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International City Planning MSc

London, Bloomsbury

UCL’s International City Planning MSc provides an international perspective on planning systems and cultures, urban theories and local practices, emphasising comparative understanding across different national contexts. This accredited urban planning master’s degree prepares you to take on career opportunities across planning practice, policy and consultancy. With a strong network and practical field experiences, graduates are well-equipped to drive sustainable urban development globally.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

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.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

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. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

The International City Planning MSc offers students a global perspective on planning systems and cultures, fostering a critical understanding of the similarities and differences among national planning approaches. The course emphasizes the cultural specificity and context-dependency of planning practices, enhancing your appreciation of planning as a diverse and adaptable field. You will acquire a wide range of skills and knowledge in planning and urban theory within a global context, with opportunities to specialise in an area of interest.

During your degree you will:

  • Learn about the pillar of planning, developing the ability to think critically about space and place as the basis for action or intervention.
  • Investigate various national planning systems and approaches, identifying key analytical themes and challenges that may be common or unique in different contexts.
  • Engage with critical international debates on emerging and dominant trends in comparative urbanism and planning, examining various theoretical, practical, and ethical challenges.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of urban planning theory and apply it through collaborative group projects, and seminars.
  • Gain practical experience preparing you for your future career by completing a group plan-making exercise guided by studio tutors. You will develop a strategic plan for the future development of a large-scale urban area in an international city, taking a field trip to the case study location.
  • Specialise in a subject area relating to international city planning. Your specialism is formed by choosing a set pair of modules on a chosen topic including sustainable urbanism, urban design, urban regeneration, governance, housing, infrastructure planning, smart city, and historic cities.
  • Gain a degree accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Who this course is for

The course is designed for students who want an international perspective on planning systems and practices or are likely to develop careers outside the UK after graduation, in planning or related fields such as housing, urban regeneration, transport planning, and urban design.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

World-class, research-led education
Our school has been at the forefront of international planning research and teaching for over 100 years. Our faculty, The Bartlett, is ranked #1 for built environment studies in the world (QS World University Rankings 2024). The Bartlett is also where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken (REF 2021).

Enrich your international city planning studies in London
With our campus located in the heart of the city, you are surrounded by opportunities to explore UK urban programmes and planning approaches firsthand. London is a global hub, hosting consultancies that operate internationally in planning-related activities as well as public institutions and non-profit organisations working with local communities on pressing issues, offering opportunities to connect with industry professionals. London has also been ranked the best city for students in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2025).

Advance your international planning career
The course has been carefully designed for graduates of any discipline, who wish to make a career in planning in central and local government, private consultancy, voluntary bodies, as well as in related fields like housing, urban regeneration, transport planning, or urban design. During your degree you will gain broad range of skills and knowledge, and hands-on experience working on collaborative planning projects at different scales and in different contexts. Leveraging London’s strategic location, this MSc provides you with numerous opportunities to engage with practitioners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. These professionals are involved as guest speakers in lectures and public events, as tutors in project-based modules, and as key informants during the dissertation process.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

98% of International City Planning MSc students are in work or study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-2021)

Recent graduates of the International City Planning MSc have successfully found employment internationally, across the public sector (overseas local, regional, and central government), the private sector in planning-related consultancies working globally, and international bodies (UN Habitat) and the non-profit sector (NGOs and Community organisations) working locally or globally. Others have continued their professional career in planning-related sectors, specialised for instance in urban regeneration, transport, or housing, also in leading London-based planning and urban design consultancies, UK-based local authorities and government offices, and academic research and teaching.

Employers of our graduates include Arup, Avison Young, Buro Happold, European Institute for Innovation and Technology, International SOS, National Parks Board Singapore, Swire, Savills, Sedas Strategic Land, in national governments and city and district councils around the world.

Find out more about careers in planning and our alumni careers ►

Employability

You will acquire a range of transferable skills essential for advancing your career in planning and the built environment, including:

  • Developing critical thinking, integrating analytical skills and applying creative problem-solving techniques—vital for producing research-driven writing (such as reports, policy documents, and papers) and for managing urban projects that address complex issues, from strategic planning to urban design. 
  • The ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary environments and to present effectively to diverse audiences.
  • Familiarity with software for analyses and graphics.

Working with dedicated specialists in UCL's Careers Service and our careers specialist in The Bartlett School of Planning you will be supporting in exploring your options, gaining valuable skills and experience, demonstrating your hands-on experience and guiding you through the job application process. 

Networking

The Bartlett School of Planning and UCL's dedicated Careers Network are here to assist you in exploring your career options, giving you the opportunity to participate in various events and training tailored to your industry, such as alumni and industry insight panels, career taster sessions, masterclasses, careers fairs and more. We also offer opportunities to engage with practitioners who engage with the course as guest speakers, as tutors in project-based modules, and as key informants during the dissertation process.

Accreditation

Successfully completing the International City Planning MSc will make you eligible for ‘licentiate’ membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Learn more about urban planning degree accreditation ►

Teaching and learning

The course offers a multidisciplinary education, intersecting urban planning, urban design, sociology, economics, governance, regeneration, housing, infrastructure, smart cities, and heritage. It employs diverse teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project work, field study visits, and an international field trip, culminating in an independent research dissertation. Combining individual and group work, the degree develops a broad range of planning and design-relevant skills, grounded in comparative study principles, and provides pathways for specialisation or research careers. It equips students with both conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving skills.

Throughout your degree you take assessments including individual and group work, essays, examination, and skills-based practical work.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Modules

Full-time study takes place over 1 year. You will undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), two elective specialist modules (30 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits). 

Alongside your core modules you will choose to specialise in one of the following areas of interest, by undertaking the set pair of modules listed below. 

Governance for Sustainability and Inclusion: 

Planning for Urban Design: 

Urban Regeneration: 

Sustainable Urbanism: 

Infrastructure Planning: 

Planning for Housing: 

Urban Development in Historic Cities and Neighbourhoods: 

Smart City Theory and Practice: 

Part-time study takes place over 2 years, covering the value of 180 credits.
Students undertake three core modules (45 credits) and one specialist module (15 credits) each year and prepare for the research dissertation (60 credits) which is developed in the second year.

You will choose to specialise in one of the following areas of interest, by undertaking the set pair of modules: 

Governance for Sustainability and Inclusion: 

Planning for Urban Design: 

Urban Regeneration: 

Sustainable Urbanism: 

Infrastructure Planning: 

Planning for Housing: 

Urban Development in Historic Cities and Neighbourhoods: 

Smart City Theory and Practice: 

Modular/flexible study takes place over no more than 5 years, covering the value of 180 credits.

You will discuss the structure with the programme director dependent how long you wish to study for but would usually start with at least one module  in the first year and finish with the research dissertation in the last year. Throughout the study it is possible to move from Full-time and Part-time to modular/flexible study.

Alongside your core modules you will choose to specialise in one of the following areas of interest, by undertaking the set pair of modules: 
 

Governance for Sustainability and Inclusion: 

Planning for Urban Design: 

Urban Regeneration: 

Sustainable Urbanism: 

Infrastructure Planning: 

Planning for Housing: 

Urban Development in Historic Cities and Neighbourhoods: 

Smart City Theory and Practice: 

Compulsory modules









Optional modules



















Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in International City Planning.

Fieldwork

Our course also includes a residential field trip which is typically based in a European city. It covers a range of spatial planning themes linked to the 'International Planning Project' module. This is an opportunity for our students to consider built environment issues in real world settings and network as a course community. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

This course includes one field trip. Travel and accommodation (including breakfast) for the trip will be covered by UCL, however students will need to cover the costs for visas, other daily meals and any other personal expenses. The exact costs will depend on the location and prevailing exchange rates; however, it is estimated that students would need to budget between £200 and £300.

During the course we will also attend site visits across London. Students will need to pay for their own transport to sites. Based on visits last year you should expect to budget up to £60 across the year to access sites by public transport. Sites are always within the TFL travel zones, and full-time students should be able to benefit from a student Oyster card for slightly discounted travel rates.

Some modules require printing of posters. Printing costs will depend on your choice modules. Requirements for poster submission are listed in the module descriptions.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UCL offers a range of financial awards aimed at assisting both prospective and current students with their studies.

In our faculty, The Bartlett Promise Scholarship aims to enable students from backgrounds underrepresented in the built environment to pursue master's studies. Please see the UK Master's scholarship and Sub-Saharan Africa Master's scholarship pages for more information on eligibility criteria, selection process and FAQs.

We have given an overview of other funding options you may be eligible for on The Bartlett School of Planning and The Bartlett websites.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Masters Scholarship

Deadline: 28 March 2025
Value: Fees, stipend and other allowances (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Bartlett Promise UK Master's Scholarship

Deadline: 31 May 2025
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,864 maintenance/yr (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

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.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study International City Planning at graduate level
  • why you want to study International City Planning at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

To support you in the application process we have written a guide on writing a personal statement for an urban planning degree. 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Bartlett School of Planning
Bartlett School of Planning

bsp.pgt@ucl.ac.uk

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