MPlan in Planning: The University of Manchester

Course description

The programme aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding relating to the field of urban and environmental planning, and to deliver an appropriate range of skills for spatial planning. It meets the training guidelines set by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in terms of core knowledge, competence/skills and specialised study. On graduation students can proceed to become chartered planners and members of the RTPI.

On successful completion of the programme students will have gained an understanding of the full range of professional skills relevant for planning practice. Graduates will also possess specialist skills relevant to a chosen specialism.

Module details

Following an induction programme of lectures, workshops and site visits, students follow core course units covering areas such as:

• planning powers and procedures
• planning theory and ethics
• land and development processes
• neighbourhood planning
• strategic spatial planning
• research design and analytical techniques for planning

In addition to the core units, students are able to pursue one of three specialisms, linked to Planning and Landscape research expertise:

• Urban Regeneration
• International Development Planning
• Planning for Environmental Change

Specialist study involves the combination of a lecture and seminar based course, a practical group-work project and a 15,000 word dissertation.

Career opportunities

The programme prepares students for employment in professional practice in spatial planning (at home or overseas), and provides the students with the academic framework and professional skills for employment in the public (local authorities, development agencies) and private sectors (consultancy, development industry).

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Applicants are expected to have a first or upper second class degree (or its international equivalent) from a recognised University.

Due to the vocational nature of the programme, appropriate professional experience may additionally be taken into account as part of the admissions process.

English language: If your first language is not English you would be expected to produce evidence of competence in the English language, by reaching a minimum requirement IELTS 7.0, or TOEFL 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer based), or a Grade A in the NCUK PMP EAP module. Applicants whose language of academic instruction for at least one year has been English may be exempted from this requirement, at the discretion of the School.