You’ll learn about the social, economic and environmental challenges planners face, whilst becoming familiar with planning tools, methods and how they can be applied to particular planning contexts.
Introduction
This MCD taught programme is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute and will introduce you to the essential aspects of town and regional planning with the opportunity to specialise in your preferred area.
Three pathways are available so you are able to choose your specialism and continue the work you did as an undergraduate. The pathways allow you to specialise in spatial planning (pathway A), urban design (pathway B) or spatial analysis (pathway C).
Pathways B and C been tailored specifically to meet the needs of students who have completed an undergraduate degree in planning at the University of Liverpool or XJTLU. Pathway A (spatial planning) is intended for those of you who have completed an undergraduate degree in one of a range of disciplines similar to planning, such as geography, sociology, environmental studies or politics; or for part-time students working in planning practice.
What you'll learn
A critical appreciation of challenges facing modern society in terms of the need to reconcile economic growth and development with protecting and conserving the environment
An understanding of the diversity of planned interventions at a variety of spatial scales, which are designed to produce effective and implementable solutions to policy dilemmas
A range of analytical skills and techniques that are designed to develop appropriate and implementable solutions to a range of complex problems
The opportunity to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to the achievement of feasible solutions to real-life problems
To provide an ability to appreciate the need to adopt strong professional values and ethics, recognising the diversity of interests that planning serves
To provide the opportunity to begin to explore ideas, perspectives and debates in one specialised area of planning.
Accreditation
This MCD taught programme is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute
If you're able to study part-time, you'll
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Studying part-time means you can study alongside work or any
other life commitments. You will
study the same modules as the full-time master's degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You
can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule
around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you
complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final
dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements
at graduation the following term.
Semester one
During Semester one you will learn about the challenges facing planners trying to deliver sustainable solutions, planning theories and methods and techniques used to analyse contemporty planning issues.
Compulsory modules
Spatial Planning Challenges (ENVS411)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module provide students with an understanding of the conflicts facing planners in trying to deliver sustainable development. It introduces students to the range of social, economic and environmental issues that face contemporary society. It outlines the role of spatial planning in managing development pressures while protecting the built and natural environment, and it explores different planning responses to address and reconcile these competing interests.
Theory, Power and Ethics (ENVS432)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The focus of this module is on the institutional perspective on planning across different spatial scales and the different strands of theories that are relevant to the understanding of the role and purposes of planning.
Trends, Outcomes and Impacts (ENVS469)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module aims to provide students with a coherent guide to the variety of methods and techniques employed in analysing contemporary spatial planning issues and monitoring and evaluating policy outcomes and impacts.
Optional modules
Making Places (ENVS439)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
The focus of this module is on introducing and exploring the processes and issues involved in the making and remaking of urban places. It will provide the skills and techniques to analyse and understand place quality and characteristics from different viewpoints, and to understand the transition from design to its implementation.
The module will be based on assessments that encourage students to critically read a ‘real-world’ project both as a set of drawings and as an as-built scheme, and used to discuss viability/development economics
Advanced Urban Design 1 (ENVS420)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This is a seminar-based module promoting an understanding of the forces that shape the built environment and the role played by design professionals. It will help students as future designers to understand that the city is a complex and dynamic system and stimulate their active thinking and positive responses to various phenomena in terms of generating appropriate strategies for urban design and sustainability.
Geographic Information Science (ENVS609)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 1
This module introduces how the tools of GIS can be used to create digital representations of the world, and through a framework of Geographic Information Science, reviews the potential problems and pitfalls of doing so. The module is delivered through both lectures and supplemented by practical labs that develop familiarity and skills in the application of GIS.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester two
During Semester two you will be introduced to the key skills, issues and practices planners need to manage change. Spatial planning in action (ENVS467) will give you the opportunity to apply knowledge you have already gained to a plan-making exercise, working in small groups.
Compulsory modules
Implementing and Managing Change (ENVS459)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module aims to introduce and critically examine the key skills, issues and practices planners need in implementing and managing change. It is strongly practically focused and makes use of a range of guest lecturers from planning practice to bring their own perspectives to the challenges of implementing and managing change.
Advanced Urban Design 2 (ENVS463)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This is a studio-based module for students to propose urban design outcomes for a given site following a rigorous design-led process.
Students will interpret a brief and propose a solution to an urban design issue linked to one or more of ther topics covered in ENVS420.
Optional modules
Making Plans (ENVS427)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This module provides a knowledge base of spatial planning disciplines by understanding key historical evolution of plan-making approaches, being conversant with methods and techniques used in the preparation and implementation of spatial plans and policies, and last but not least, demonstrating critical thinking capacities of reviewing a contemporary plan-making practice through a close theory-practice axis.
Advanced Urban Design 2 (ENVS463)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
This is a studio-based module for students to propose urban design outcomes for a given site following a rigorous design-led process.
Students will interpret a brief and propose a solution to an urban design issue linked to one or more of ther topics covered in ENVS420.
Spatial Modelling for Data Scientists (ENVS453)
Credits: 15 /
Semester: semester 2
An introduction to a range of statistical techniques specifically designed to handle spatial data, building upon the more generic social survey analysis skills and R programming skills covered and developed in ENVS450, the pre-requisite of Module ENVS453.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Final project
Students on all pathways will complete a dissertation over the summer.
Compulsory modules
Dissertation MCD/MA/MSc Planning (ENVS491)
Credits: 60 /
Semester: summer
The module supports students in the development, researching and execution of an independent piece of research under the supervision of an academic member of staff.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
How you'll learn
You’ll learn through a combination of teaching, learning and assessment methods in line with the varied nature of the programme.
You’ll attend lectures, seminars and tutorials and take part in practical sessions, such as project work and field visits. You are encouraged to take a proactive approach to their learning.
You will plan and organise your studies both on an individual basis and working in groups, take an active role in seminars, class discussions, library and IT studies and make practice contacts and site visits associated with coursework submissions.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through a combination of coursework, such as essays, reports, seminar presentations and examinations. Essays, reports, seminars and discussion papers enable you to explore particular components of the course in-depth and present coherent arguments using a range of writing styles, suitable for different audiences.
Seminar presentations provide opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate your ability in presenting and defending your arguments. Group projects enable you to demonstrate, through verbal presentations, written reports or design work, your ability to work as part of a team to resolve large and complex problems. Examinations test knowledge, understanding and critical reflection on a range of materials covered in a module.
You will also take part in a final project based on a topic associated with your specialism. You’ll work independently to develop and demonstrate research skills and apply knowledge to a specific research problem. You’ll be specifically assessed on your initial presentation, your research outline, and your dissertation.
Liverpool Hallmarks
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.
Your experience
The Department of Geography and Planning is home to the world’s first planning school. We are a centre of excellence for innovative and influential research and scholarship and are a leading provider of high-quality professional education. We have excellent academic staff who are actively engaged with research and professional practice. This is reflected in the fact we edit two international journals: Town Planning Review and Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management.
There are significant career opportunities in the field of planning, urban regeneration and environmental management working for local authorities, the private and voluntary sectors. Within the planning sphere graduates can become involved in a variety of different positions concerned with helping to improve the quality of our towns and cities.
Career support from day one to graduation and beyond
Most of our graduates join public sector organisations as career planners in development control, policy and information or implementation teams.
However, an increasing number join private planning consultancies and urban regeneration agencies. Other graduates choose to work for third-sector organisations, such as environmental charities, take higher degrees, or to work as research assistants in academic institutions.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£10,400
Part-time place, per year
£5,200
International fees
Full-time place, per year
£21,400
Part-time place, per year
£10,700
Fees stated are for the 2023-24 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.
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.
You will normally need a 2:1 honours degree or above, or equivalent, in a relevant subject.
We also encourage applications from those with non-standard qualifications and relevant work experience. Each application will be assessed on its own merits.
International qualifications
A Pre-Master's course, which prepares international students for postgraduate study with us, is offered by the University of Liverpool International College. If you hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent, but don't meet our entry requirements, successfully completing the relevant Pre-Master's pathway means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Contact us
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
