COURSE CURRICULUM

The Urban Design and Planning MA is structured to provide a blend of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and applied experience in urban design and planning. In the autumn semester, core modules such as Planning Place and Design Studio, Perspectives on Spatial Planning and Development, and Spatial Planning Systems introduce students to fundamental concepts, design principles, and planning frameworks, while also developing key analytical and technical skills. The spring semester builds on this foundation, encouraging students to apply their knowledge strategically through modules like Masterplanning Studio and Planning and the Development Process, which focus on large-scale urban projects and the practicalities of planning implementation. Students can tailor their learning by selecting two optional modules from areas such as Issues in Housing, Urban Informality, Planning Law, Health, Wellbeing and the City, Urban Regeneration, Extended Reality Design and Place-making, The Urban Climate Emergency, GIS for Built Environment Professionals, and Urban Heritage and Conservation, allowing them to specialise according to their interests and career aspirations. The program culminates in an extended dissertation project, where students choose between a design-focused thesis or a conventional written dissertation, providing the opportunity to conduct independent research or design work on a topic of professional relevance. This integrated approach equips graduates with the expertise, creativity, and strategic insight needed for careers in urban design, planning, and related fields, both in the UK and internationally.