Urban and Regional Planning MSc/Diploma

  • Delivery: Full Time, Part Time, Distance Learning
  • Programme type: Taught Programme
  • Study location:
  • Edinburgh
  • Entry date:
  • January, September

Overview

Planning is going through an exciting time at the moment, and it is especially important that the School recruits creative people to respond to the challenges of the future. There is an increasing emphasis on the quality of our surroundings and how this influences our diverse population and the need to promote sustainable communities.

The government is encouraging urban regeneration, social inclusion and environmental sustainability, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has recently provided a new vision for planning and reviewed the delivery of postgraduate programmes. This programme links theoretical knowledge with practical skills to equip future planners with the ability to ask the right questions and find creative solutions to complex problems.

The full-time programme is recognised by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) under its Postgraduate Students Allowance Scheme. This means that a number of entrants normally resident in Scotland, and without any prior postgraduate qualification, may be eligible for a means-tested grant plus full payment of all approved fees by the SAAS. Students from elsewhere in the UK may be eligible for an award from their Local Education Authority or, in the case of Northern Ireland, from their Local Education and Library Board.

Professional recognition

This postgraduate programme equips students with the knowledge and skills they need to work as professional planners. The MSc gives full exemption from all the educational requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute. On completion most students find employment in planning, though this can be in a multitude of jobs and with a variety of employers – in local government, central government, development agencies and private sector consultants.

Graduate opportunities

This programme equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to work as professional planners and our strong links to practitioners and employers are a vital part of this.

Students have the opportunity to engage with industry in teaching and on research and coursework projects.

Graduates have a good record of finding employment in planning – in a variety of jobs and with a variety of employers – in local government, central government, development agencies and the private sector.

Programme content

The programme is also offered as a two year part-time option with courses available one day per week and is also available to independent distant learners. The programme has been structured around three core project-based courses:

  • The Strategic Spatial Vision Project: develop advanced understanding of, and skills in, the preparation and evaluation of spatial visions and strategies and competence in the professional skills of analysis, evaluation and prescription of policy in an urban context
  • Governance, Participation and Community Planning: To develop experience and understanding of community participation and engagement, and develop the soft skills of partnership working, through a practical exercise in a local community
  • Sustainable Design and Development: To develop a critical understanding of the complexity of urban design principles and practice, including sustainability issues and of the development process, incorporating evaluating the financial implications of development and the factors influencing the development decision.

These projects are supported by five core taught courses:

Spatial Planning

Semesters 1 & 2 (mandatory)

Introduces concepts of spatial planning at different spatial scales and reflection on the implementation and impact of planning policies

Planning Theories

Semesters 1 & 2 (mandatory)

Critical exploration of the key intellectual debates about planning theory and practice

Transport and environment

Semesters 1 & 2 (mandatory)

To develop a critical awareness of the nature and importance of transport and land use inter-relationships and the roles of urban managers in relation to these.

Social Sustainability

Semesters 1 & 2 (mandatory)

To introduce a range of ways of thinking about sustainability and equity spatially and across economies.

Urban Infrastructure and Resource Management

Semesters 1 & 2 (mandatory)

To introduce key concepts in urban drainage, flooding prevention, remediation of contaminated land, waste management and the design and management of open land.

In addition, students are expected to develop through their coursework and dissertation in depth knowledge in one of the following specialisms:

  • Environmental policy and management
  • Urban Design
  • Land and property markets

The programme also places importance on the preparation of a personal development plan (PDP) which links the learning experience to wider skills and employability of each student. The PDP is therefore seen as an integral part of the programme.

The educational aims of the programme are:

Comprehensive – to develop in students from a variety of first disciplines comprehensive and integrated understanding of the context, nature and theory of spatial planning which pursues sustainable development, and of its application in practice, as well as knowledge in depth of a named planning specialism.

Professional – to educate students at postgraduate level to the point at which they are ready to undertake preparation for the Assessment of Professional Competence in planning as required by the RTPI.

Promote wider skills – to develop in students a high level of the personal qualities required to pursue a career in planning, including creativity, professionalism, the habit of lifelong learning and critical reflection, and a positive response to change the workplace, the built environment and its governance.

Inclusive – to instil a respect for diversity, an appreciation of social inclusion as a goal of planning, and an awareness of the role that values and attitudes play in managing change in the built environment.

Problem Solving– to develop an advanced ability to define research and devise solutions to planning problems.

Interdisciplinary – to take advantage of the programme’s location in an urban studies discipline which includes teaching and research strengths in estate management and development, regeneration and housing, and which lies within a wider school of the built environment in Scotland, whilst also taking advantage of the wide-ranging international experience of academic staff.

Programme leader

Sarah McIntosh is a Chartered Town Planner with extensive experience of planning projects. She is widely experienced in market appraisals, area development initiatives, housing projects, environmental assessments and in the design, implementation and analysis of interview and surveys. She lectures on urban regeneration, evaluation and appraisal techniques, the planning and development process and urban policy.

Whilst working for Planning and Economic Consultants she worked on a number of Area Development and Policy Evaluation Studies, including the evaluation of housing projects and policies and in particular, the collection and the analysis of public authority data and policies. She has previously worked in the public sector and has considerable experience of the work and procedures of Local Authorities and other public agencies.

Entry requirements

For MSc level entry applicants must have:

  • Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in cognate and semi-cognate subject area. For PG conversion programmes, non-cognate degrees will be considered. Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

 

For PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:

  • Third class honours degree in a cognate or semi-cognate subject area PLUS 2 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level completed post qualification.
  • Cognate or semi-cognate ordinary degree PLUS 3-4 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level following graduation. 
  • Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and interview.  Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the number of successful applicants will be restricted. 

 

There is no entry at PG Certificate level except through exceptional agreement with approved learning partners.

 

Non-graduating study at masters level:

  • Entry is based on CV or on formal academic qualifications or graduate (or incorporated) membership of a relevant professional institution. 

English language requirements

 

If English is not the applicant’s first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above. 

Applicants who have previously successfully completed programmes delivered in the medium of English language will be required to provide documentary evidence of this.  Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree programme.   A minimum of one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

Distance learning students

Please note that independent distance learning students who access their studies online will be expected to have access to a PC/laptop and internet.

Tuition fees

Fees for this programme can be found on our Tuition fees page.

Scholarships & bursaries