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RTPI / British Chambers of Commerce Bursary

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has designed a UK-wide scheme with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Planning skills fund to offer a Planning partial-fee scholarship to Cardiff University for 2026/27.

Together, the BCC and the RTPI wish to make a difference – providing opportunities for individuals who may not have been able to afford to consider studying for a career in planning and, at the same time, boosting planning services.

The first cohort of BCC scholarship 'trainee planners' – from a diverse range of backgrounds – will commence their studies in September 2025 and will be available to work in local authorities by the Autumn of 2026.

Mentoring and work experience opportunities, provided by the BCC, will also be part of the package. In return, at the end of their course of study, each recipient would be expected to work in a council planning role for at least two years.

Eligibility

  1. The Scholarship is an award £5000 to support the fees of one eligible Postgraduate Taught student undertaking the MSc Spatial Planning and Development programme (2026/27 fees are set at £10,700 per student).
  2. Eligible students must undertake the programme on a full-time basis. Year 1 enrolment must have started 2026/27.
  3. Eligible students must not be receiving funding from an Employer who may be paying their tuition fees.
  4. Eligible students must be classed as a Home student for the purposes of tuition fees.
  5. Eligible students must intend to progress to Chartered membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and pursue a career in the field of planning
  6. Show a keen interest and demonstrate intent to pursue a public sector career in planning following completion of the programme.
  7. Demonstrate a commitment to shaping inclusive and equitable communities.
  8. Be committed to discussing their experiences of the programme and value of the scholarship opportunity.

Academic criteria

  1. Applicants must meet the specific course entry criteria for the MSc Spatial Planning and Development programme.
  2. Bursary payments will not be made in repeat years.

Application process

Applications must be made online through the Application form

  1. Applicants will be short-listed by a School panel.
  2. Decisions on the award of the scholarship will be made by the panel.
  3. Decisions will be based on the eligibility criteria and application.
  4. The panel’s decision is final and the panel shall not be obliged to provide reasons for their decisions.
  5. Successful applicant will be notified by email, including details of when payments will be made.
  6. Successful applicant must agree to these Terms and Conditions before any payments are made.
  7. Successful applicant must agree to the Conditions of Acceptance for the bursary before any payments are made.
  8. Applicant must meet the specific course entry criteria for their course and have been offered (either conditional or unconditional) and accepted an offer on the course prior to application.
  9. Deadline for applications 10am 1st August 2026.

Operational terms and conditions

  1. Bursaries will be awarded to a successful student, subject to the availability of the limited award.
  2. The bursary will be paid directly towards the student tuition fees charged by Cardiff University.
  3. Cardiff University will inform the successful applicant of how and when these payments will be made at the earliest available opportunity.
  4. The student must have completed their registration onto year 1 of their course to receive the bursary. This entails completing the online registration form and providing original evidence of their personal identity in accordance with University regulations, and paying the residual balance of any fees.
  5. Students who withdraw from their studies before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the bursary and any additional payments will be terminated. No extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration.
  6. Students who transfer to an ineligible course before receiving full payment of the award will become ineligible for the bursary.
  7. Applicants who receive the bursary will still be entitled to apply for student loans, scholarships and other bursaries, subject to their eligibility.
  8. The University’s decision on the allocation of the bursary in accordance with these terms and conditions is final. There is no appeal process.

Contact

For more information, please contact the School of Geography and Planning.