Program Overview

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Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Chartered Town Planner

The Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Chartered Town Planner is a program that combines academic study with practical experience, leading to a Master's degree and professional accreditation as a Chartered Town Planner.

Program Details

• Standard code: ST0536
• Level: Higher/Degree Apprenticeship
• School: School of Architecture and Environment
• Duration: Typically four years for entry point 1 and two years for entry point 2
• Delivery: Day release, with a September intake
• Programme leader: Katie McClymont

Accreditations and Partnerships

• Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

About

The Chartered Town Planner apprenticeship is designed to provide students with the expertise needed to become a Chartered Town Planner. The program benefits from modern, well-equipped facilities on Frenchay Campus, guest speakers, and residential trips.

Why Study for a Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship?

The Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship (Level 7) enables students to progress their career in planning, whether they are newly appointed or experienced in the planning industry. This apprenticeship is suitable for anyone working in planning across the public, private, or voluntary sectors.

Why UWE Bristol?

UWE Bristol has delivered high-quality planning courses for over 40 years, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate planning courses. The program is research-informed and delivered by a team with a mix of academic and professional experience.

Entry

Typical Offers

Entry Requirements

Entry Point One (Four Years)

• Tariff points: 104
• Contextual tariff: See the contextual offers page
• GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Literature or Language and Mathematics, or equivalent
• A-level subjects: No specific subjects required
• EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required
• Access: No specific subjects required
• Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required
• Irish Highers: No specific subjects required
• T Levels: No specific subjects required

Entry Point Two (Two Years)

• Normally requires an honours degree of 2.2 or above
• Suitable for graduates of degrees from any academic background, particularly social sciences, geography, and planning

ESFA Eligibility Requirements

• Be aged 16 years or over
• Be an EEA citizen (with Right to Work in the UK) and not be in any other kind of full-time education
• Be employed in a role linked to the appropriate industry for the apprenticeship training
• Receive at least the legal minimum wage for apprentices
• Commit to at least 6 hours per week of apprenticeship training during normal working hours
• Have support from your employer, including a mentor/line manager

Structure

Content

The Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship takes four years from entry point one and two years from entry point two, studying on a day-release basis.

Entry Point One

• Year one:
  • Healthy Sustainable Communities
  • People and Planning
  • Researching the City
• Year two:
  • Independent Project
  • Planning Global Cities
  • Professional Development and Practice

Entry Point Two

• Year one:
  • Plan Making
  • Implementation and Design Quality
• Year two:
  • History and Theory of Urban Planning
  • Dissertation
  • Agency Project (work-based learning)
• Optional modules:
  • Transport Policy and Finance
  • Changing Travel Behaviour
  • Urban Design
  • Grassroots Planning
  • Healthy Cities
  • Major Project Studio

Learning and Teaching

This apprenticeship combines class contact with online webinars and tutorials, using a mix of lectures, workshops, and seminars. Students are taught on Frenchay Campus with access to modern, well-equipped facilities.

Study Time

Students are expected to attend for approximately six hours each week during term time and commit to additional time for guided reading, assessments, and course-based activities online.

Assessment

Assessment methods include essays, reports, portfolios, research, individual and group presentations, and a structured program of work experience.

Features

Professional Accreditation

The Chartered Town Planner Degree (Level 7) Apprenticeship is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), satisfying the educational requirements of the RTPI.

Placements

During year four, students complete the 'Agency Project', a six-week work placement either at their existing employer or another organization with their employer's permission.

Fieldwork

There are various field trip opportunities throughout the apprenticeship, including local trips and a residential trip in year two.

Study Facilities

Students have access to student support and modern facilities on Frenchay Campus, including computer laboratories equipped with the latest professional software.

Careers

After completing the apprenticeship, students achieve an MSc Urban Planning award, satisfying the educational requirements of the RTPI, and become a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The apprenticeship supports development in the workplace and helps students understand the career landscape in their sector, planning for longer-term ambitions.