Program Overview

Master of Science in Spatial Planning

Overview

This part-time course provides an opportunity for practitioners and qualified individuals to become professional planners by attending an accredited part-time planning course.

Course Details

• TU Code: TU225
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Award Type: Major
• Award: Master of Science
• ECTS Credits: 120
• Duration: 2.5 Years
• Course Type: Postgraduate
• Mode of Study: Part Time
• Method of Delivery: Blended
• Commencement Date: September 2025
• Location: Bolton Street, Grangegorman

Fees

• Year 1: €3,060
• Year 2: €3,060
• Year 3: €1,530
• Total Fee: €7,650

What is Spatial Planning?

Spatial planning is a field that touches on all aspects of our lives through our communities, towns, and cities, and it is one that holds the key to a sustainable, socially inclusive, and healthy future.

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Honours Degree: Have an appropriate Honours (2.2 grade or higher) bachelor degree.
• Relevant Experience: Have five years relevant experience in an area generally related to planning.
• Planning Practice: Have an ability to undertake practice during the course that is relevant to planning.

Career Opportunities

The course is accredited by the Irish Planning Institute and the Royal Town Planning Institute, the two established and internationally recognised accreditation bodies for spatial planning in Ireland. Many graduates use their knowledge to supplement their existing professional practice, while others use the course to reskill into planning positions within local authorities, agencies, government bodies, or private practice.

Module Listing

Year One

• Semester 1:
  • Cultural Heritage & Urbanism [Mandatory]
  • History & Theory of Planning [Mandatory]
  • Planning Law & Institutions II [Mandatory]
  • Planning Practice - Logbooks [Mandatory]
  • Research Techniques [Mandatory]
  • Rural Environment & Planning [Mandatory]
  • Socio-economic Environment [Mandatory]
  • Technology & Infrastructure [Mandatory]
  • Urban Design [Mandatory]
  • Prior Learning [Elective]
• Semester 2:
  • Rural Environment & Planning [Mandatory]
  • History & Theory of Planning [Mandatory]
  • Planning Law & Institutions II [Mandatory]
  • Socio-economic Environment [Mandatory]
  • Research Techniques [Mandatory]
  • Technology & Infrastructure [Mandatory]
  • Cultural Heritage & Urbanism [Mandatory]
  • Planning Practice - Logbooks [Mandatory]
  • Urban Design [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Semester 1:
  • Local Area Plan [Mandatory]
  • National & Regional Planning [Mandatory]
  • Planning Practice - Logbooks [Mandatory]
  • Planning Techniques [Mandatory]
  • Transport & Urban Development [Mandatory]
• Semester 2:
  • Local Area Plan [Mandatory]
  • National & Regional Planning [Mandatory]
  • Planning Practice - Logbooks [Mandatory]
  • Planning Techniques [Mandatory]
  • Transport & Urban Development [Mandatory]

Year Three

• Semester 1:
  • Planning Practice - Logbooks [Mandatory]
  • Dissertation [Mandatory]

Schedule

The course is presented on a part-time basis through a five-semester cycle. During each of the first four semesters, over a two-year period, lectures will be delivered in a blended format. This will include weekly lectures online and face-to-face lectures taking place over 8 full Fridays and Saturdays per year. Attendance will be required for one additional weekend seminar per semester. During the fifth and final semester, students work primarily on their dissertation.

Student Testimonials

• "I had been working in the private planning field when I came upon the MSc in Spatial Planning at TU Dublin. The beauty of the course is that it is delivered on a part-time basis over 2.5 years and the lectures are well timed to cater for those working full-time."
• "The MSc Spatial Planning provided an in-depth, and practical, approach to exploring the modern day challenges faced by the planning sector."
• "This course is perfectly tailored for those with busy schedules and in full-time employment. The blended and flexible learning approach, made doing this Masters possible from my own perspective."