Planning Practice and Research (MSc)
Introduction
The starting point for taking on the professional challenges of helping make liveable, prosperous places.
The MSc Planning Practice and Research aims to:
- Develop core planning skills, applicable at a range of spatial scales;
- Nurture professional judgement in relation to appropriate framing of problems and generating solutions;
- Develop specialised skills, especially in undertaking, analysing and using research in the planning process.
The course is underpinned by a recognition that planning is undertaken in diverse (and sometimes unjust) societies, and that objectives and approaches to planning can be subjects of debate and struggle. The course attempts to provide students with resources to be sensitive to, and be able to form independent judgements on, these ethical, political and professional matters. While its focus is on planning in developed capitalist societies, especially the UK/Europe, its understanding of planning is comparative, and the skills taught are applicable in many planning contexts.
There is a mix of teaching methods and learning environments, including projects for 'real life' clients. There is an expectation that students will supplement class/workshop sessions by independently exploring library and internet resources.
Course Recognition
This MSc is a combined planning course and is itself fully recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The course provides the full RTPI educational requirement, so that successful completion of the MSc with the necessary RTPI practice requirements allows direct membership entry to the Institute. For further details visit the Royal Town Planning Institute website.
Course Structure
The MSc Planning Practice and Research is offered as a one year full-time or a two year part-time course.
It is divided into two parts:
Part 1 comprises a teaching programme of compulsory modules over two semesters (or four semesters for the part-time course).
Part 2 comprises an individual dissertation and is the principal component of the specialist focus of the course, which is the undertaking, analysis and use of research in planning. A topic is selected by each student in consultation with members of staff. The topic must be planning related. In the case of students from countries outside the UK, the dissertation may focus on a planning issue in their country of origin. An important aspect of the dissertation process is student reflection on what is involved in researching a planning topic.
The following list relates to the modules for the academic year 2012/13. Please note that these may be subject to change.
Course Modules
- ‘Live’ Project
- Planning and Real Estate
- Planning: Nature, Purpose and Instruments
- Research Methods for Planning Practice
- Site Planning, Design and Development
- Spatial Planning
Assessment is through a range of coursework, including seminar papers, reports and project work. Where required there is room for flexibility in setting alternative, comparable assessments.
Study Visits
A number of short field study visits may be arranged during the course. The School does partly subsidise these trips but students should allow for travelling and subsistence expenses. These visits help integrate student learning.
Employability
The course offers the knowledge and expertise for a variety of careers. Principal graduate employment destinations are UK and EU town and regional planning organisations, including local and regional authorities, national government agencies, private planning consultancy firms and voluntary organisations. We also have students employed in North America and Australia.
Suitability
This MSc is suitable for graduates in subjects such as economics, geography, architecture, sociology, engineering, politics and history. Applications from candidates with good degrees in other disciplines and/or mature students with a relevant professional background are also welcome. The course is specifically aimed at those wishing to gain a professional qualification in planning.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a first or second class Honours degree in an appropriate subject. A minimum standard in English language of IELTS 7 or equivalent will be required for students whose first language is not English. Pre-course English Language tuition is available.
Year of Entry: 2012
See this course on the University's Coursefinder website.
