- UCAS course code
- K401
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Planning (MPlan)
MPlan Planning
Make a difference with an integrated Master of Planning, shaping vibrant, liveable, sustainable places for communities to live, work and play.
- Typical A-level offer: ABB
- Typical contextual A-level offer: BBC
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: BBC
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 34 points overall with 6,5,5 at HL
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £29,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Additional expenses
This course has normally included an overseas field trip in year 4, which is an optional part of the course. Please note there is a student contribution towards the cost of the trip depending on the location.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.
You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies.
Find out about our funding opportunities
Course unit details:
EIA Project
Unit code | PLAN40332 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | Level 4 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This module will provide you with practical experience of undertaking elements of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for a project based in the Greater Manchester area. It develops practical knowledge and skills in relation to project design and planning and undertaking environmental impact assessment. Each student is to provide advice to a client organisation that has land holdings in the Greater Manchester area and seeks to take forward medium- to large- scale, mixed-use development of a particular site.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Environmental Impact Assessment | PLAN40321 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
- To provide experience in undertaking the early stages of an EIA to provide advice to a client.
- To provide experience in site evaluation, project development and approaches to impact assessment.
- To enable students to develop self-learning capabilities and to demonstrate them in small group sessions
- To provide experience in writing reports relating to the preliminary stages of EIA.
- To gain experience in project management and team work.
- To present work, using a variety of means, to an appropriate professional standard.
Teaching and learning methods
Introductory lectures to each stage,
Bespoke GIS for EIA session
Workshops with practitioners on assessing various impact types
Weekly drop-in sessions (group)
Initially you will work in small groups to undertake research on the site and gather relevant materials, data, etc., for the group presentation on key site features and potential options for development. Following the group presentation, you will work as individuals, and draw on the presentation and your own further analysis to explore potential impacts and their assessment.
Knowledge and understanding
Understand some of the practice-based challenges in EIA
Intellectual skills
Demonstrate a capability to solve environmental planning problems in a situation requiring both self-motivation and self-reliance
Practical skills
Present work to a professional standard in bot written and verbal formats
Prepare written reports in detail relating to the EIA process
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Work effectively as a member of a group in producing work
Overcome challenges, both as a member of a team and as an individual through appropriate team management
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Other | 30% |
Report | 40% |
Oral assessment/presentation | 30% |
Group presentation (10 minutes) 30% weighting
Group presentation (15 minutes) 30% weighting
Individual Report (1000 words) 40% weighting
Feedback methods
Feedback on submitted work is provided within 15 working days via Turnitin
Recommended reading
Indicative Readling List
Glasson, J., Therivel, R. and Chadwick, A. (2019) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, Routledge, Abingdon, 5th edition.
Landscape Institute/Institute of Environmental Assessment (2013) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment third edition, Routledge, London. Full text available online through University Library.
Morris, P. and Therivel, R. (eds.) (2018) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment, UCL Press, London, 4th edition
Online resources
Communities and Local Government, UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/planning-system
You should explore issues relating to planning policy, guidance, etc.
Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 No. 571 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/571/contents/made
Department of Transport (nd) Environmental Assessment Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11 (updated), HMSO, London.
http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/ha/standards/dmrb/vol11/index.htm
European Commission:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/home.htm
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: EIS Review, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-review-full-text.pdf
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: Scoping, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-scoping-full-text.pdf
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: Screening, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-screeni
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Fieldwork | 3 |
Lectures | 3 |
Practical classes & workshops | 14 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 130 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Andrew Snow | Unit coordinator |