Urban Regeneration & Development - Bolton Street & Grangegorman

Course Title: Master of Science in Urban Regeneration and Development
What is... Urban Regeneration & Development?
The Master of Science in Urban Regeneration and Development is a two-year part-time course that reflects on the challenges facing our existing city, town and village centres today in terms of the renewal of underutilised and decaying urban areas. The course equips students with the knowledge and tools to tackle issues of urban decline in an effective and innovative manner. It will appeal to built environment practitioners and others who wish to broaden their skills in understanding and managing the processes and products of urban regeneration and development.

The course is designed to be multi-disciplinary and highly engaged with industry and civic society, encouraging best practice and reflectiveness, and to facilitate new research and innovation in urban regeneration. Sustainability is at the core of the programme, and shows how urban regeneration can benefit both the local and wider economy, environment and society.

The course exposes students to both traditional and emerging toolkits. Successful urban regeneration requires familiarity and competence in a range of skillsets, including but not exclusive to: development economics; urban planning and design; public engagement; and heritage conservation.

The requirements of the MSc in Urban Regeneration and Development are that each student must achieve a minimum number of 90 ECTS credits to successfully complete the course. A total of 30 credits are assigned to research techniques and the associated research dissertation (completed in year two). The remaining 60 credits are divided between two academic years and comprise of Core and Optional (elective) Modules.

Core Modules include the following:
• Urban Regeneration & Development Project (10 credits)
• Urban Regeneration & Development Fundamentals (5 credits)
• Funding, Feasibility & Economics of Regeneration (5 credits)
• Spatial Planning & Sustainable Communities (5 credits)
• Collaborative Planning (5 credits)
• Urban & Building Conservation (5 credits)
• Placemaking (5 credits)
• Research Techniques (5 credits)
• Dissertation (25 credits)

The elective aspect of the course varies but typically allows students to choose from a specified selection of taught modules selected to reflect the programme philosophy and learning outcomes.

A list of available Option Modules are issued at the commencement of each term, but typically includes modules such as:
• Housing Policy & Practice
• Economy and Sustainable Development
• Society and Sustainable Development
• Local Governance, Development and Innovation
• Introduction to Sustainable Transport and Mobility
• Property Development & Valuation Techniques
• Environmental Design & Management
• Behavioural Change and Active Travel
• International Field Trip (subject to availability and demand)'.

The international field-trip allows comparative analysis and immediate exposure to contemporary practice in a contrasting environment. This and other optional modules may be delivered in conjunction with other masters’ courses within the School.

'Applicants can choose to aim for a full level 9 postgraduate Master's Degree (90 credits), or seek a Postgraduate Diploma (60 credits) exit award, or Postgraduate Certificate (30 credits) exit award. For applicants wishing to pursue the Diploma or the Certificate option, please apply for the Master's programme, and it will be possible to seek partial fee refunds as applicable ”.

Minimum Entry Requirements?
Entry to the course is contingent upon:

1. An appropriate honours (minimum 2.2 grade) degree; and

2. An ability to demonstrate current professional practice OR a minimum of three years experience in urban planning, design, development or a related discipline. An interview may also be undertaken to assess the applicant’s interest in the subject and motivation for wishing to undertake the course.

Offers of places on the course can be made to applicants who successfully demonstrate the above criteria via the production of:
• academic transcripts
• a professional curriculum vitae
• appropriate references
• a brief covering letter

The brief (one-page) covering letter is required to outline principal areas of professional expertise and experience. This should include a short statement of motivation to undertake the course. Two references are required, ideally in support of professional, academic and / or personal ability.

Note: Satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place.

2 years
Mode of Study: Part Time
Method of Delivery: On-Campus, Online

Commencement Date: January 2025

What are my career opportunities?
Graduates of the MSc in Urban Regeneration & Development are well placed to take up roles in the public, private and non-governmental sectors, dealing with the contemporary challenges facing our city, town and village centres. Graduates have the knowledge and tools to contribute towards the renewal of underutilised and decaying spaces as well as to understand and manage the processes and products of urban regeneration and development.

Graduates are eligible to apply for Affiliate Membership of the Irish Planning Institute.