- 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
Course description
In the second year, there's an optional course unit to take on a work placement.
I split my time between a private consultancy called Southern Planning Practice and a local authority called Eastleigh Borough Council. I loved looking into planning applications and deducing what decision I would give before planners would reveal what was actually recommended.
Rachael Morris / MPRE Master of Planning with Real Estate student
MPlan (Master of Planning) is a four-year enhanced undergraduate degree which is fully accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The curriculum for the first three years is the same as our BSc (Hons) Planning and Real Estate, in which you will consider the issues faced by professionals in dealing with the planning, development, and management of all aspects of our built and natural environments.
The fourth year of study is at taught master's level and provides professional training in planning, serving as a fast-track to your future career. You always have the option to switch between the degree programmes with the final integrated Master's year so you can transfer on or off the four-year programme during any stage of your studies.
Effective planning, development, and management of our cities, towns, and natural environment is crucial in an age when governments and societies all over the world are struggling to deliver sustainable development.
Understanding and engaging with the opportunities and challenges facing the communities and places in which we live, work, and play is at the heart of what we do in the department of Planning, Property and Environmental Management at The University of Manchester.
The integrated Master of Planning (MPlan) satisfies the spatial planning curricula for the RTPI and is therefore the fastest route to Licentiate Membership, which is highly valued by employers. The degree is also dual accredited, as it is recognised by the RICS Planning and Development and Commercial Real Estate and Valuation pathways.
Manchester is a great place to study planning and real estate.
It is a major UK city undergoing rapid urban change, which provides an ideal base for exploring urban development pressures and how these shape economic, social, and environmental futures.
Developing an appreciation of the interaction of people, the economy, and the politics of development are central to this process and your studies in Manchester.
The city is also ideally placed for you to learn about a wide variety of rural environments which have significant implications for planning and real estate markets, including three spectacular National Parks, areas of intensive farming, and impressive coastlines.
Special features
Accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - meaning you'll be ideally placed for a professional career in planning and/or real estate after you graduate.
Local fieldwork
Conduct fieldwork on a local scale, exploring the city of Manchester and its surrounding areas to supplement your studies and assessments.
International fieldwork
This course normally includes a field trip to a European country during your second year, where you can put what you have learnt so far into practice. You will also have the option to attend a field visit abroad in your fourth and final year.
Study abroad
Apply to spend one semester studying abroad at one of our exchange partners in Europe, the US, South East Asia, or Australia.
Teaching and learning
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.
Coursework and assessment
We place strong emphasis on coursework and continuous assessment.
Coursework takes a variety of forms - from essays and reports, to posters, oral presentations, and project demonstrations (sometimes to practising professionals).
We also incorporate lots of opportunities for feedback on non-assessed work so that you can be confident about your progress.
Your dissertation will draw together the different strands of the course and allow you to study a subject that really interests you.
You will work with an individual supervisor to conceive, plan, execute, and write up an independent and novel piece of research.
Course content for year 1
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Designing Sustainable Futures | PLAN10031 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Planning and Development | PLAN10041 | 20 | Mandatory |
GIS & Digital Tools for Decision Making | PLAN10092 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Real Estate | PLAN10201 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to Urban and Environmental Economics | PLAN10352 | 20 | Mandatory |
Rural Planning | PLAN10362 | 10 | Optional |
Principles of Real Estate Law | PLAN10622 | 10 | Optional |
Place-making | PLAN10632 | 10 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
In Year 2, you will begin to specialise your knowledge and skills. This includes understanding policies, regulations and processes that guide development, introducing core principles on urban design and understanding how to value properties.
This year also provides you with an opportunity to start tailoring your degree to your specific interests with optional course units and gaining some work experience through taking an optional short-term placement. You can also normally apply to spend one semester studying abroad at one of our exchange partners in Europe, North America, South East Asia and Australia.
Year 2 also starts to develop your skills in collecting and analysing data ready for conducting independent research (i.e. dissertation) in your third year. As part of this, the course normally includes a residential field visit to a European country where you can apply your learning in a different context.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Sustainable Development Project | PLAN20072 | 20 | Mandatory |
Applied Research for Planning and Real Estate | PLAN20172 | 20 | Mandatory |
Plan Making & the Development Process | PLAN20181 | 20 | Mandatory |
Policy for Cities and Regions | PLAN20381 | 10 | Mandatory |
Valuation & Appraisal | PLAN21012 | 20 | Mandatory |
Professional Placement | PLAN20090 | 20 | Optional |
Professional Placement (10 credits) | PLAN20190 | 10 | Optional |
Environmental Planning and Assessment | PLAN20521 | 20 | Optional |
Strategic Real Estate Management | PLAN26051 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 3
In Year 3 you will develop your planning specialism further. This will include learning the fundamental components of planning and property law, exploring specific aspects of urban development such as housing provision and acquiring specific insights into the ethical perspectives of planning, vital for your move into the profession.
In this year, you will also undertake a piece of independent research on a topic of your choice - your dissertation. To help you through this process, you will be guided by one of our internationally recognised academics specialising. in planning or real estate. Your research may be field-based, undertaking desk studies or making use of our specialist School laboratory facilities.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Dissertation (UG) | PLAN30000 | 40 | Mandatory |
Planning & Property Law | PLAN30072 | 20 | Mandatory |
Urban Theory, Planning Theory and Professional Values | PLAN30081 | 20 | Mandatory |
Housing, Planning & Development | PLAN30512 | 20 | Mandatory |
Real Estate Investment & Finance | PLAN36011 | 20 | Optional |
Future Cities | PLAN36021 | 20 | Optional |
Planning for Nature Recovery | PLAN36061 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 4
In Year 4 you transition into the integrated Masters, where all the content is taught at master's level. This is your professional 'specialism' year, and is currently required by the RTPI to receive full accreditation, serving as your fast-track to your future career in planning. You can choose optional specialisms in spatial planning, environmental planning, urban design, real estate, digital planning, or international planning.
In this year, you also normally have the option to take a short, 4 week placement, giving you further opportunities to enhance your CV with hands on experience of working for organisations specialising in planning or real estate.
Course units for year 4
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Land and Development | PLAN40662 | 15 | Mandatory |
Digital Planning - Spatial and Policy Analysis | PLAN40761 | 15 | Mandatory |
Environmental Impact Assessment | PLAN40321 | 15 | Optional |
EIA Project | PLAN40332 | 15 | Optional |
Planning for Environmental Change | PLAN40391 | 15 | Optional |
Professional Practice and Placement | PLAN40470 | 15 | Optional |
International Fieldwork | PLAN40712 | 15 | Optional |
Urban Development Planning in Cities of the South: an international perspective | PLAN40771 | 15 | Optional |
Neighbourhood Planning | PLAN40812 | 15 | Optional |
Green Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities | PLAN40852 | 15 | Optional |
Displaying 10 of 25 course units for year 4 | |||
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Facilities
You can develop your digital planning skills in our computer suites with specialist design and spatial analysis software.
See facilities for more information.
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service.
For more information, email dass@manchester.ac.uk .