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Housing and Community Planning

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What you'll need

As part of the application process, you'll need to submit:

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  • University transcripts and certified translations if applicable
  • Degree certificates
  • Personal statement outlining your learning ambitions

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  • We'll email you when a decision has been made
  • If you've been made an offer, you can then accept or decline it using the Postgraduate Application Tracker.

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Master of Arts

A Master of Arts (MA) is a master’s degree awarded for a postgraduate programme in the arts.

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Course overview

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.

Introduction

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.

Who is this course for?

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.

What you'll learn

  • You will develop a critical understanding of the contemporary challenges associated with housing and community planning, including social, economic, environmental and political issues
  • You will learn analytical skills and techniques that enable students to develop appropriate solutions to complex problems
  • You will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained through this programme to professional practice, and reflect on this application through practice-based work

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Semester one

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.

Compulsory modules

Spatial Planning Challenges (ENVS411)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module provides 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.

Planning for Housing and Home (ENVS635)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to understand the relationship between housing, home and planning through social, economic and political processes at local to international scales. Students will reflect on historical development in housing policy and practice, understand housing’s relationship to and centrality within key societal challenges, and be able to compare and contrasts housing and planning issues at local, regional, national and international scales.

People and Planning (ENVS636)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module aims to emphasise the centrality of people and communities to planning and provide a theoretical and practical foundation to the interactions between people and planning. It will include reflections on the historical development of community-focussed planning; analysis of the importance of planning working with and for people; and provide a theoretically-informed toolkit of methods to engage with communities.

Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.

Our curriculum

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:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

Your experience

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.

Virtual tour

Careers and employability

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.

Career planning

Three career coaches standing outside the Careers Studio

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.

From education to employment

Two graduates in postgraduate robes.

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.

Networking events

Postgraduate students hold a discussion while sat round a table in in the Liverpool Guild of Students.

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 future

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.

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 £12,500
Part-time place, per year £6,250
International fees
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.

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 fees and funding.

Additional costs

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.

Additional study costs

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 additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

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Postgraduate Global Advancement Scholarship – Achievement

  • International students

If you’re an international student joining a master’s course with us, you could be eligible to receive a tuition fee discount of £2,500, based on your prior academic achievement, choice of course, and you not having studied with us before.

Postgraduate Global Advancement Scholarship – Country

  • International students
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Cyprus
  • Dominica
  • Egypt
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • India
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam

If you’re an international student joining a master’s course with us, you could be eligible to receive a tuition fee discount of £2,500, based on your nationality, choice of course, and you not having studied with us before.

Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship

  • International students
  • Chile

If you’re a Chilean student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) Scholarship.

Chevening Scholarships

  • International students
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China
  • Columbia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Ghana
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iraq
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Libya
  • Malaysia
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Nepal
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Russia
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and The Grenadines
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Taiwan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zimbabwe

If you’re an international student from an eligible country, joining a one-year master’s course, you could be eligible to apply for a Chevening Scholarship. If your application is successful, you could expect to have your master’s fees paid, up to a maximum of £18,000, and receive additional help with living costs.

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 30% discount on your tuition fees with a CONACyT Award.

Fund for the Development of Human Resources (FIDERH) Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree and you’re in receipt of a FIDERH graduate loan, you could be eligible to benefit from a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a FIDERH Award.

FUNED Award

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a Mexican student joining a master’s degree and you’re in receipt of a FUNED loan, you can apply to be considered for a 20% tuition fee discount. A total of up to 50 awards will be available to master’s and PhD students per academic year.

FUNED Scholarship for Women in STEM Subjects

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a female Mexican student joining an eligible master’s course in a science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) subject and you’re in receipt of a FUNED loan, you can apply to be considered for a 25% tuition fee discount. Up to five awards are available in each academic year.

Hong Kong Graduate Association & Tung Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships

  • International students
  • China
  • Hong Kong

If you’re a master’s student from Hong Kong or the People’s Republic of China who can demonstrate academic excellence, you may be eligible to apply for a scholarship worth up to £10,000 in partnership with the Tung Foundation.

HRH Princess Sirindhorn University of Liverpool Scholarship (Thailand)

  • International students
  • Thailand

If you’re a student from Thailand joining a one-year master’s degree, you might be eligible to apply to have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with living costs. One award is available and only students who are new to the University will be considered.

Humanitarian Scholarships for Master’s Programmes

  • International students

Do you have recognised status as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection outside the UK? Or are you a Ukrainian who’s sought temporary protection in the EU? You could be eligible to apply for the full payment of your master’s fees and additional financial support.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

  • Home students

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.

JuventudEsGto Scholarship

  • International students
  • Mexico

If you’re a resident of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees with a JuventudEsGto Scholarship.

Kaplan Digital Pathways Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Kaplan Digital Pathways Pre-Master’s? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of master’s study for a maximum of two high achieving students joining one of our non-clinical master’s courses from an online Kaplan Pre-Master’s programme.

Marshall Scholarship

  • International students
  • United States

If you’re a USA student joining an eligible master’s with us, you could be eligible to apply for a Marshall Scholarship. If your application is successful, your master’s tuition fees will be paid in full. One Marshall Scholarship for master’s study is available in each academic year.

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

  • Home students

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.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

  • Home and international students

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.

Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship

  • International students
  • Turkey

If you’re a Turkish student joining a master’s degree, you could be eligible to apply for a 20% discount on your tuition fees with a Turkish Ministry of Education Scholarship.

Graduate Loyalty Advancement Scholarship

  • Home and international students

If you’re a University of Liverpool graduate starting a 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.

University of Liverpool International College Excellence Scholarship

  • International students

Completed a Pre-Master’s at University of Liverpool International College (UoLIC)? We’re offering a £5,000 fee discount off the first year of master’s study to some of the highest achieving students joining one of our non-clinical master’s courses from UoLIC.

University of Liverpool International College Impact Progression Scholarships

  • International students

If you’re a University of Liverpool International College student awarded a Kaplan Impact Scholarship, we’ll also consider you for an Impact Progression Scholarship. If selected, you’ll receive a fee discount worth £3,000 off the first year of your master’s course.

Vice-Chancellor’s International Attainment Scholarship for Mainland China

  • International students
  • China

Are you a high-achieving graduate from the People’s Republic of China with a degree from a Chinese university? You could be eligible to apply for a £5,000 fee discount if you’re joining an eligible master’s course. Up to 15 eligible students will receive this scholarship.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

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Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

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.

English language requirements

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.

English language qualification Requirements
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 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

PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH

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.

Find out the length of Pre-Sessional English course you may require for this degree.

Pre-sessional English

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, with no component below 6.0, for further details.

About our entry requirements

Our entry requirements may change from time to time both according to national application trends and the availability of places at Liverpool for particular courses. We review our requirements before the start of the new application cycle each year and publish any changes on our website so that applicants are aware of our typical entry requirements before they submit their application.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted on the website.

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Why Liverpool?

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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Accommodation

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.

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Fees and Finance

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.

Changes to Housing and Community Planning MA

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

23 March 2023: New postgraduate taught course pages

New course pages launched.

1 November 2024: Housing and Community Planning MA – entry requirements

Added ‘ However, there are no pre-requisites. We also encourage applications from other subjects and from non-traditional academic backgrounds, provided applicants can demonstrate relevant experience or interest.’ (2025/26 entry)