Skip to main content

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.

academic-school

Your future in focus

97% of our postgraduate taught 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. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2020/21).

rosette

Research with impact

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

star

Highly-ranked

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

Courses

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.

Social Science Research Methods (Environmental Planning) (MSc)

Full 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

International Planning and Development (MSc)

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. Professor Alison Brown gives an overview of our programme.

Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc)

This MSc enables students to develop critical learning and applied skills in the field of contemporary sustainability. Dr Andrea Collins gives an overview of the programme.

Urban Design (MA)

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. Dr Hesam Kamalipour gives an overview of the programme.

Environment and Development (MSc)

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. Dr Antonio Ioris gives an overview of the programme.

Transport and Planning (MSc)

Gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to create the transport systems of the future. Dr Dimitris Potoglou gives an overview of the programme.

Spatial Planning and Development (MSc)

The MSc Spatial Planning and Development aims to put you on the road to being a good planner. Dr Sina Shahab gives an overview of the programme.

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

Staff member talking

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.

Image of a student in front of a laptop

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).

Female student

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.

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

Explore Cardiff University

Student getting advice

Student support

Get free, impartial and confidential advice on disability and dyslexia, money, careers, counselling and more.

Postgraduate students applying for a postgraduate loan

Funding your studies

Learn more about the scholarships, UK government support packages and student loans available to you.

Kitchen (accessible)

Browse our accommodation

We have a variety of halls and houses to suit your preferences, interests and budgets.

A student shopping in a mini mart

Living costs

See how far your money goes by using our living costs calculator.

Next steps

academic-school
book
icon-contact

Contact us

Ask a question via our enquiry form, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

icon-pen

How to apply

Everything you need to know about our application process.


Source: Contains HESA Data: Copyright Jisc 2023. Jisc cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data.