Courses may close earlier than the advertised application deadline if the course is full. Browse more courses for 2026 entry
UCAS code K4L7
This degree programme gives you a full understanding of the primary environmental challenges of the 21st century and provides you with the skills base to help address them.
You will develop a broad overview of how our towns, cities and regions have developed and have an opportunity to specialise in environmental or urban regeneration issues. You’ll gain a rounded understanding of the factors and forces that are shaping the environment and the role that planning can play in reconciling competing and conflicting interests. Attention is focused on approaches to the protection and enhancement of natural and built environments in a rapidly changing world. An interdisciplinary approach to study provides learning opportunities that draw upon the expertise of academics in Planning as well as academics in the departments of Geography, Sociology and Architecture.
Over the past thirty years Liverpool has been transformed economically, socially and environment. Staff and students from the University of Liverpool have been part of these changes as they have been observing, reflecting and helping local planners, developers and communities to shape these changes. This makes Liverpool an ideal urban laboratory to study how our world is changing.
This course is designed as part of a suite of related programmes in planning, and core modules in years one and two are shared with our BA Urban Planning, MPlan Town and Regional Planning and BA Geography and Planning. Students can transfer between programmes in the first two years should their interests or career aspirations change, subject to achieving required grades.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
This programme provides accreditation from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
The first year of study provides an introduction to basic features of the planning system in the United Kingdom and an awareness of the broad social, economic and environmental context in which contemporary planning issues arise. Essential study and communication skills for academic study and future employability are given early emphasis so that students are well equipped to take full advantage of the wide range of teaching and learning resources including the Planning Studio, the Central Teaching Laboratories and external speaker series that are made available for their benefit.
Students will take the core modules and select two choices from the optional modules.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
You will take the following compulsory modules.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
You will take the following compulsory modules.
You will also select two additional optional modules that relate to your chosen specialism: Spatial Planning for Environmental Change and their remaining modules from the optional modules detailed below.
You will be required to select a research module choice (for example, dissertation): ENVS346 or ENVS302.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. The University is currently reviewing all of its programmes for 2027 entry. View the 2027 version of this course for more information.
Planning education has an important vocational focus and in Liverpool we consider a real world connection to be extremely important. Our students gain a broad understanding of planning, from the ways in which towns and cities have evolved and are being reshaped to meet the challenges of the 21st century to the effects of planning on the environment and planning’s role in urban regeneration.
To do this we have designed varied programmes of study with a range of teaching styles. You will ‘learn by doing’ through place-based projects and field classes as well as be introduced to real-life examples from around the world.
Our programmes also include specialised training in geographic information systems, mapping and urban design. Together these approaches ensure that you gain valuable transferable skills whilst studying with us.
Assessments are designed around developing skills and styles of communication that will be relevant to future employers. So, in addition to exams and essays, you will also undertake assessments that include computer-based exercises, oral presentations, policy briefs, poster presentations, field projects, research reports, design work, group work, seminar presentations and papers. Students complete a compulsory dissertation or project module in the final year on a topic of your choice. This is your opportunity to develop skills as an independent academic researcher, supported on a one-to-one basis by an expert in the field.
At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.
You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.
We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
Students studying Urban Planning and Design BEng at XJTLU can study this course at the University of Liverpool. Read more about Environment and Planning BA (Hons) as part of the 2+2 programme .
The natural next step for ambitious XJTLU students who want to build a brilliant career.
The Department of Geography and Planning forms part of our School of Environmental Sciences and is based in the Roxby building. Teaching will take place here and in a number of other world-leading facilities that have benefitted from a £1.38million investment.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Our programmes are varied, interdisciplinary, and have a strong vocational focus, meaning that Liverpool planning graduates enter a wide range of planning related careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. We have graduates who are working in the UK and globally.