Town Planning MSc (PGCert PGDip)

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

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Course structure

In order to meet the high professional standards required by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), students are required to complete four core modules as part of the course and have the opportunity for specialist study in allied areas.

Course delivery is divided into three parts.

• A taught portion requiring attendance at the university for lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes, individual supervision sessions and team working
• An individual research programme (the masters project) where you will broaden your learning and develop research skills directed at critical appraisal, examine innovative solutions to the problem at hand, and are taught to produce and defend a written thesis on a selected town planning topic with a university-based supervisor
• An individual professional learning log using an industry-based mentor.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Syllabus

All students will study six core modules and choose four option modules. These will allow you to specialise in the areas of the course that interest you the most.

Modules

Core modules

• Planning Theory and Practice

  In this module you’ll develop an understanding of alternative views in planning theory so you can generate responses to spatial planning challenges grounded in theory and explore how the core values of planning can be applied in changing circumstances. The module will cover areas including applied rationality; societal guidance; behavioural approaches and communicative practice; radical emancipatory practice; and the concept of individual and collective rights.

• Policy and Implementation in Town Planning

  This module examines the policies and processes behind spatial planning in England and Wales, covering the key principles, the roles of different stakeholders and how individual rights and community interests can be balanced. You’ll look at the changing planning policy framework which is used to guide development and land use and explore how and why this has changed over time.

• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities

  In this module you will look at the importance of climate change in the development of local coastal planning policies for energy, housing, transport and employment. You will also work with a local community group or a neighbourhood planning forum on an urban case study in or around Brighton and Hove. You will research, survey and analyse an area to produce effective responses to address the challenges of sustainable growth.

• Comparative Practice in Property and Planning

  In this module you’ll develop your understanding of spatial planning by examining the concepts and theories relevant to the study of urban change, spatial planning, property development and urban policy. You will study development finance valuation models and look at how core values of planning can be applied in changing political and economic circumstances.

• Learning Log

  During this module you will be able to reflect and make connections between your studies and your personal and professional experiences in order to progress your career development. You will also enhance your presentation, public speaking, team building and collaborative skills. The module includes presentations from key practitioners and professionals; mentoring workshops; study visits; and reflective practice.

• Masters Research Skills and Dissertation

  This project provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your capacity to work at masters level as an independent researcher in your chosen area of expertise and develop your own research project. The 15,000-word dissertation will evidence your broad understanding of the problems involved, your critical thinking, theoretical understanding, methodology and analysis.

Options*

• Situate

  This module introduces established and emerging principles, theories and themes in design. It will help you to situate your work within modern design trends and global issues and discover and develop what motivates you in your field. Themes covered may include sustainability discourses, power and politics, decolonising design, equity and equality, systemic complexity and creating change through design.

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• Contested Natures and Social Justice

  This module explores how power influences environmental change and governance. You will develop advanced critical skills by examining intellectual debates around nature, society and social justice in global environmental agendas. There’s a focus on how research in environmental social science is shaped by helps shape and new policies, activism and real-world actions. Learning will include reading, group discussions and guided visits.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  This module will examine the principles behind, and the practice of, environmental impact assessment (EIA). You will study the development of EIA and its integration into EU and UK law, and the relationship between EIA and sustainable development. You’ll also explore the importance of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the effects that it may have on UK and EU environmental management. The module will use case studies to provide local and national examples of environmental statements and discuss the importance of quality and review.

• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management

  This module gives you a core understanding of contemporary environmental management issues. It will assess the global mega trends driving the need for environmental management, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and cover concepts and policy interventions to address these challenges. The module includes case studies that critically evaluate how environmental management is being addressed from policy through to project level, including waste management, food supply, coastal environmental management, sustainable business models and energy.

• Critical Readings in Spatial Design

  In this module you will explore historical, theoretical and practical issues in architectural, spatial and urban design. You’ll reflect on your own ideas and experiences while considering how these issues relate to different cultural contexts. Seminars will address issues of disciplinary context, including the interrelationship of architecture with technical, political, social and cultural fields.

• Environmental Management in Organisations

  This module explores the evolution and philosophy behind environmental management in organisations and looks at environmental impacts and legislation. You will examine the reasons for incorporating environmental considerations into an organisation’s operations, including Net Zero, compliance with regulations, economic drivers, sustainability, resource efficiency and corporate social responsibility.

• Environmental Policy and Law

  This module is an in-depth exploration of environmental policy and law from international, European Union and the UK perspectives. Taught by environmental lawyers and practitioners, the module covers policy and law development, criminal and civil law and international conventions. You will consider aspects of policy and law across a range of areas including contaminated land, planning, waste and air quality.

• Sustainable Construction

  This module looks at how the design and construction of buildings impact the environment. It provides a critical appraisal of one planet living and the responsibilities of the individual and the construction industry, and explores the resources consumed and pollution resulting from buildings and methods by which their sustainability can be evaluated. Some of the key features of buildings acknowledged as ‘sustainable construction’ will also be appraised.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS will help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving and use them to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Environment Placement Module (supported by the Green Growth Platform)

  This professional work-based placement will help you develop critical evaluation skills, independent reflective learning practices and a deeper understanding of the relationship between academic theory and application of that knowledge. You will gain valuable experience in the environment and sustainability business sector and be supported in developing effective working practices and extending employability skills.

  Placements are thirty working days (six weeks) and will be with an organisation registered with the University of Brighton's award-winning Green Growth Platform.

• Independent Study

  In the Independent Study module, you will perform an in-depth investigation of a subject of interest from a chosen area of study that fits within broad field of environmental management but is outside the range of material covered by the course. Typical examples may include assessment of the role of waste management in environmental assessment, developing an environmental monitoring system for sustainable buildings and spatial analysis of ‘austerity’ news reporting. It will be distinct from the topic chosen for your dissertation.

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

Meet the team

Who is this course for?

• Graduates with unrelated first degrees seeking to study for planning qualifications
• Graduates in any relevant discipline – such as geography, architecture, building, surveying, law – wishing to gain a higher or specialist planning qualification
• Graduates with a first degree in planning looking to study for a masters qualification as a route to a professional career or further study at doctorate level
• Candidates without a degree who can demonstrate significant work experience and a wish to build a professional career will be considered for entry on to the certificate programme initially

Due to the professional nature of this course, overseas students who have already completed a postgraduate qualification can still register for this course and apply for a student visa.

Course fees

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

Funded by the RTPI in partnership with the British Chamber of Commerce Skills Fund, this scholarship designed to encourage students to progress into careers in town planning. It is aimed at Brighton graduates of our geography, ecology and conservation, and environment courses. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

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Support and wellbeing

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