Between Years 2 and 3, you may undertake an optional year-long placement. If you take advantage of this option, you'll undertake an additional year-long Industry Placement Year module running parallel to your work placement, and your final degree award will be ‘BA Honours in Urban Planning and Design with Professional Experience’.

Year 3

Subjects of study include:

• City Design Studio 3
• Research Report
• Resilient and Healthy Cities
• Work Experience and Professional Practice

Credit Level 6

Professional Accreditation

The course meets the requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a spatial degree and is the initial step to qualify as a Chartered Town Planner.

Entry Requirements

UK

• A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
• T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
• International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
• BTEC Diploma – DD
• Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Language grade 4/C - IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C - IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

International

• International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
• We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
• We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English Language Requirements

• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
• If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

International

• International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.

Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.

How You'll Be Taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How You'll Be Assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
• Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

In the heart of London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. Specialist workshops, dedicated digital and architecture studios, and our extensive Marylebone Library offer students everything they need for academic success.

Marylebone Campus is opposite Baker Street tube station and within easy walking distance of Regent's Park and Marylebone High Street.

Related Courses

• Architecture and Environmental Design with Foundation BSc Honours
• Architecture with Foundation BA Honours

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This interdisciplinary course brings together urban design, architecture, landscape and environmental planning. The Urban Planning and Design BA explores the processes of city transformation, city climate mitigation and adaptation while enabling you to reimagine the urban realm in a creative manner. You’ll be given the skills needed to manage cities sustainably and learn to design diverse built environments, to enhance the lives of those who inhabit and work in them. The course aims to enable future urban planners to play a leading role in shaping climate-resilient, sustainable, healthy and inclusive cities.

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Outline:

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Foundation Year:

• Recording Place: This module introduces students to the methods and techniques of recording and analyzing urban spaces.
• Making Practices: This module focuses on developing practical skills in design and fabrication, using the Fabrication Laboratory on campus.
• Reading Spaces: This module explores the theoretical and historical contexts of urban design and planning.
• Major Project: This module culminates in a design project that draws on the skills and knowledge gained throughout the Foundation year.

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Year 1:

• City Design Studio 1: This studio-based module introduces students to the principles of urban design and planning through practical projects.
• Contemporary Issues in City Planning and Design: This module examines current challenges and trends in urban planning and design.
• Introduction to Design and Skills: This module provides a foundation in design principles and techniques.
• CC1: A History of Architecture: This module explores the history of architecture and its influence on urban development.

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Year 2:

• CC2: Architectural History and Urbanism: This module continues the exploration of architectural history and its relationship to urban form.
• City Design Studio 2: This studio-based module builds on the skills developed in Year 1, focusing on more complex urban design projects.
• Economics of Cities: This module examines the economic forces that shape urban development.
• Urban Heritage and Townscape Conservation: This module explores the principles and practices of preserving and managing urban heritage.

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Placement Year (Optional):

• Industry Placement Year: This module provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of urban planning and design through a year-long work placement.

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Year 3:

• City Design Studio 3: This studio-based module culminates in a major design project that integrates the knowledge and skills gained throughout the program.
• Research Report: This module requires students to conduct independent research on a topic related to urban planning and design.
• Resilient and Healthy Cities: This module examines the challenges of creating resilient and healthy urban environments.
• Work Experience and Professional Practice: This module provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their professional development and prepare for their future careers.

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Studio-based projects: Students are assessed on their design work, which is presented in the form of drawings, models, and written reports.
• Essays and reports: Students are required to write essays and reports on a range of topics related to urban planning and design.
• Presentations: Students are assessed on their ability to communicate their ideas effectively through presentations.

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Teaching:

• Studio-based learning: The program emphasizes a studio-based approach to learning, where students work on practical projects in small groups.
• Faculty: The program is taught by a team of experienced practitioners and academics who are active in the field of urban planning and design.
• Guest speakers: The program features guest speakers from industry, government, and academia, who share their expertise and insights with students.
• Field trips: Students have the opportunity to participate in field trips to visit urban planning and design projects in London and beyond.

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Careers:

Graduates from this course will have opportunities to work in the field of urban planning. These include but are not limited to, landscape and environmental design, urban regeneration and economic development, city climate adaptation, mitigation and community engagement. They can also become urban planners and designers or work as environmental consultants. Graduates from this course will meet the specific needs of employers for planners who have a good understanding of design issues and are capable of working in collaborative and interdisciplinary practices.

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Other:

• The course is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a spatial degree and is an initial step towards qualifying as a Chartered Town Planner.
• The program is designed to tackle climate change, urban health, and the broad challenges of urban sustainability.
• The Westminster Employability Award gives students the chance to formally document and demonstrate their personal and professional development activities and achievements.
• The University offers a range of international study and work experiences, including semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world, international summer schools, and field trips.

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UK Fees:

£9,250 (Price per academic year)

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International Fees:

£17,000 (Price per academic year)