Study MSc Sustainable Planning and Practice

Course Highlights

The MSc Sustainable Planning and Practice is delivered in the Ebenezer Howard School of Planning, reflecting our unique location in the county, home to the world's first garden cities and our focus on exploring the contemporary planning implications of this placemaking history.

Planning plays a key role in improving the condition of life in our towns, cities and rural areas. Towns and cities themselves impact on global sustainability and can play a very influential role in tackling global environmental, social and economic problems.

The breadth of material covered will give you the skills you need to meet contemporary sustainability challenges in planning cities and rural areas, with a particular focus on planning practice. The planning system provides one of the most sophisticated mechanisms for regulating environmental change, global environmental, social and economic problems and implementing sustainability principles.

You'll benefit from a wide range of modules, from Planning Skills and Methods to Urban Design and Conservation and Community Engagement.

This programme offers you opportunities to gain valuable skills in a much needed and fast changing professional area and makes you highly employable in a diverse range of disciplines which will allow you to contribute to the creation of more sustainable urban environments.

Course Modules

Learning Structure

The MSc Sustainable Planning programme structure is based on a series of modules, most of which require 150 hours of study.

Teaching combines a face-to-face teaching and tutorials approach with virtual live teaching allowing easy contact with module leaders and tutors, excellent access to learning materials and online submission of assignments. Modules include workshops, field work, class exercises, seminars and group work. Any travel or accommodation costs of field visits are included in the programme fee.

All of the modules are assessed through coursework. The nature of the coursework will vary, but will include experience in report writing, practical urban design work (no architecture background is required), oral presentations and negotiation skills.

An individual project, the planning dissertation, will give you the opportunity to explore an area you're interested in and do primary research with support from an allocated supervisor. The supervisor will encourage you to explore the latest research and provide industry insight. You'll be encouraged to link with external organisations, such as local government, voluntary sector organisations or planning consultancies, to produce this piece of primary research that is both academically challenging and of practical benefit.

Entry Requirements

• A 4-year Honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with CGPA 2.50 or 50% of marks (or above) from recognised institution.

English Language Requirements

Documentary Evidence List

• Academic Transcripts
• Degree Certificate
• English Test (IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Duolingo - UKVI accepted)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• 2 Recommendation Letters (LORs)
• Updated CV/ Resume
• Research Proposal (for Research/ PhD)
• Work Experience Certificates (if study gap)
• Passport Copy

Study Gaps

For applicants with an academic or professional gap of up to 5 years, admission is generally considered acceptable. If the gap exceeds this period, applications may still be successful but will typically be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To strengthen your profile, it is important to:

• Provide a clear explanation of how you spent the gap period (e.g., employment, further learning, personal responsibilities).
• Emphasize the skills and experiences you developed during this time that are relevant to the program.
• Demonstrate that your academic qualifications continue to meet the course entry requirements.