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Urban Planning MSc

Our Urban Planning master's provides a core introduction to planning issues, professional and theoretical debates and their application to live cases and places.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year:


Start date(s):

  • September 2024

Overview

Urban Planning is the understanding of the place-making processes that underpin places, society and the environment. It's also interdisciplinary, with professionals having an understanding of a range of topics. You'll gain an understanding of the fundamentals required for a successful career in planning or the wider built environment professions.

The Urban Planning master's is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The Development pathway is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and offers a RICS-accredited route to gain Chartered Surveyors status.

The course is suitable if:

  • you are new to studying planning
  • you have studied planning before but in a different regulatory context

Leading planning academics teach our modules. They are members of planning teaching staff in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Their world-leading research informs the teaching programme.

We teach the course on our Newcastle campus. You can study full-time over 12 months or part-time over two years.

Part-time study consists of the same modules and options as the full-time programme.

This Master's in Urban Planning has five specialist pathways. Choose a pathway to suit your individual needs, background and career aspirations.

This is a social theory degree with no design content. If you're interested in a design degree, please see our Urban Design MA, PGDip.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

What you'll learn

Through this Master's in Urban Planning, you'll learn:

  • fundamentals of planning
  • academic underpinnings of planning
  • principles of planning
  • legal, economic, social, political frameworks in which planning is situated

The majority of the course consists of a series of compulsory modules. They introduce you to the core values and principles of planning. You'll build on these throughout the rest of your studies and professional life. The main focus of these modules is the UK system, complemented by international examples.

You'll also have a choice of optional modules. These help you to develop a specialisation in planning practice informed by the latest research.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

How you'll learn

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Facilities

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has excellent studio teaching facilities and our research suite provides designated space and equipment for each postgraduate researcher. Our facilities include:

  • studios
  • exhibition spaces
  • print room
  • seminar rooms
  • IT suites

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

  • matriculation
  • registration
  • tuition (or supervision)
  • library access
  • examination
  • re-examination
  • graduation

Find out more about:

Search for funding

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Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

How to apply


Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.


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Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

  • campus tours
  • on-campus open days
  • virtual open days
  • webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Vicky Young
Postgraduate Taught Secretary
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6004
Email: vicky.young1@ncl.ac.uk

Online

For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.

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