Program Overview

Transport Planning PG Diploma

Overview

The Transport Planning Postgraduate Diploma 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 Details

• Attendance: Part-time day release - September 2026
• UK Fees: £1,100 (Price per 20-credit module)
• International Fees: £1,778 (Price per 20-credit module)
• Duration: 2 years
• Campus: Marylebone, Central London

Course Summary

The course can be taken full or part-time, and is designed both for people already working in transport planning and those who are looking to enter the sector. Those who obtain the Diploma have the option of pursuing the MSc in Transport Planning by undertaking a dissertation project.

Course Structure

You will study three core modules and 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
• 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.
  • 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

Programme Specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment, download the programme specification (PDF).

Entry Requirements

• UK:
  • 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.
• International:
  • 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. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
  • 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.
• 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. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
  • 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. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
• How you’ll be assessed: Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
  • Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
  • Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Research Groups

• Active Travel Academy
• Mobilities and Transport Research Group

Supporting You

• Student Hub: 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

• 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.
• Location: University of Westminster, 309 Regent Street, London W1B 2HW

Other Transport Planning Courses

• Transport Planning Postgraduate Certificate: The Transport Planning Postgraduate Certificate requires you to complete the modules on Transport Policy and Politics, Transport Economics, and one additional 20-credit module from the Transport Planning MSc course. This Postgraduate Certificate typically takes one year to complete on a part-time basis.
• Transport Planning Postgraduate Diploma: If you take the Transport Planning Postgraduate Diploma (detailed on this page), you will need to complete six modules (totalling at least 120 credits) from the Transport Planning MSc. These must include Transport Policy and Politics, Transport Economics, and Analysing Transport Data. The Postgraduate Diploma typically takes one year to complete if studied full-time or two years if studied part-time. Those completing the Postgraduate Certificate can complete the Postgraduate Diploma by taking a further three modules.
• Transport Planning MSc: If you take the Transport Planning MSc, you will need to complete six modules (totalling 120 credits) from the available options as well as the Dissertation (60 credits). The modules must include Transport Policy and Politics, Transport Economics, and Analysing Transport Data. The MSc typically takes one year to complete if studied full-time, or two years if studied part-time. Those completing the Postgraduate Diploma can complete the MSc by taking the Dissertation.

Related Courses

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
• Air Transport Planning and Management MSc
• Urban and Regional Planning MA