Program Overview

Master of Science in City and Regional Planning

The Master of Science in City and Regional Planning is a 2-year program that qualifies students to understand and shape the cities of the future. The program focuses on place making, spatial analysis, conceptual development and design, planning processes, infrastructure and communities, and renewable energy solutions.

About the Programme

Cities and urban areas are growing fast, and there is an increasing need for urban planners who understand sustainable urban development and design. The program aims to provide students with advanced knowledge within city and regional planning, and specific insight into selected topics.

Career Prospects

The program's combination of courses in technology, design, and social sciences gives students a wide skillset, and thus a large spectrum of job opportunities. Typical examples include:

• Public administration (municipalities, county authorities, government agencies, and ministries)
• Private consulting firms (architectural offices and urban development companies, planning and engineering consultancies, construction and contractors, property developers and housing developers)
• Research institutions, universities and colleges

A degree in City and Regional Planning provides a basis for work with:

• Preparation of land-use and zoning plans in accordance with the Norwegian Planning and Building Act
• Design of public spaces and regional development
• Decision support through studies and analyses
• Climate adaptation and nature-based solutions
• Smart city development and digital tools
• Public participation and citizen dialogue
• Project management in development projects

Further Education

Graduates can qualify for admission to the PhD programme in Science and Technology with relevant specialisation at the University of Stavanger.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the master's degree programme in City and Regional Planning, students shall have acquired the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

• Has advanced knowledge within city and regional planning, and specific insight into selected topics.
• Has in-depth knowledge about scientific theory and methods within city and regional planning.
• Can apply knowledge to new topics within city and regional planning.
• Can analyse relevant problems while taking planning history, traditions, methods and social responsibility into account.
• Can understand and evaluate technical and aesthetic aspects of existing urban environment as well as propose new ones.

Skills

• Can participate and lead interdisciplinary planning processes on city, region and neighbourhood scales.
• Can analyse a space in terms of topography, history, built environment and traffic.
• Can propose compound master plans and small-scale designs.
• Can shape sustainable, functional, safe and resilient environments.
• Can critically assess consequences associated with proposed land use, building development and transport plans.

General Competence

• Can analyse professional, theoretical and research-ethical problems.
• Can apply knowledge and skills to new areas in order to implement advanced tasks and projects.
• Can convey extensive pieces of independent work and master planning terminology orally, written and graphically.
• Can communicate planning problems, analyses and conclusions, to both experts and the public.
• Can critically assess and reflect on literature and projects on city and regional planning.
• Can contribute to original thinking and innovation.

Study Plan and Courses

The program consists of compulsory courses and elective packages. Compulsory courses include:

• Urban Analysis and Planning Methods
• Placemaking
• New Technologies and Ideas for Sustainable City Development
• Sustainable City Regions
• Selected Topics in City and Regional Planning
• Research Methods in Risk, Safety, and Security Studies
• Master Thesis in City and Regional Planning

Elective packages include:

• Sustainable Urban Development and Mobility
• Renewable Urban Energy
• Urban Safety and Resilience
• Management

Academic Requirements

A bachelor's degree within planning, civil engineering, architecture, or equivalent is required. The degree must include minimum 30 ECTS credits in physical planning, city and regional planning, landscape engineering, environmental or urban management, transport planning, technical planning, or equivalent.

Application and Admission

International and local applicants have different deadlines and application procedures, depending on citizenship, language skills and educational background.

Student Life

The University of Stavanger offers a unique student life, with opportunities to get close to the industry and gain practical experience.

Student Exchange

Students can go on exchange to one of the university's partner institutions abroad as part of their studies, gaining a unique education and improving their career opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is urban planning, really? Urban planning includes all activities that develop and shape the places we live in.
• Do I have to be good at drawing when I study urban planning? No, but you will use drawing and CAD in the daily work with tasks.
• Is the study programme in English? Yes, all teaching takes place in English.
• Where can I work, and what can I work on when I study urban planning? You can work in public agencies, private companies, or research institutions, on tasks such as physical planning, design, and decision support.