International Planning

The International Planning MSc provides a strong international and comparative focus on planning, urban theory and practice. The scope of the programme primarily encompasses Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa and the Far East, and increasingly China and South-East Asia.

Students develop an appreciation of planning approaches and systems, alongside an understanding of planning as a culturally specific, context-dependent activity taking different forms in different countries and regions. The programme aims to provide students with a broad range of skills and knowledge in planning and urban theory in a global context while offering them the opportunity to develop a specialisation.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of six core modules (90 credits), one specialism with two modules (30 credits), a research dissertation (60 credits), and a field trip (not credit bearing).

A Postgraduate Diploma, six core modules (90 credits), two optional modules from the list of possible specialisms available (30 credits), full-time nine months, is offered.

Core modules

• Urban Design: Place Making
• Pillars of Planning
• Comparative Planning Systems and Cultures
• Critical Debates in International Planning
• Dissertation
• International Planning Project

Optional modules

Students choose two linked modules from the following to form a specialist study area:

• Communities and Planning
• Planning for Housing
• Mega-Infrastructure Planning
• Sustainable Governance
• Urban Design
• Urban Regeneration
• Historic Cities
• Smart City Theory and Practice

Dissertation/report

All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of individual and group project work, skills-based practical and IT work, traditional lectures, tutorials and seminars, field trips and direct practitioner involvement. Student performance is assessed through individual and group work, essays, examination, and skills-based practical work.

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university (or higher). Overseas qualifications of an equivalent standard will also be considered. Admissions tutors may, at their discretion, consider applications from students who have not achieved this but hold professional qualifications (e.g. RTPI) or can demonstrate substantial work experience in the field of planning. Where this is the case, applicants will still be expected to meet the minimum UCL academic requirement of a lower second-class degree.