Planning & Development

To gain expertise in key aspects of planning theory, policy and practice.



The courses’s primary focus is to provide professional planning skills. It is designed to allow students to develop knowledge on planning in a flexible manner as the 60 CATS can be completed full-time in one semester or accumulated more flexibly over up to two years. You can learn the use of techniques (GIS, design software, statistical analysis) but more importantly, how to apply them to solve problems, create new solutions for the built environment and understand the complexity of environmental management.

Optional Modules

Introduction to Planning Theory and Practice (10 credits)

Planning Skills and Ethics (10 credits)

Design in the Built Environment (10 credits)

International Planning Studies (10 credits)

Property Development (10 credits)

Professional Practice Project in Environmental Planning (20 credits)

GIS and Spatial Analysis (20 credits)

Community Planning and Regeneration (10 credits)

Planning and Environmental Governance (10 credits)

Planning Law and Practice (10 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in any discipline.



Applicants who do not meet the above academic requirement but have appropriate acceptable experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Supplementary form to be completed along with application.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 30th June 2026 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.

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:


Formal examination


Individual and group project submissions


60 credit 20,000 individual dissertation that combines oral presentation and written submission

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

Our graduates end up in leading positions in central and local government and as well as in planning consultancies in the private sector.