- 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.
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: K401 / 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 Fieldwork
| Unit code | PLAN40712 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
This module gives you the opportunity to study planning, development and regeneration in an international City. You first learn about the broader institutional setting within a specific country (government structures and funding, policy context and regional development
funding etc.) and the country specific context of your fieldtrip location.
The main purpose of the module is a fieldtrip to a specific city - region, including:
• introduction to the local context of planning and development in the chosen country
• academic lectures
• practitioner led talks and presentations
• site visits and study tours
Aims
- To explore the nature and purpose of planning, development and regeneration via cross-national comparative perspectives to draw out transferable lessons on planning and development policy and practice.
- To develop the critical skills and logical reasoning to appraise different types of planning and property development procedures.
- To foster creative and credible thinking over responses to meet the challenges to planning and development under different international contexts.
- To review the operation of planning and development processes in another country outside the UK.
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, Group Presentation and Residential Fieldtrip
Knowledge and understanding
Have an understanding of how different planning and development systems are shaped by unique spatial contexts, judicial-legal frameworks and socio-cultural traditions; Be familiar with the principles, design and practice of planning and development systems in a different country; Appreciate the value of cross-national learning regarding both its potential and limitations while respecting the diversity of culture, values and ideologies of planning and development.
Intellectual skills
Have critical thinking and evaluation skills based on visiting a different city.
Practical skills
Have developed the skills of comparative analysis, logical reasoning, and applied evaluation through the fieldtrip and the assignments
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Working with professionals in practice.
Employability skills
- Group/team working
- Collaborate with others to develop a coherent group presentation
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 85% |
| Oral assessment/presentation | 15% |
Oral presentation on particular aspect of upcoming fieldtrip (10 minute group presentation): 15%
Individual essay based on a critical reflection of issues related to the fieldtrip (2000): 85%
Feedback methods
Feedback for oral presentation provided immediately after the presentation, followed up during the fieldtrip.
Written feedback on individual essay provided at the end of unit.
Recommended reading
Dühr, S., Colomb, C. & Nadin, V. (2010) European Spatial Planning and Territorial Cooperation. London: Routledge.
Healy, P. & Upton, R. (2010) Crossing Borders: International exchange and planning practices. London: Routledge.
Newman, P. & Thornley, A. (1996) Urban Planning in Europe. London: Routledge.
Sanyal, Bishwapria, (ed.), (2005) Comparative Planning Cultures, Routledge, London.
There are many relevant papers in the Journal of European Planning Studies available online @ http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ceps and the Journal of European Real Estate Research available online @ http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/jerer
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Fieldwork | 40 |
| Lectures | 12 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 98 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Andreas Schulze Baing | Unit coordinator |