Geography and planning

Why study with us

Drawing on interdisciplinary social science and situated at the intersection of geography and planning, our research is dynamic and diverse. The aim is to better understand society, space and place for the development, management and sustainability of cities, regions and rural areas. Join us and help address the grand challenges faced by communities today.

Your future in focus

98% of our graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after the end of their course (HESA data).

Research with impact

Placed 9th in the UK for research power (REF 2021).

Highly-ranked

Top 100 globally for geography (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022) and 14th in the UK for town and country planning and landscape (The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).

Environment and Development (MSc)

Full time

This MSc in Environment and Development aims to investigate, question and explore alternatives to the prevailing tensions and interdependencies between development and socio-ecological systems.

International Planning and Development (MSc)

Full time

Urban planning is fascinating and tackles the challenges of change and development in an urbanising world, and this course is designed to help you shape your future career in professional practice.

International Planning and Urban Design (MSc)

Full time

This MSc will provide you with a broad education in international planning and a specialism in urban design, enabling you to acquire the knowledge and critical understanding to make a significant contribution to the management and design control processes of cities.

Planning Practice (PgCert)

Part time

Allows students with a specialised Masters degree in planning to top up their planning knowledge and gain professional membership of the RTPI.

Social Science Research Methods (Environmental Planning) (MSc)

Full time, Part time

Advanced training in research methods preparing you for PhD study.

Spatial Planning and Development (MSc)

Full time, Part time

The MSc Spatial Planning and Development aims to put you on the road to being a good planner.

Sustainability Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc)

Full time, Part time

This MSc enables students to develop critical learning and applied skills in the field of contemporary sustainability.

Transport and Planning (MSc)

Full time

Gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to create the transport systems of the future.

Urban and Regional Development (MSc)

Full time, Part time

This MSc provides the opportunity to understand socio-economic change in different towns, cities, regions and city-regions globally.

Urban Design (MA)

Full time

Run in conjunction with the Welsh School of Architecture, this course enables students to learn by deploying design, theory, and development and design control practices, which inform urban design processes.

Geography and Planning (PhD)

Full-time, part-time

As a top-rated research school with the ambition to play a leading role in academic and policy debates at national and international levels, we aim to recruit committed research students for the pursuit of innovative, cutting-edge research at PhD level.

Our videos

Planning for tomorrow

Planners play an intrinsic role in tackling climate change, paving the way to a sustainable, viable and vibrant future. We apply critical thinking and practical knowledge in solving economic, environmental and social problems to address the grand challenges faced by human societies and places today.

In my view the greatest asset of the School of Geography and Planning are the staff themselves, who not only deliver exceptional lectures and seminars, but have always been happy and available to meet when I am struggling with a particular piece of work, or need guidance dissertation topics and future study.

Cole Cornford Transport and Planning (MSc) 2021

Learn more about us

Globally aware

We live in an increasingly interconnected and global world. Understanding and appreciating different perspectives, cultures and customs is important and enhances our work and our lives. When you join us in Cardiff, you’ll become part of a truly global community, with staff and students from almost 30 countries including Australia, China, Iran, Pakistan and the USA.

Get ahead with accreditation

Our master's degree programmes are internationally respected with several recognised for their quality and specialist nature by major UK professional bodies including the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).

Transformative research

We have a diverse portfolio of research covering economic, social, political and cultural change and the built and natural environments. Organised around four research groups, our aim is to recruit committed PhD students for the pursuit of innovative, cutting-edge and impactful research. Join us and play a leading role in future academic and policy debates at national and international levels.

Transforming places through critical thinking and public engagement

We’re based in the iconic, Grade 1-listed Glamorgan Building, located in Cardiff’s civic centre and just a short walk from the heart of the city. While our home is historic, our facilities are fit for the 21st century with a wide range of modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms, design studios, and computer labs.

The computer teaching facilities are fully supported by technical staff and are equipped with all packages relevant to your studies, including database management, computer-aided design, GIS and statistical and graphical software.

The Transport and Planning programme offers a wide and varied selection of modules. They range from analytical and technical modules which look at travel behaviour, transport models, data acquisition and analysis to modules which consider wider transport policies and strategies. It’s a mix that helps prepare you for a future in transport planning or transport modelling.

Duncan Lawrence Transport and Planning (MSc) 2019

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Next steps

View our geography and planning postgraduate taught courses

Explore our courses for 2022 entry.

View our geography and planning postgraduate research courses

Explore our courses for 2022 entry.

Contact us

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How to apply

Everything you need to know about our application process.

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.

Contains HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2022. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.