Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master of Planning (MPlan) Degree

The Master of Planning (MPlan) degree is a dual-accredited program that provides students with a comprehensive education in urban planning. This four-year program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to become a Chartered Town Planner.

Course Overview

The MPlan degree is a full-time program that consists of four stages. In the first stage, students build a firm foundation in urban planning, learning to "read" a city and understand the importance of design and sustainability. The second stage focuses on professional development and skills, with students learning vital research methods and developing an understanding of professionalism in the planning sector. The third stage involves a year of paid professional practice, which contributes towards the student's professional experience for chartership. In the final stage, students return to the university to complete a final year of advanced professional modules in planning.

Quality and Ranking

The MPlan degree is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The program is ranked 10th in the UK for Town and Country Planning, Landscape category, according to The Complete University Guide 2026. The university is also ranked among the top 140 universities globally, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.

Modules and Learning

The MPlan degree consists of a range of compulsory and optional modules, including:

• Planning Processes
• Design Awareness and Communication
• Economics of Development I
• Environment and Sustainability
• Social Worlds
• Understanding Place: Methods and Perspectives
• Shaping Towns and Cities
• Planning for a Better World

Students also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, including:

• Participation: Theories and Practices
• Houses and Homes
• Design & Neighbourhood
• Understanding Cities
• Digital Civics
• Urban Infrastructures: A Lens on the City
• Study Visit
• Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning
• Study Abroad for Stage 2

Opportunities

The MPlan degree provides students with a range of opportunities, including:

• Work placements: Students complete a year of paid professional practice, which contributes towards their professional experience for chartership.
• Study abroad: Students can choose to spend a semester studying in Europe as part of a study abroad exchange.
• Research skills: Students develop high-level research and presentation skills through their dissertation on a planning topic of their choice.

Facilities and Environment

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has world-renowned expertise in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design. Students have access to a dedicated planning studio with computing facilities and social space.

Your Future

Graduates of the MPlan degree are in high demand, with many going on to pursue accredited Chartered Town Planner status. The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to succeed in a range of careers, including:

• Local authorities
• Private planning consultancies
• Utility companies
• Large retail businesses
• Transport organizations
• Environmental and conservation organizations

Entry Requirements

The entrance requirements for the MPlan degree include:

• A-Level: ABB
• International Baccalaureate: A minimum of 32 points with three subjects at Higher level grade 5 or above
• Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications: Select your qualification to view the entrance requirements
• English Language requirements: IELTS, TOEFL, Pearsons, Duolingo English Test, or other qualifications

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

The tuition fees for the MPlan degree are:

• Home students: Not Set
• International students: £26,750

The university offers a range of scholarships, including Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships, to support EU and international students.

Conclusion

The Master of Planning (MPlan) degree is a comprehensive and accredited program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to become a Chartered Town Planner. With its strong reputation, excellent facilities, and range of opportunities, the MPlan degree is an excellent choice for students looking to pursue a career in urban planning.