The Housing and Community Planning MA will provide you with a critical understanding of the contemporary challenges associated with housing and community planning, including their interaction with social, economic, environmental and political issues.
You will develop a range of practical and analytical skills and experience that will enable you to pursue a career related to housing, planning, and the built environment.
Studying the Housing and Community Planning MA will give you high-level, expert understanding and experience of housing and community planning practice. You will study housing and planning within the context of social, economic and environmental challenges, and develop a range of skills and techniques, including written, oral and digital forms of presenting and communicating information.
The programme has a strong practical focus, including a field class, project work, and a professional practice module where students are encouraged to apply learning and skills to real-world work-based scenarios through a placement or project.
This programme has specialist accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute, which means that your specialist skills and expertise will be formally recognised by a professional organisation.
This programme will appeal to students from a range of backgrounds, including those who have studied cognate social science subjects at undergraduate level, students with professional experience and expertise, and students seeking to study part-time in parallel with their day job.
This programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
In your first semester, you will develop an understanding of the history of community-focused planning, learn methods for community involvement, understand the relationship between housing, home and planning through social, economic and political processes at local to international scales, and learn of the conflicts facing planners in trying to deliver sustainable development.
You’ll get the opportunity to engage with cutting edge contemporary research, carry our field studies of spatial planning challenges, and show your understanding of planning theory, practice and policy.
Teaching takes place on campus, in person.
Please see below for semester one modules. Click on the next tab for semester two modules.
Modules are regularly reviewed to ensure a distinctive and challenging programme and are therefore subject to change.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPATIAL PLANNING CHALLENGES (ENVS411) | 15 |
| THEORY, POWER AND ETHICS (ENVS432) | 15 |
| PLANNING FOR HOUSING AND HOME (ENVS635) | 15 |
| PEOPLE AND PLANNING (ENVS636) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Modules in semester two will give you the opportunity to explore how theories of housing and community planning are enacted in practice, and get to work with a client to develop an improvement strategy.
You’ll get a good understading of housing, community, and spatial planning through practical assignments working independently and in groups with extgernal organisations. You’ll then develop presentations, posters, and detailed analysis to support your work and show your understanding of housing and community planning theories.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPATIAL PLANNING AND DESIGN PROJECT (ENVS467) | 30 |
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY PLANNING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (ENVS637) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Your final semester will start with a workshop session which will the general skills required to produce primary research – research design, literature searching, research methods and more. You will then develop, research and execute an independent piece of research on the topic of your choice.
There will be plenty of chances to check in with an academic member of staff, either online or in-person, to discuss your research project over the course of the semster.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| DISSERTATION MCD/MA/MSC PLANNING (ENVS491) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and tutorials together with practical exercises, such as project work, group work and field visits.
Your learning outcomes will reflect those specified by the Royal Town Planning Institute for specialist accreditation.
Taking a proactive approach to learning, you’ll plan and organise your individual study – and take an active part in class discussions during seminars and tutorials.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of methods including coursework, reports, examinations, groupwork and presentations.
Essays and reports will allow you to explore parts of the programme in-depth and present coherent arguments, while seminar presentations will develop your skills in presenting and defending arguments orally. You will be encouraged to engage with digital forms of communication and will develop competencies in using these to disseminate information.
You’ll also take part in group projects, demonstrating your ability to work as a team to resolve complex problems; and sit exams, to test your knowledge.
Ongoing and structured feedback and proactive engagement with your lecturers will help you throughout the various assessment methods in your course.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
At the Department of Geography and Planning, you will learn from world-leading researchers who bring the latest theoretical and practical knowledge from a range of specialisms.
By the end of your master’s, you will have developed the knowledge and skills to become an agent for change on the global stage.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
You will have a lot of options after graduating this programme.
Many of you might find work related to the core specialisms – housing and community planning – which may involve working in public, private and third sector organisations, including local authorities, consultancies, charities, and housing associations.
You’ll be especially attractive to employers in the field due to your RTPI accreditation and experience you will gain on your work placement.
Previous students have entered occupations in private sector planning firms or research-based or policy and research roles within third sector organisations.
In addition to specialist knowledge, the programme will give you a broad understanding of planning practice in the UK and internationally which will enable you to take up careers in other areas of planning practice.
The programme will prepare you with a broad range of skills transferable to other occupations and to careers both in the UK and internationally, including written and verbal communication, digital fluency, and research.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £12,500
Part-time place, per year - £6,250
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Part-time place, per year - £12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting this master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive a loyalty discount of up to £2,500 off your master’s tuition fees.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in a related subject, such as Planning, Geography, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Economics, or Sociology. However, there are no pre-requisites. Non-graduates with very extensive professional experience and/or other prior qualifications may also be considered.
|
| International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MA, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with writing not less than 125, speaking and reading not less than 115, and listening not below 110. For academic year 2025/26 only, we will also accept the production, literacy, comprehension and conversation score set: 120 overall, with no component below 105. |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
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Last updated 29 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions