MSc Urban Regeneration and Development

If you’re considering a master’s at Manchester, there are a range of ways you can connect with us to find out more.

• Taught master's information sessions
• Taught master's guided campus visits
• Study fairs in the UK
• Education fairs overseas

For more information, see our page on meeting us .

Apply online

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• copies of English Language Certification, such as IELTS, TOEFL or Pearson test score report. Applications without an English language qualification are placed on a waiting list and are assessed only when an acceptable English language qualification is provided;
• copies of official degree certificates and transcripts of your previous study, showing the subjects taken and grades obtained. If these documents are in languages other than English, please provide official translations;
• your CV.

Ensure that you enclose all the necessary documents to avoid any delays.

MSc Urban Regeneration and Development offers the knowledge and skills to shape the future of our cities, creating places that are inclusive, sustainable and resilient. You will explore how cities evolve, decline and regenerate, analysing the social, economic, political and environmental forces that drive urban change.

Teaching combines critical understanding of policy and governance with the practical expertise needed to plan and deliver regeneration projects - from breathing new life into former industrial areas to developing thriving, liveable neighbourhoods.

This programme provides a strong balance of academic insight and applied skills, preparing you to address pressing challenges such as housing inequality, economic redevelopment and climate adaptation.

Our graduates progress to influential roles in the UK and internationally, working with local authorities, government agencies, regeneration partnerships, consultancies and major developers to deliver meaningful and lasting change.

You will:

• identify urban opportunities and challenges and build the knowledge base to devise appropriate regeneration and development solutions;
• receive a thorough grounding to prepare students for professional practice in urban development and regeneration;
• explore international perspectives on urban regeneration and development.

• Benefit from expert teaching, including guided one-to-one dissertation supervision.
• Develop practical skills in project work, and access specialist design and spatial analysis software.
• Select from a mixture of optional units to develop an area of specialism in urban regeneration and development.
• This course includes fieldwork in the UK, and an optional overseas visit, to explore real-life urban regeneration and development issues. Recent locations for the optional overseas study unit include Amsterdam, Seattle and Istanbul.
• Study in Manchester, a city where planning has been taught for more than 50 years, and where a range of urban development and environmental challenges and solutions are evident across the city and its surrounding region.

Important notice: factors affecting fieldwork and placements

The School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) recognises the value of fieldwork and placements. However, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remains our priority.

The School will assess on a regular basis the viability of any travel and fieldwork and communicate any significant changes to our students at the earliest possible opportunity.

The role of SEED

• changes to the rules and guidance on travel and activities implemented and published by the UK and overseas governments;
• a risk assessment conducted by or on behalf of the University identifying unmanageable risk;
• changes that enhance the educational value and student experience of the activity;
• changes to the situation of a placement provider (for example, which cause them to be unable to accept students);
• the unavailability of appropriate insurance cover;
• the unavailability of appropriate travel and accommodation and any significant changes to their financial costs;
• where fieldwork and placements are a compulsory element of the Programme, they will be replaced with something academically similar;
• where a trip or placement is not a compulsory element of the Programme, it may not be replaced.

We will consult with affected students at the earliest possible opportunity and explore the options available to them.

The duty of students

Preparation, attendance and conduct

Attendance at preparatory classes is a compulsory pre-requisite of the fieldwork and placements to ensure safety and learning outcomes are met.

Students who do not attend the compulsory preparatory classes may be prevented from participating in the fieldwork or placement. It is the duty of students to discuss any attendance issues with the field course or placement convenor.

Students are representatives of the university during their fieldwork or placement. Behaviour deemed by the convenor to be unacceptable may result in students being sent home.

Where a student is unable to attend or complete the fieldwork or placement (e.g. due to mitigating circumstances), is prevented from attending due to absence from compulsory preparatory classes, or returned home due to poor conduct:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered (as appropriate) to ensure that the programme ILOs are met, and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Immigration, passport and visa requirements

It is the responsibility of the individual student to ensure they have:

• a valid passport to enter the destination country (including sufficient months prior to expiry);
• a valid visa (where required) and comply with its requirements.

The School cannot guarantee that visas required for fieldwork or a placement will be granted by the relevant authority. Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa regulations at short notice.

Where a student is unable to attend fieldwork or a placement because they do not have the required visa or passport:

• a suitable alternative assessment will be offered to ensure that the programme ILOs are met and that the student is not academically disadvantaged;
• the University accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred by the student in relation to the fieldwork or placement.

Assessment methods are largely individually based, but also involve some elements of group working.

Overall, you are continuously assessed via a range of methods, including essays and report writing, topic papers and critical reviews, project portfolios, and assessed workshop presentations.

Formative feedback is provided through the courses both orally and in written form to help you develop further key skills.

A 12,000-word dissertation on an approved topic is discussed and chosen at the beginning of the second semester and a suitable supervisor allocated.

Find out how our students feel about studying at The University of Manchester by visiting our student spotlights page.

You can develop your practical skills in our computer suites with specialist design and spatial analysis software.

For more information visit our facilities page.

The course prepares you for employment in professional practice in urban development, regeneration or planning in the UK or overseas. The degree will provide you with the academic knowledge and professional skills for employment in the private (consultancy, development industry) and public (local authorities, development agencies) sectors.

More generally, MSc Urban Regeneration and Development graduates are popular with employers, particularly in consultancy, where the ability to analyse and propose policies and implement strategies is vital.

After London, Manchester hosts the largest number of planning, development and environmental consultancies in the UK.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in areas including environmental management and consultancy, urban planning and design, real estate development, urban and regional development policy, central and local government, international development, energy and water, non-governmental organisations, and research.

Employers include AECOM, Arup, Atkins, BP, EDF Energy, the Environment Agency, Jacobs, and Rolls-Royce, among other international consultancy companies and agencies.

If you decide not to follow a vocational career, your wide knowledge base and transferable skills in problem-solving, strategic thinking, teamwork, creativity and communication fit what most employers are seeking.

Hear from our professional partners on a 'Meet the Professionals' event for Planning, Environmental Management, Real Estate and Urban Design.

Careers support

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.

At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .

Careers support for international students

The Careers Service provide specialist resources, advice and events for international students to help with career planning and making the most of your time while studying in Manchester.

• Working in the UK after study
• Working during study
• Professional and alumni networks for international students

Global networks

The University of Manchester is proud to have the largest global alumni community of any campus-based university in the UK.

International alumni groups are a great way to keep in touch with fellow Manchester graduates in your country.

It is an opportunity to build professional and social networks.

View the alumni networks already operating across the globe