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  • Chartered Town Planner

Chartered Town Planner Masters Degree Apprenticeship

Delivered by industry experts, our Chartered Town Planner Masters Degree Apprenticeship is the only RTPI and RICS-accredited course on the south coast.

The programme develops the understanding, skills and professional experience necessary to give apprentices a thorough grounding in the local and global issues affecting urban planning in the twenty-first century.

Our delivery is made richer as a result of our direct engagement with the RTPI and the RICS, along with the Town and Country Planning Association and the Royal Geographical Society, as well as agencies, local authorities, the UK government and EU advisory bodies.

Apprentices will develop their ability to think critically about the policies and practices that underpin urban planning, and be supported to identify the best social, economic and environmental solutions to real-world planning challenges.

Potential apprentices should read the FAQs to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before submitting an application.

Key information

University of Brighton award Town Planning MSc

Apprenticeship standard Chartered Town Planner (Degree)

Level 7

Start date September 2025

Application close date 
End of June 2025

Duration 2 years

Location Moulsecoomb

Accreditation Royal Town Planning Institute and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Ask us about apprenticeships

Programme details

Programme structure

Apprentices attend university one day a week during term time and will continue to have one day per week off-the-job learning out of term.

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met.

Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or will further apprentices development into new areas.

rics logo

rtpi logo

Our programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Syllabus 

Core modules

  • Planning Theory and Practice
  • Policy and Implementation in Town Planning
  • Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities
  • Comparative Practice in Property and Planning
  • Learning Log
  • Masters Research Skills and Dissertation

Options*

  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management
  • Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
  • Contested Natures and Social Justice
  • Situate
  • Environmental Management in Organisations
  • Environmental Policy and Law
  • Applications in GIS
  • Critical Readings in Spatial Design
  • Sustainable Construction
  • Independent Study 
  • Environment Placement Module (supported by the Green Growth Platform)

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Core skills

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to:

  • critically review and evaluate the context, procedures and practices by which town planning systems seek to control, direct and harness the forces that impact upon the environment
  • apply the tools and techniques for spatial planning
  • demonstrate a high level of expertise in a specific town planning field
  • develop methodologies and solutions for appraising project requirements
  • apply the skills of problem analysis; the preparation and presentation of solutions and the defence of these within peer group and external evaluation
  • develop the ability to work with peers and to contribute to group activities
  • expand professional knowledge and understanding through individual research.

Teaching and assessment

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role and will further develop the apprentice in new areas.

Apprentices on the programme will benefit from the experience of exiting practice through a professional mentoring system which is a collaboration with employers across the South East. The mentoring programme contributes towards attainment of the qualification and professional membership of the RTPI and RICS.

The teaching approach encourages independence in learning and utilises assessment strategies which reflect level 7 study with visits providing the opportunity to explore urban, rural and flood resilience policy-making and planning.

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A range of assessment methods relevant to the programme and RTPI learning outcomes are used so that apprentices may develop both subject knowledge and transferable skills.

Formative tasks used for assessment include:

  • group working
  • presentations
  • assessments.

Employer and apprentice commitments

In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:

  • conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
  • provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
  • attend apprentice’s progress review (twice a year) 
  • release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
  • have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will:

  • attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract 
  • record all training sessions and off-the-job learning 
  • attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and end-point assessment organisation
  • behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
  • engage with regular progress reviews 
  • complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.

Meet the team

Georgia Wrighton, MRTPI, course leader and senior lecturer

Georgia joined the university in January 2019 from a role teaching sustainable planning. She has over 28 years of experience as a planner working in the fields of planning education, local government, community planning and third sector campaigning.

Read Georgia’s full profile.

Georgia Wrighton

Andrew Coleman, MSc MRTPI FRGS, senior lecturer

Andrew previously worked at the Environment Agency where he was lead planning advisor, advising government officials on planning policy for flooding, coastal change and water planning policy, and National Policy Statements on energy, transport, wastewater and hazardous waste. He was seconded to government departments during the planning reforms 2007–2016. He is a member of Royal Town Planning Institute South East Regional Activities Committee.

Read Andrew’s full profile.

Andrew Coleman

Dr Helen Walker, senior lecturer

Helen worked in planning for several local authorities before joining the University of Westminster where she became chair, Department of Urban Development and Regeneration. She subsequently worked for the former DCLG, Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Environment Agency. She is a Design Council CABE built environment expert appointed to the UCL and Highways England design panels.

Read Helen’s full profile.

Dr Helen Walker

Fees and funding information for apprentices 

Course fees

As an apprentice, the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support, but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Learning Support team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Support Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton and Hove bus discount

NUS card

The structure of the apprenticeship works really well, I really enjoy being in a workplace whilst studying as I feel I have a great support network from both the university and my employer.

Hannah Riddle, Planning Apprentice, Arun District Council.

Entry requirements

Degree and experience

  • Normally a 2:2 honours degree in appropriate subject
  • A-level or other relevant qualifications, such as Level 3 apprenticeship, and relevant experience. Candidates with qualifications other than a degree will be required to demonstrate their ability to study at postgraduate level by submitting evidence of prior learning.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) will be considered for individual applicants in line with the University of Brighton RPL policy.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Location

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Over the last four years Moulsecoomb has undergone a major transformation, planned with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability in mind.

On campus you’ll find professional-standard facilities and learning resources for all of our subjects and a brand new academic building Elm House, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and the Students’ Union.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

New buildings in the Moulsecoomb development viewed from the street

Why choose us?

  • Specialist focus on sustainable development, economic development, coastal regeneration and climate change
  • Degrees with a difference: creativity, sustainability and social responsibility are core values at the University of Brighton
  • Courses developed and accredited by our Industrial Advisory Board
  • Apprenticeships rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted
  • 25 years’ experience in producing high-quality graduates
  • High-quality teaching and learning facilities in specialist laboratories
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