Transport Planning MSc

Program Overview

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Transport Planning MSc

Overview

The Transport Planning MSc is a highly practical course that equips practitioners with the technical and critical thinking skills to help shape healthier, safer, more sustainable transport systems and policies.

Course Structure

You will study four core modules including a dissertation which will involve conducting a piece of in-depth research on a topic within the transport sector. You will also study three option modules. You will learn through a lively mix of tutorials, seminars, workshops, group projects and independent research – with a focus on interactive discussion. You will develop statistics and data analysis skills in our well-equipped computer labs.

Core Modules

Analysing Transport Data

This module introduces you to the use of secondary quantitative data in the transport context. You will analyse real-life transport datasets, such as police injury data, travel surveys, and Census travel-to-work data, using advanced Excel techniques and specialist statistical software, learning how to interpret and present your results.

20 credits

Research Dissertation (Transport)

Your dissertation will draw on techniques and background material introduced on the Masters course, and incorporate original analysis. This module provides you with an opportunity for an in-depth study on a topic within the transport sector. Lectures are provided on research methods in Semester One, interlinked with the Statistics and Survey Methods for Transport module which provides a background in relevant techniques, including an introduction to GIS. Work is undertaken in Semester Two of the full-time course, or in the case of part-time students in Semester Two of Year 2 or Year 3. Final submission is in early September.

60 credits

Transport Economics

Through this module you will examine the application of relevant economic principles to the transport sector, including fundamental topics of transport economics and new frontiers in the field. Topics you will explore include economic principles and assessment techniques used in transport planning, pricing and costing of transport, monitoring the performance and impacts of transport schemes and plans, elements of operational and commercial management of transport system and services.

20 credits

Transport Policy and Politics

This module introduces you to debates within transport policy and politics past, present and future. It draws on material from different disciplines in placing a range of relevant controversies, ideas and issues within their theoretical, policy and political contexts. You will cover specific levels of decision-making for different topics, and learn about non-governmental organisations, including lobby groups, that influence transport policy making.

20 credits

Option Modules

Airline and Airport Management

The module explores the nature of demand for air travel and prospects for the future. It considers the role of economic regulation and impact of deregulation. Governance, economic and commercial characteristics of both the airline and airport industries are investigated and different airline models such as low-cost airlines, charter carriers and airline alliances are examined. The airline-airport relationship together with the role of marketing is evaluated. The scope for airports in developing commercial (non-aeronautical) sources of revenues, including those related to events and conferences, is also assessed. In addition, the broader impacts of air travel on the economy and the environment are explored.

20 credits

Environmental Policy, Assessment and Climate Change

This module provides background on environmental policy and climate change. It sets out the theoretical framework to start with, and then the international context for sustainable development, energy efficiency and climate change.

It explores implications for the built environment in a range of development contexts, includes analysis of key policy concerns and planning and design responses comparatively across different institutional and cultural contexts.

20 credits

Freight Transport and Logistics Services

In this module you will examine the changing market for freight transport and logistics services in a European and increasingly global context. You will evaluate economic principles in terms of costs and revenues, and assess the changing demands for new services. You will investigate fleet operations and warehouse management in relation to technology and market requirements, and you will also explore strategic options for service providers.

20 credits

Land Use, Planning and Transport

The module focuses on the interaction between transport and land-use, including the effect of land-use on travel patterns and the contribution of transport to development. Topics you will explore include the transport and land use feedback cycle, framework of laws and regulations of land use planning, land use strategies to promote sustainable mobility, principles of LUTI modelling, sustainable accessibility planning, perspectives on planning major transport infrastructure.

20 credits

Modifying Transport Behaviour: Theory, Practice and Politics

This module will provide a compelling insight into the state of the art of modifying behaviour in transport, from well-established interventions (such as speed limits) to relatively new ones (such as personal travel planning).

20 credits

Streets, Places and Active Transport

This module focuses on traffic and streets, where traffic refers to a range of urban transport modes. It covers movement and place functions in urban contexts, including tensions within and between each. You will analyse approaches to evaluating urban street environments, particularly focused on walking and cycling. This incorporates comparisons of methodological approaches used within different streetscape contexts and within different countries.

20 credits

Professional Accreditation

This course is approved by the TPP Professional Standards Committee as meeting the educational requirements for the Transport Planning Professional qualification.

Students who successfully complete the Transport Planning MSc course will be exempt from the examination requirements for membership of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant subject area.
• Any relevant transport experience would further enhance your application.
• Part-time students should normally be employed within a relevant sector of transport for the duration of the course.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
• Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £1,100 (Price per 20-credit module)
• When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
• Find out how we set our tuition fees.
• Paying your fees: If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments.
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
• Funding: There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
• Brian Large Bursary Fund: The Brian Large Bursary Fund provides financial support to UK students that are studying full-time and part-time on the Transport Planning MSc.
• The Rees Jeffreys Bursary: The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund provides financial support to students who would not be able to afford to study without the bursary and have a strong commitment to developing a new career or further developing their existing career centred in the Transport Sector in the UK.

International

• International tuition fee: £1,778 (Price per 20-credit module)
• When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
• Find out how we set our tuition fees.
• Paying your fees: If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments.
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
• Funding: There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Teaching and Assessment

• How you’ll be taught: Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• How you’ll be assessed: Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories: practical and coursework.

Research Groups

• Active Travel Academy
• Mobilities and Transport Research Group

Supporting You

• 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

• Marylebone Campus: 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.