- UCAS course code
- 1G23
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Planning and Real Estate (MPRE)
MPRE Master of Planning with Real Estate
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: 1G23 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
Scholarships available
Field trips
Accredited course
- 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:
International Urban Design
| Unit code | PLAN41081 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course unit aims to introduce students to how cities have developed and evolved on the global stage, providing a critical analysis of the key urban design theories that underpin the discipline and how they influence practice. The course will get students to think critically about the current and emerging challenges that face urban design both locally and internationally in different urban environments, introducing best practice examples from across the world.
Aims
This course aims to:
• Develop an understanding of the historic and contemporary origins of a range of urban design concepts at the city level
• Consider the wider global and local challenges which urban design theory and practice must respond to, exploring real world international examples
• Understand the importance of local context within urban design practice and how that influences the translation of global urban design knowledge in a city
• Strategically think about emerging international urban design issues and the future role of the city
Teaching and learning methods
1. Lectures: Lectures will tackle 4 main themes a) Understanding the City- introducing the role of the global city and how urban form has developed over time; b) Towards an Urban Design Agenda- discussing the birth of the urban design discipline and the key theories/theorists influencing our understanding of cities; c) Key Issues in Urban Design- discussing challenges facing cities and urban design practice both locally and globally; d) Urban Design Futures – a critical reflection on the emerging issues in urban design and how cities might be improved through successful design interventions.
2. Seminars: The seminars are designed to engage students with, and explore, key issues/ideas related to international urban design case studies. Students will be exposed to a range of urban design concepts stemming from different built environments around the world and will develop knowledge of international best practice, gaining an appreciation of the benefits and problems of global urban design homogenisation practices.
3. E-Learning: The VLE will be used to engage students outside of the lecture hall with e-lectures and case study materials linking to best practice urban design examples and current global urban developments of interest.
Knowledge and understanding
- Understand historical precedence in the design of cities, differentiating between different urban patterns and recognising key periods a city’s development.
- Critically evaluate the ways in which urban design concepts are developed, adopted, and translated internationally
- Be familiar with the challenges facing urban design and how global cities have addressed these and their own unique circumstances through urban design practices;
-
Develop comparative evaluation, discussion, writing, critical thinking, and design skills through seminars, essays, design critique, crits, and graphical analysis/representation
Intellectual skills
- To apply urban design theory in real world examples
- To understand principles of city analysis
-
To be competent in urban design presentation techniques
Practical skills
- Design skills and drawing; city analysis techniques
- Use of IT software to present in a professional manner
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Use of Adobe Creative Suite and other software to present ideas and concepts
Assessment methods
City Report Structure/Outline - 5 presentation slides (equivalent to 500 words) - 15% weighting
Urban Design (Visual) City Report - 2500 words - 85% weighting
Feedback methods
Students will select the city that forms basis of Assignment report in Week 3 and receive immediate feedback with opportunity o book one on one session with Academic to assist in selection and rationale.
Week 9 allows for Report structure/outline feedback through TurnItIn with written feedback provided
Final assignment will have written feedback presented via TurnItIn
Recommended reading
- Urban Design Group, Graphics for Urban Design 711.4/M446
- English Partnerships Urban Design Compendium 729/E3 – also available online
- Carmona, M. (2010). Public places-urban spaces. Routledge, London.
- Carmona M & Tiesdell S Urban Design Reader 771.4 C374
- Cuthbert, A. R. (2003). Designing cities: critical readings in urban design. Blackwell Pub.
- Kostof S, The City Shaped and The City Assembled 711.4/K240
- Le Gates, R. and Stout, F. (1996) ‘The City Reader’ 711.4/L443
- Loew, S. (2012). Urban design practice: An international review. Newcastle-uponTyne: RIBA Publishing.
- Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. the MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
- Moor M & Rowland J Urban Design Futures 711.4/M442
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 |
| Seminars | 10 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 120 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Nuno Pinto | Unit coordinator |