Certificate in Spatial Planning Studies

Program Overview

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Spatial Planning Studies

Certificate

Overview

Our Certificate in Spatial Planning Studies provides an access route to our RTPI and RICS-accredited MSc in Spatial Planning. It is ideal for students who do not have the usual educational qualifications necessary for entry onto the course.

The course provides you with a general, yet critical, understanding of the planning process and some of the key issues and themes in contemporary spatial planning.

The School of the Built Environment performs a leading role in research and consultancy. Clients and projects cover subjects from:

• local concerns
• multinational organisations
• government
• industry.

Our research feeds directly into our teaching so you will learn directly from the most current areas of practice.

The course is a one-year part-time (one day per week) undergraduate-level course.

Course Details

Course Structure

The course comprises four modules. These modules have been carefully chosen to provide a balance of basic and advanced modules, and to offer you the opportunity to study basic themes in spatial planning. As well as some specific areas such as transport and community planning.

In Semester 1 you will complete Sustainable Development and Professional Practice and Transport and Society.

In Semester 2 you will complete Spatial Planning and Independent Study in Planning.

Learning and Teaching

Our teaching methods include:

• lectures
• directed reading
• workshops
• seminars
• practical and project work.

Each of the four single-credit modules requires 150 hours of study over 15 weeks. This includes 36 hours of staff contact time.

Formal teaching takes place over the first 12 weeks. The final weeks are available for examinations, if included as part of the module assessment.

Assessment

We use a range of assessment methods, including:

• essays
• seminar papers
• written examinations
• in-class tests
• project work
• design and verbal presentations
• workshops
• simulations
• practical exercises.

Field Trips

Some modules may have Field Trips (day or half day) associated with them. Where these form a compulsory element of the module the transport costs come at no additional cost.

Study Modules

Taught Modules

• Introduction to Spatial Planning

This provides an overall introduction to the discipline of planning. In the course you'll learn the main purposes of land use planning in general and the characteristics of the UK planning system in particular. The module provides the overall context and overall framework in which planning takes place.

• Strategic Planning and Policy

This module examines the nature of and varied approaches to strategic planning and policy. This includes regional, sub-regional, and cross-boundary planning, associated governance forms, major infrastructure planning, and planning for strategic issues such as economic growth, climate change, environmental management, and housing.

• Sustainable Development and Professional Practice

Investigate the concept of sustainability and sustainable development in the planning and delivery of urban infrastructure. You’ll explore discussions about how to deliver sustainable development that usually include consideration of three overlapping areas of focus:

• environment
• society
• economy.

You’ll tackle challenges in how to navigate a path through these overlapping issues that will lead to the delivery of a sustainable development. You’ll develop the skills required in professional practice including:

• research
• information evaluation and assimilation
• reflective practice
• report writing
• presenting information.

Independent Study

• Independent Study in Planning

This module allows you to research and report on an area of planning that is of most interest to you. Through directed research and study, you'll produce an extended essay or report that will deal in depth with the chosen topic. The detailed content and focus of this work will be agreed in advance with a personal supervisor. The Independent Study in Planning allows you to develop skills in independent learning in preparation for similar work that you'll be doing on the MSc in Spatial Planning course.

Research

The School of the Built Environment is widely recognised as a leading educator in environment, design and development subjects. We perform a leading role in research and consultancy, with clients and projects covering subjects from local concerns to multi-national organisations, government and industry.

Key areas of expertise and scholarship in the department form the research groups and units listed below. These research groups and units also comprise a substantial part of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD):

• Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
• Land Design and Development (LDD)
• Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)

We have links with universities worldwide, including Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Taiwan, Romanian, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland and most EU member states.

Careers

The Certificate in Spatial Planning Studies provides an entry qualification for the MSc in Spatial Planning which is accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

This dual accreditation makes MSc in Spatial Planning graduates attractive to both the public and private sectors of planning and related built environment employers.

Entry Requirements

This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.

Specific Entry Requirements

Standard entry to the course is open to those who have:

• GCSE, O-level (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• at least three years' suitable experience within the field of planning - in an advanced technical or administration post

Applicants who have two years' work experience in planning at the commencement of their studies, and hold at least one A-level at grade C will also be considered.

UK/EU applicants for MSc Spatial Planning who were unsuccessful because their undergraduate degree attainment was unsuitable, will be reconsidered for progression by completing this course to the required standard.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.

OR

An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

Tuition Fees

2025/26

Home (UK) part time: £5,100

2026/27

Home (UK) part time: £5,250

Funding Your Studies

Financial Support and Scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All Financial Support and Scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Additional Costs

Compulsory Costs

• Compulsory field trips: Included in fees £0

Optional Costs

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online.: From £30
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand.: £20-60 per book
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills): £94-265 per week
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs): £122-180 per week
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowns and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41.: Typically £0-200
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages.: From £10