Regional & Urban Planning

MRUP Regional & Urban Planning
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
In today’s complex and rapidly changing world, with the threats posed by climate change, economic crises, energy security and rapid urban growth, planners face the challenge of creating places that combine environmental quality with a vibrant economy, quality of life and distributive justice. This one-year professional planning degree develops the requisite conceptual knowledge and practical skills required by planners in this increasingly complex environment. You will develop an understanding of the administrative, legal and policy frameworks in which spatial planning operates and the social, political, economic and environmental challenges facing planning. In addition, students develop practical skills for plan and policy making, including environmental assessment, retail assessment, public participation methods, development and project management, and GIS. Students will also engage with understanding the role of planning in public policy and sustainability and can avail of independent research or internship opportunities which are assigned on a competitive basis. The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in spatial planning and is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area. The School is a member of the Association of European Schools of Planning.

Autumn Trimester and Spring Trimester:
Planning: Institutions and Governance (10 Credits)
Planning Methods, Skills and Techniques (10 Credits)
Planning, Design and Development (10 Credits)
Environment and Sustainability (10 Credits)
Planning Studio: Plan Making (10 Credits)

One of the following modules:
Healthy and Sustainable Cities (10 Credits)
Sustainable Cities (10 Credits)
Rural and Landscape Planning (10 Credits)
Placemaking and Conservation (10 Credits)
Advanced GIS (10 Credits) (Subject to student already completing an appropriate GIS module)

Summer Trimester
Thesis (30 Credits)
Internship* (30 Credits)

*Please note that internships are assigned on a competitive basis and the number of internships available in any given year may vary. Students who are not offered an internship will be required to undertake the Thesis module as an alternative.

*Please note this is a new programme structure for September 2024 entrants and the modules may be subject to change.

- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a cognate discipline including Geography, Sociology, Economics, Politics, Social Science, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Property Economics, Surveying and/or equivalent relevant professional experience. Those with other degree qualifications may apply but will be required to undertake an interview.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

MRUP FT (T399)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
Rolling*

*Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

1 year full-time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.

Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunity
Graduates of the MRUP are to be found working as professional planners in the public and private sector, as GIS consultants, as policy advisors, property development consultants, and as community & rural development coordinators. Our graduates have found employment with: national and international planning agencies, government departments, local authorities including urban and rural authorities in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand; transportation agencies including the National Transport Authority; planning consultancy firms including Tom Philips and Associates, Brock McClure Planning and Development Consultants, and KPMG Future Analytics consulting; urban regeneration companies, large house builders including Glenveagh Properties; wind and solar energy companies including Eirgrid and ABO Wind, and environmental NGOs including An Taisce.