City Planning & Design

Overview

In a world facing environmental, social and economic challenges, how we manage changes to our natural and built environments will be crucial for our future. In our urbanised world, how we design and plan our cities impacts our environmental sustainability, health and even happiness. This programme will equip you with the skills to be part of making progressive changes in your place.



In practice, there is a common tension between those developing and interpreting planning policy on the one hand, and the designers of cities on the other. This programme brings these groups together to engage in project-based learning. You will develop planning research, urban analysis and design skills before deciding whether to complete an urban design thesis or dissertation. Both of these options can be completed as work-based studies with opportunities for summer placements.



Course Content

The MSc is designed to allow you to develop real world project management skills through the completion of live design projects for local authority and community sector clients. You will also acquire urban and data analysis skills that you can use to develop strategic regeneration policies and design solutions. The course content gives theoretical and practical coverage across a wide variety of topics including:



• Green infrastructure

• The Inclusive City

• Urban Technological Developments

• Low carbon transition

• Critical Heritage Perspectives

• Cities and the e-economy

• Planning the Urban-Rural dialectic

• Demographic challenges

• The future of urban housing

• Health in future cities

Course Modules

Comparative Urban Design (20 CATS)

Spatial Literacy (20 CATS)

Urban Futures (20 CATS)

Future Planning Practice (20 CATS)

Planning for Sustainable Communities (20 CATS)

Approaches to Development (20 CATS)

Thesis (60 CATS)



Part-time Modules

EVP7039, EVP7040 & EVP7043 modules will be delivered in year one.

EVP7038, EVP7041, EVP7042 & EVP7044 modules will be delivered in year two.



Students failing more than 20 CATS points worth of taught modules will not normally be permitted to progress on to the Thesis Module. A student who has failed one 20 CATS taught module will normally be allowed to progress to the Thesis Module at the student's risk. If a student fails the Thesis Module on a second attempt, a post-graduate Diploma may be awarded.

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a relevant subject.



Applicants with qualifications below 2.2 Honours degree standard, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate acceptable experience. Supplementary form to be completed along with application.



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information.

http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

A combination of group reports, individual assignments, student presentations, portfolio submissions and role-play exercises with a thesis based on an independent research project over the third semester.

1 year (Full Time), 2 years (Part Time)

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Our graduates end up in leading positions in central and local government as well as in planning consultancies in the private sector. Others are employed as urban designers and in related industries such as Housing, Climate Change, Community Advocacy, Renewable Energy, Heritage and Construction.