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Transport and City Planning MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The Transport and City Planning MSc blends cross-disciplinary insights on transport and urban planning. You'll engage with global debates and innovative strategies, addressing the transition to sustainable urban mobility, seeking to understand how transport can support the sustainable city. Engaging with sustainable mobility trends, theories and international case studies, you'll develop a comprehensive skill set preparing for a dynamic career in transport and urban planning.

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 academic year
2 academic years
5 academic years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025

Applications closed

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

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree or other qualification of equivalent standard in Urban Planning, Geography, Engineering, Transport Planning, or related disciplines; and/or related work experience.

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.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

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 Transport and City Planning MSc equips you to excel as a transport and urban planning professional, breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries. You will draw from a range of different theories and perspectives from transport and urban planning disciplines to explore transport as an integrated part of the planning of sustainable cities globally. The course explores the theory underpinning city planning along with the complexities of balancing environmental, social, and economic objectives. It covers a wide range of topics from the context and rationale for transport, the psychological and sociological dimensions to mobilities, and infrastructure and project planning procedures and implementation.

During your degree you will: 

  • Explore transport planning from the perspective of social sciences, critically examining current approaches to explore the impacts and find new possibilities for sustainable urban mobility.
  • Delve into transport-related issues around the world, using case studies to analyse trends, strategies, and consider how policy can promote sustainable travel patterns.
  • Understand key debates on the tensions and synergies between the environmental, social,  economic and institutional dimensions of sustainability in cities.
  • Learn about the impact of transport on well-being and quality of life, analysing travel behaviours, perceptions of travel and its connections to hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, social exclusion, health, travel behaviour, attitudes, and residential choices. 
  • Explore sustainable transport issues first hand on a residential field trip, such as cycling, public transport and traffic demand management in the Netherlands and Germany.
  • Build your studies around your future ambitions by choosing between taking a transport-focused route with specialist modules in Sustainability and Major Infrastructure Investments and Transport Consultancy Study or a planning-focused route with a Sustainable Urban Development masterplanning project module.
  • Explore your own interests, choosing elective modules to specialise in: Transport Analytics, Spatial Planning, Urban Design, Community Participation, Urban Railway Planning, Geographical Information Systems, Transport Equity, Cities and Climate Change, or wider.

Who this course is for

This degree is for graduates looking to start or continue a career in transport or urban planning in public or private sectors both in the UK and internationally. Applicants come from backgrounds in transport planning, engineering, urban planning, geography, transport planning, engineering, politics, sociology, psychology, or wider.

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

What this course will give you

Research-led world-class education
Across our faculty our academic experts are creating impactful transport research working with organisations such as Transport for London, UK Department for Transport, European Union, Asian Development Bank and European Investment Bank. Our faculty, The Bartlett, is ranked #1 for Built Environment studies in the world (QS World University Rankings). The Bartlett is also where the UK’s most ‘World Leading’ and ‘Internationally Excellent’ built environment research is undertaken (REF 2021).

Study in London, a progressive transport hub
London is home to many new major transport infrastructure and planning projects aimed at improving accessibility and promoting sustainable urban mobility options. As a backdrop to your studies these are fascinating examples of transport planning, infrastructure and policy in action. London is also the best city for students in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2025).

Build your career in transport and planning
Whether you aim to start a career in transport planning or enhance your professional expertise, the Transport and City Planning MSc provides you with the essential skills and knowledge to succeed. The degree is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), making you eligible to apply for membership and further validating the professional skills gained from your studies to employers. You can also work towards your Transport Planning Professional (TPP) accreditation, following a working portfolio.

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

The foundation of your career

100% of graduates from Transport and City Planning MSc were in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-21)

While most graduates are employed in planning and transport-related consultancy or in local government and central government, our graduates also work in:

  • Transport, planning, urban regeneration and environmental consultancies and agencies.
  • City, regional and local authorities
  • International funding institutions (including the European Investment Bank and Asian Development Bank).
  • Third sector and lobby groups.
  • Teaching and research.

Employers of our graduates include Aecom, Atkins, Arup, Citymapper, Jacobs, Alan Baxter, Momentum, Mott Macdonald, Transport for London, UK Department for Transport, Transport for Greater Manchester, Sustrans, various London borough authorities, international city authorities and research organisations.

Employability

You will gain many transferable skills required to build your career in planning and the built environment. These include:

  • A critical understanding of transport and city planning
  • Qualitative and quantitative research skills
  • Project management, data analytics and report writing

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, gaining valuable skills and experience, and guiding you through the job application process. You will be given 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. The Transport and City Planning MSc seminar series includes alumni events with consultancy and local authority practitioner speakers and networking time.

Accreditation

If you hold an RTPI accredited undergraduate degree then successfully completing the Transport & City Planning MSc (as either a full MSc or a PG Diploma) will make you eligible for membership of the RTPI.

Teaching and learning

During your degree you will engage in interactive learning. Alongside lectures, seminars and tutorials we include field trips, group project work, presentations and individual assessments. We also have significant input from practitioner experts and external contributors. These diverse approaches to teaching and learning are developed to enhance your experience on the Transport and City Planning MSc.

Through your degree you will be assessed through a mix of examinations, essays, group/individual projects and presentation, and a dissertation.

In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 8 and 15 contact hours per teaching week through lectures, workshops and tutorials. In term 3 students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

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.

The Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) consists of six compulsory modules (90 credits) and two optional modules (30 credits), taken over nine months if full-time study. .

Modules

The programme consists of four compulsory core modules, two optional modules, two elective module(s) and a dissertation. Students undertake modules, usually each of 15 credits, to the value of 180 credits. 

The MSc programme explores two key themes:  

  • Transport planning – theory, concepts, emerging themes, analytics and case studies 
  • Urban planning – theory, concepts, emerging themes and masterplanning 

The taught modules are delivered in term 1 and term 2 of each year.  

Core modules 

  • Transport planning and the city 
  • Sustainable urban development: key themes  
  • International case studies on transport and city planning 
  • Transport and well-being 

Optional ‘transport’ route 

  • Transport consultancy study 
  • Sustainability and major infrastructure investments 

Optional ‘planning’ route 

  • Sustainable urban development: project (30 credits) 

Two elective modules are taken from the catalogue of elective modules, available from The Bartlett School of Planning, Development Planning Unit, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, and wider. Students also take the dissertation module (60 credits) either in the year in which they complete the final taught modules or the year after they have completed all taught modules, as long as this is not more than five consecutive years after they first enrolled. 

As a part-time student you will typically take your taught modules over a period of two years (over four teaching terms) and will complete your dissertation in term three at the end of your second year. But the programme is available part time over 2-5 years. 

The programme consists of four compulsory modules, two optional modules, two elective module(s) and a dissertation. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. 

Core modules 

  • Transport planning and the city 
  • Sustainable urban development: key themes  
  • International case studies on transport and city planning 
  • Transport and well-being 

Optional ‘transport’ route 

  • Transport consultancy study 
  • Sustainability and major infrastructure investments 

Optional ‘planning’ route 

  • Sustainable urban development: project (30 credits) 

Two elective modules are taken from the catalogue of elective modules, available from The Bartlett School of Planning, Development Planning Unit, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, and wider. Students also take the dissertation module (60 credits) either in the year in which they complete the final taught modules or the year after they have completed all taught modules, as long as this is not more than five consecutive years after they first enrolled.

Modular/flexible students can take their taught modules during term time and after completing this will move to their dissertation research. The modular/flexible approach can be completed in 2 - 5 years. 

The programme consists of four compulsory modules, two optional modules, elective module(s) and a dissertation. Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. 

Core modules 

  • Transport planning and the city 
  • Sustainable urban development: key themes  
  • International case studies on transport and city planning
  • Transport and well-being 

Optional ‘transport’ route 

  • Transport consultancy study 
  • Sustainability and major infrastructure investments 

Optional ‘planning’ route 

  • Sustainable urban development: project (30 credits) 

Two elective modules are taken from the catalogue of elective modules, available from The Bartlett School of Planning, Development Planning Unit, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, and wider. Students also take the dissertation module (60 credits) either in the year in which they complete the final taught modules or the year after they have completed all taught modules, as long as this is not more than five consecutive years after they first enrolled. 

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. Students can either take the Transport Route or Planning Route. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Transport and City Planning. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Transport and City Planning.

Fieldwork

The degree includes an introductory field trip around transport and planning projects in London and a four-day residential field trip during which transport, planning, infrastructure and sustainability themes are explored in different place contexts. This is an opportunity to consider challenges 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.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

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.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

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.

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

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.

The Rees Jeffreys Road Fund scholarship and Brian Large scholarship are available for MSc Transport and City Planning students – details on request and applications are made via the course director.

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.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Transport and City Planning at graduate level
  • why you want to study Transport and City Planning at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree – why and where do you wish to work in transport and city planning

To support you in the application process we’ve written a guide on writing your personal statement for a 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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