Course details
- Entry requirements: Related 2:1 degree (or equivalent)
- Full-time: 12 months
- Part-time: 24 months
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.
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.
This MCD taught programme is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
International students may be able to study this course on a part-time basis but this is dependent on visa regulations. Please visit the Government website for more information about student visas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Students on all pathways will complete a dissertation over the 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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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.
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.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
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Full-time place, per year | £10,400 |
Part-time place, per year | £5,200 |
International fees | |
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Full-time place, per year | £21,400 |
Part-time place, per year | £10,700 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
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 tuition fees, funding and Postgraduate Loans.
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 to help cover tuition fees and help with living expenses while at university.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
My qualifications are from: United Kingdom.
Your qualification | Requirements |
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Postgraduate entry requirements |
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. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language. 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.
English language qualification | Requirements |
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IELTS |
C View our IELTS academic requirements key. |
International Baccalaureate |
Standard Level 5 |
TOEFL iBT | 88 or above with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing 21, Reading – 22, Speaking 23. |
INDIA Standard XII | 70% or above from Central and Metro State Boards |
WAEC | C4-6 |
Hong Kong use of English AS level | C |
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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.
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Last updated 23 March 2023 / / Programme terms and conditions /