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Town and Regional Planning

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The deadline for international students is 30 June 2024.

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Master of Town and Regional Planning

Master of Town and Regional Planning, MPlan, is an integrated master’s degree which combines undergraduate and postgraduate study into a single course.

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Course overview

The Town and Regional Planning MPlan programme is designed for those who wish to pursue a professional career in urban, regional and environmental planning. The MPlan offers two pathways with distinct specialisms in transforming cities and regions and spatial planning for environmental change.

Introduction

Attention is focused on approaches to planning for the urban environment 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.

With major changes occurring in how we address transport infrastructure, housing and green belt development studying a degree in Planning from the University of Liverpool provides the practical skills, as well as, the theoretical understanding required to balance the needs of urban and rural development.

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. With a pioneering approach to planning and regeneration, Liverpool is an ideal location in which to study town and regional planning. Over the past 30 years Liverpool has been transformed economically, socially and environment. Staff and students from Planning at 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.

The Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) programme is designed to satisfy the professional accreditation requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and enables you to fast track into the planning profession. It is a combined programme that meets both spatial and specialist RTPI planning requirements.

You will have the opportunity, from year three onwards, to specialise in either Spatial planning and environmental change or Transforming cities and regions. The four year programme provides you with a more in-depth understanding of the practice-orientated nature of planning and its context than can be achieved in a one-year intensive masters programme.

Work experience opportunities

You will have the opportunity to work with real practitioners as we work with local and international experts on projects and field trips. You are also encouraged to undertake internships or placements with planning agencies throughout your programme.

A flexible approach

The Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) programme has been developed alongside our other planning programmes allowing you to transfer between programmes within the first two years should your interests or career aspirations change.

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.

What you'll learn

  • An awareness and appreciation of the current planning profession
  • A depth of knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of the field of town and regional planning
  • The development of sound practice skills in the methods and techniques of planning
  • An understanding of the legal framework within which planning operates
  • An awareness and appreciation of planning practice in other European countries
  • The development of skills in analysis, synthesis, reasoned argument and communication
  • Knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of planning
  • The development of research, teamwork and other professional skills of relevance to planning practice

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), providing combined spatial and specialist accreditation (dependent upon module selection in year three).

Accreditations in detail

Teaching Excellence Framework 2023

We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.

Accreditations

The programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), providing combined spatial and specialist accreditation (dependent upon module selection in year three).

Course content

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

Year one

Your first year of study introduces you to planning issues and the circumstances in which they arise. It provides an understanding of how planning powers, agencies and policies work to overcome the challenges that face cities and communities. You will also improve your oral, written and visual communication skills and engage in group-based problem solving and practical work with a residential field trip so you can put your newfound skills into practice in a real-life setting.

You will take the following compulsory modules and select two choices from the optional modules detailed below.

Compulsory modules

Community Planning (ENVS102)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

Planning is about providing good quality places for people to live in. This is an issue at different scales, from the global through the national to the local, and the community level. This module focuses on the latter; it investigates the factors which affect the quality of places at the neighbourhood scale and the role played by communities. The module features a mixture of interactive learning styles, including lectures, seminars and workshops. In the second half of the module, a real-life project is introduced, building on the skills developed in this and other modules.

Contemporary Town Planning (ENVS152)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This project-based module focuses on real-world planning projects set within a local context. It asks students to map out their subjective experiences of the urban realm, and to couple these with the kinds of thematic maps used in normative planning practice. Students then focus their attention on a specific site within these maps. By critically engaging with existing development proposals they will produce new insights and proposals.

Ecology and Conservation (ENVS157)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

The zone of life on earth, or the ‘biosphere’, is a highly dynamic system responding to external pressures including changing human activities. The biosphere obeys a numbers of simple natural principles, but these often interact to create complex and sometimes unexpected responses. Using a wide range of examples we will explore these interactions between organisms and the environment. We will examine how species organise into communities, and how energy and other resources flow through ecosystems. We will explore how ecosystems respond to change, including gradual environmental shifts, sudden disturbance events and the effects of human activities. We will also learn how the key principles of ecology can be applied to conservation. We will assess the current state of the biosphere, and evaluate the major current threats. We will also look towards the future of ecosystems, including whether we can restore degraded habitats, and recreate “natural” landscapes.

Town and Country Planning: An Introduction (ENVS110)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

Town and Country Planning: An Introduction is desgined to provide a gentle introduction into the world of urban planning. To achieve this the module covers three distinct elements. The first covers the history of the town planning movement in Britain from the Victorians through to the modern day. The second provides an overview of the workings of the current planning system. The third explores the practical applications of planning thinking, and provides some early ideas about the kinds of jobs a planner might do. The module is assessment through coursework and exam.

Understanding Place (ENVS105)

Credits: 15 / Semester: whole session

This module provides an exciting introduction to the skills you need as a Planning student. In the first semester, students are introduced to core academic skills, including essay writing, academic referencing, and oral communication. In the second semester, students will undertake a careers and employability exercise, learning about career opportunities in urban and environmental planning and developing a personalised CV that can be used to pursue future career opportunities. Learning and teaching is delivered through lectures, small-group seminars, practical exercises and a residential field class.

Urban and Environmental Economics (ENVS155)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

​Economics affects every part of our daily lives. Using contemporary planning issues as our guide, we explore how urban and environmental economics shapes our world, for positive and negative. To do so we will explore the basic economic functions which govern urban thinking, and how economics is used to focus on some of the world’s grand challenges. The module is assessed by coursework and examination.

Optional modules

CONTEXT 1.1: HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE (ARCH171)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

History of architecture survey course.

Human Geography Through Merseyside (ENVS162)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

Liverpool has been described as ‘the world in one city’, and in this module we utilise this unique geographical location to introduce key concepts and practices of human geography. Through a combination of field excursions, lectures and practical exercises, we develop skills of data collection, interpretation and analysis through considering the history, politics and socio-demographic characteristics of the city. The module helps students understand the connection between geographical concepts and real-world examples and is assessed through data analysis practicals and a field-based portfolio exercise.

Living with Environmental Change (ENVS119)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

This module examines a number of global ‘grand challenges’ facing humans on the planet earth related to climate and environmental change. It will introduce students to core concepts of sustainability and human impacts upon the environment, as well as exploring the range of proposed solutions and mitigation strategies which are available to understand climate and environmental change. The module thus provides a core knowledge base for social and natural scientists who wish to understand environmental change.

New Horizons in Human Geography (ENVS116)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module introduces new aspects of geographical thought to the First-Year students which are unlikely to have been encountered via an A level geography syllabus. It also aims to enhance students’ understanding and awareness of complex global issues, focusing on two sub-disciplinary themes in human geography. Exact content will vary each year to reflect changes in the discipline, but broadly, one area will focus on understanding human population changes and geographical data (e.g. health or population geographies), whilst another will explore social, cultural and political approaches to geography (e.g. geopolitics, borders and nation states).

Research Frontiers in Human Geography (ENVS161)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 1

Contemporary Human Geography is a diverse discipline which offers unique insights into many of the most pressing challenges facing the world in the 21st Century. Many of the issues that reach the headlines on a daily basis are inherently geographical and research within human geography makes important contributions to knowledge of a broad range of social, cultural, political, economic, environmental and development challenges. This module provides an introduction to cutting edge debates within contemporary human geography, highlighting the ways in which the discipline contributes to interdisciplinary knowledge production across the humanities and social sciences. Each week, module lectures will provide an introduction to a different sub-disciplinary field, which will be explored with the aid of specific worked examples which encourage students to apply the theoretical issues discussed to ‘real world’ issues. Assessment is by coursework (mid-term essay) and a written exam (end-of-term).

Global Challenges: Development, Inequality, Alternatives (ENVS144)

Credits: 15 / Semester: semester 2

This module is designed to appeal to students who would like to live in a better world and are interested in exploring and discussing critical approaches to inequality. Students on the module will gain understanding of the multiple and contested ways in which global challenges and international development are defined and studied. This will include critical attention to uneven processes of development over time and space, particularly related to global environmental change, inequality, and health. Similarly, the module provides a solid foundation and analysis of the historical, political, and economic forces related to globalisation. Students will therefore be critically informed about what globalisation produces for differing communities, cultures, and ecosystems. Students will also gain insight into how varying communities in different places are responding to development, globalisation, environmental injustices, and inequality through both resistance and building alternatives.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

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.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global Opportunities

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.

What's available on this course?

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/ minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Your experience

All of our programmes benefit from the expertise of our academic staff who are leading global discussions in spatial planning, planning economics, marine planning, and environmental assessment and management. This means you will benefit from research-led teaching, bringing the latest planning theory and practice into the classroom. Within the Department we also edit two respected peer-reviewed academic journals (Town Planning Review and Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal) and host the Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Cities and the Environmental Assessment and Management Centre. All of this means you can be confident that your learning is at the forefront of the discipline.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability

Our Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) accredited programmes ensure that you are fully qualified to enter this dynamic profession on graduation.

If you wish to continue your education beyond your undergraduate degree we also offer a range of postgraduate degrees, including our RTPI accredited Master of Civic Design.

We also offer a series of specialist postgraduate programmes including:

  • MSc Marine Planning and Management (RTPI accredited)
  • MSc Environmental Assessment and Management (IEMA accredited)
  • MA Town and Regional Planning.
  • Further PhD study.

Career paths taken by our recent graduates:

  • Planning and environmental consultants
  • Transport planning and urban regeneration
  • Economic development
  • Environmental management
  • GIS and data science specialists
  • Social housing.

Our recent graduates have found employment with the following:

  • Consultancy: Atkins, Arup, Indigo, Savills
  • Local Authority: Islington Borough Council, Lancashire County Council
  • Public bodies: Transport for London (TFL), Natural England, Environment Agency, National Parks Authorities
  • Non-governmental organisations: Liverpool Vision, Council for the Protection of Rural England, RSPB
  • Advocacy: Housing associations, social enterprise, economic development.

90% of geography and planning students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

Discover Uni, 2018-19.

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 £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £24,800
Year abroad fee £12,400
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies..

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 may include a laptop, books, or stationery. Additional costs for this course could include field class and project costs.

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 may include a laptop, books, or stationery. Additional costs for this course could include field class and project costs.

Project/dissertation costs

The School of Environmental Sciences will provide a budget of up to £200 for field/lab-based projects. Desk-based projects receive no budget.

Field classes

Core costs for compulsory field classes are covered.

Year three optional field classes:

  • Option A: One-week residential field class in Europe (e.g. Paris). Students meet travel and subsistence costs
  • Option B: Two-week residential field class in China (Shanghai). Students meet full costs.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Entry requirements

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

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here

Your qualification Requirements

About our typical entry requirements

A levels

ABB

Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with A in the EPQ.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme.

T levels

T levels considered in a relevant subject.

Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism.

GCSE 4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

D*DD in relevant diploma.

International Baccalaureate

33 points, with no score less than 4.

Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Not accepted with out Advanced Highers at grades ABB.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Accepted at grade B, including two A levels at AB.
Access Access - 45 Level 3 credits in graded units in a relevant Diploma, including 30 at Distinction and a further 15 with at least Merit.
International qualifications

Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course.

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 5.5
International Baccalaureate

33 points, with no score less than 4.

TOEFL iBT 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19
Duolingo English Test 120 overall, with no component below 95 
Pearson PTE Academic 61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic 70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.  
International Baccalaureate English B/English Language and Literature/English Language Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced 176 overall, with no paper below 162

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 5.5 6 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 10 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 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 20 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with 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 5.5, for further details.

Contextual offers: reduced grade requirements

Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

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 UCAS 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.

Recent changes to government policy which determine the number of students individual institutions may admit under the student number control also have a bearing on our entry requirements and acceptance levels, as this policy may result in us having fewer places than in previous years.

We believe in treating applicants as individuals, and in making offers that are appropriate to their personal circumstances and background. For this reason, we consider a range of factors in addition to predicted grades, widening participation factors amongst other evidence provided. Therefore the offer any individual applicant receives may differ slightly from the typical offer quoted in the prospectus and on the website.

Alternative entry requirements

  • If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
  • If you are returning to learning, have had a disrupted education or are switching career pathways, the one-year Go Higher diploma qualifies you to apply for University of Liverpool arts, humanities and social sciences programmes
  • Applications from mature students are welcome.

Changes to Town and Regional Planning MPlan

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.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.

7 December 2022: Accreditation information update

Accreditation section text changed from:

‘The programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) , providing combined spatial and specialist accreditation.’

to:

‘The programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), providing combined spatial and specialist accreditation (dependent upon module selection in year three)’