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This two-year long full time Master's programme encourages students to think independently and critically about city and regional planning problems both domestically and internationally. It specifically emphasizes the importance of both a spatial and comparative perspective to planning.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2019
Modes and duration
Full-time students study for 37.5 hours per week during term time. Typically, lectures and seminars occur on two days per week.
Application dates
Tuition fees (2019/20)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website. The programme comprises 300 credits in total. The full-time fee quoted is for the first year only (150 credits); the fee in the second year will be subject to UCL's annual fee increase.
The MPlan City Planning is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard is required.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
The programme equips students theoretically and practically, engaging them academically and in practice with planning and related fields of knowledge. Students will learn how to think critically, creatively and analytically across different spatial scales, from strategic to local - and across urban design, city planning, place-making, real estate and sustainability arenas - as they seek integrated solutions to defined planning problems.
Students undertake modules to the value of 300 credits.
MSc students must take seven compulsory modules (135 credits), one optional module (45 credits), two elective modules (30 credits), all assessed by either coursework or exam or both, and submit a 15,000-word dissertation or major personal project (90 credits).
Compulsory modules
- Spatial Planning: Concepts and Contexts (15 credits)
- Pillars of Planning (30 credits)
- Urban Design: Place Making (15 credits)
- Sustainability and Environmental Justice (15 credits)
- Plan Making Studio (30 credits)
- Planning Practice (15 credits)
- Dissertation in City Planning (90 credits)
- Comparative Planning Systems and Cultures (15 credits)
Optional modules
- Any open MSc module from the Bartlett School of Planning or Centre for Applied Spatial Analysis (15 credits)
- Either Study Abroad in City Planning, orWork Placement in City Planning
Dissertation/report
All students undertake an independent research project comprising a proposal of 2,000 words and culminating in a dissertation of 15,000 words.
Teaching and learning
Methods of delivery will vary (because of the flexible nature of the programme) but a student might encounter studio teaching, formal lectures, analytical modelling, small-group tutorials and discussion, formal presentations, and site visits. Student performance is assessed through individual and group work, essays, and project work.
Placement
Term two of year two is spent either as study abroad or in an industry placement.
Additional costs
The purchase of books many constitute an additional cost, but there is no requirement to purchase any book as part of the programme. Optional modules may incur additional expenses.
The option to study at a partner university or take a UK work placement incurs no extra cost but students will be expected to pay for their own travel.
Funding
Scholarships relevant to this department are displayed below.
Bartlett Masters Scholarship
- Note:
- Deadline is 26 April (4pm GMT)
- Value:
- £10,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU, Overseas
- Criteria:
- Based on financial need
Brown Family Bursary
- Note:
- Now closed for 2019/20
- Value:
- £15,000 (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
Bartlett School of Planning Centenary Scholarships
- Note:
- Deadline is 12 July 2019 (5pm)
- Value:
- £9,200 towards fees (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
BSP Centenary Scholarship
- Value:
- £9,200 towards tuition fees (1 year)
- Eligibility:
- UK, EU
- Criteria:
- Based on both academic merit and financial need
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
Why study this degree at UCL?
In the second term of Year 2, students will have the option to study outside of the UK in one of our partner universities. Alternatively, you can take a work placement in the UK.
UCL Bartlett School of Planning has a strong history of teaching and research at all levels. The school has been at the forefront of planning research and teaching for more than 100 years and is one of the foremost planning schools in the United Kingdom, with an international reputation.
Located in the heart of London, which offers unique opportunities to study the complexities of contemporary urban design and planning processes, the school encourages students to engage with practitioners, alumni and academic guests through its programme of seminars, site visits and workshops.
Accreditation:
The MPlan City Planning is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Department: Bartlett School of Planning
What our students and staff say
"These past two years have been some of the most enriching, inspiring and intellectually challenging years of my academic career. Coming from a Sociological and Geographical background, I did not have many technical or design skills. Having the chance to undertake a placement in practice, but also to participate in the multiple group urban design studios that the course offers, I can now say that I feel confident in starting a career in urban planning. Not only was the content of the modules stimulating, teachers encouraged us to think outside the box and challenge our preconceived ideas. This prepared us to the practicalities of the professional world, but also to continuously question ideas that we might encounter throughout our career. Studying alongside other curious and motivated students made my experience even richer. We had the chance to travel on two fieldtrips outside London, which exposed us to different ways of practicing planning, and opened our mind to new systems. "
Lucy Bretelle
City Planning MPlan (2020)
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £75 for online applications and £100 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
This degree programme will be particularly suitable for students from architectural, planning, urban design, landscape, real estate or civil engineering backgrounds, although others might also be considered.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 26 July 2019
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowContact information
- Dr Michael Short, Programme Director
- michael.short@ucl.ac.uk
- 02031089650
Page last modified on 6 September 2019 by UCL Student Recruitment Marketing