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Spatial Planning – (M.Sc.)
Oxford Brookes University
Department of Planning
| Application Deadline: | as early as possible | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 6,766 - ≈ € 12,862 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Oxford / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Oxford Brookes University
The MSc in Spatial Planning provides graduates with an RTPI and RICS-accredited qualification that is recognised internationally as the benchmark for planning education. A spatial approach to planning requires a much broader level of knowledge and understanding than traditional land use planning, and today’s planners work alongside other built and natural environment professionals to deliver development that has the concept of sustainable living at its heart. The course combines core planning education with the development of expertise in specialist areas. Our links with practitioners in both the private and public sectors ensures that the course remains at the cutting edge of practice.
Why Brookes?
The MSc in Spatial Planning is offered as both a full and part-time course and Oxford, with its excellent transport links to all regions of the UK, is a particularly convenient place to study for part-time students on day release from work. Indeed this RTPI and RICS- accredited course is viewed as the first choice for planning training by a range of employers including local authorities, the Environment Agency and major planning consultancies, even when other universities, closer to home, offer similar accredited programmes.
For over 40 years, Oxford Brookes has been one of the leading providers of planning education and the Department of Planning remains one of the largest planning 'schools' in Europe. With a complement of over 60 teaching, administrative, technical and research staff, the department performs a leading role in research and consultancy, with clients and projects covering subjects from local concerns to multi-national organisations, government and industry. This research feeds directly into the teaching of the MSc in Spatial Planning and the department's students have the opportunity to learn directly from the most current areas of practice.
Career prospects
@font-face { font-family: "Times"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Not only is the MSc in Spatial Planning seen as the benchmark qualification for professional planners, it is also widely recognised as providing the transferable skills and critical knowledge necessary in many fields of work in the built and natural environment. Local government, the traditional and stereotypical destination of the planning graduate, is just one of very many career opportunities available to MSc in Spatial Planning graduates.
Today our alumni can be found in senior positions in some of the largest international planning and environmental consultancies, in government agencies, in large NGOs and campaigning organisations. They can also be found in similar positions in organisations across the globe.
The long-standing reputation of the Department of Planning in producing highly skilled, enthusiastic and very capable professional planners aids the employability of our graduates. We are the first port of call for many employers when they are seeking new graduate planners.
Contents
Course length
Full-time: 12 months
Part-time: 24 months, delivered on day-release over two years
The course is offered at two levels: a master's degree (MSc) and a postgraduate diploma (PGDip).
The MSc course is based on the completion of the following compulsory elements, plus elective specialisations and a 15,000-word master's dissertation.
Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from what is shown here.
Compulsory elements:
* Spatial Planning in Context explores the contexts within which the UK planning system needs to be understood: historical, spatial, social, economic, political and international. You will consider the issues that the planning system confronts and manages, and reflect on the range of approaches, historically and between countries, which may be taken to deal with planning issues.
* Spatial Planning in Action presents an analysis and assessment of the structure, objectives and responsibilities underlying the practice of spatial planning from a UK perspective. The legal basis and administrative aspects of planning decision-making are introduced, including development plan making, development control and the appeals process.
* Place Making introduces the theories, processes and practice of place making, and evaluates these against their impact on urban form and different sectors of society. The module engenders the development of design alternatives, taking account of political, socio-economic, development, aesthetic and other key factors important in achieving high quality, sustainable public realms.
* Delivering Sustainable Futures extends understanding of the principles of sustainability, the interpretation and practice of sustainable development, and the changing socio-political and environmental context within which plans are generated and implemented.
* Contemporary Issues in Planning Practice and Research provides an opportunity to study developing issues in spatial planning and to develop skills in the analysis of planning debates and in problem-solving techniques.
* Research Methods (Public Policy) provides a critical knowledge of methods and skills of research and their application to investigative work that informs public policy.
* MSc Dissertation is an individual research study of up to 15,000 words. It reveals abilities to define and research an issue or problem of relevance to the discipline of planning and to make a contribution to knowledge in the chosen area of specialisation (see below).
MSc students are offered a high degree of choice and flexibility in terms of their area of specialisation, and (subject to availability and student numbers) these currently include:
Environmental Decision-Making
* Environmental Assessment provides an examination of the organisation, preparation, presentation, prediction, assessment and decision making in environmental assessment techniques. Key skills are emphasised in screening, scoping, review and the methods of assessment for noise, landscape, archaeology, ecology, traffic and socio-economic impacts.
* Environmental Law and Decision-Making examines the international, European and UK legal context of environmental decision-making. This considers the development of environmental law from international treaties and conventions into European and UK legislation. The module focuses on key areas of environmental law and the assessment procedures established by European directives.
Historic Conservation
* Design for Conservation provides an introduction to the differing philosophies underlying approaches to building in historic places. It examines the role of design guides, design codes and site briefs in securing appropriate development in sensitive historic locations.
* Conservation Economics is a half unit which provides an introduction to financial and economic aspects specific to the conservation of buildings. The module combines with Historic Conservation in Context, which provides an introduction and critical examination of the legal measures that exist to preserve and enhance the historic environment.
Planning in Developing and Transitional Regions
* Development and Urbanisation examines the theories, processes and consequences of rapid urbanisation in the developing world within the context of economic development and social change.
* Urban Land Policy and Urban Management examines the processes of urban land development under conditions of rapid urban growth. The concept and development of land policy is examined.
Tourism Planning
* Sustainable Tourism Planning examines the growth, development and impact of tourism. It introduces students to the broad issues affecting the planning and development of tourism, providing a base-line understanding of tourism planning and sustainable development. Core elements include a discussion on tourism's impacts (economic, social and environmental), issues of sustainability, carrying capacity, eco-tourism and other alternative forms of tourism.
* Destination and Event Development develops a critical understanding and evaluation of the role that events, transport, government organisation, and travel and tourism intermediaries play in the development of destination. The movement and organisation of tourists to and within destinations is an essential role of many organisations in the tourism industry's distribution chain. The provision, management and hosting of events play a vital role in destination development.
Urban Design
* Urban Design Studio I introduces you to advanced methods, techniques and concepts in urban design through the medium of a specific site development project.
* Urban Design Theory I and II further develops an awareness of client groups, user needs, and professional and legal requirements of the urban environment, placing these in the context of a specific design project on a nominated site.
* Urban Design Development Seminars provide an opportunity for students to bring the knowledge and skills developed in the other urban design modules together in student led workshops.
Urban and Regional Regeneration
* Introduction to Regeneration introduces the context within which urban regeneration takes place, and looks at varying approaches to securing desired change, the challenges these involve and the ways in which these challenges have been met over time and space.
* Regeneration and Neighbourhoods critically examines key issues in current regeneration theory, policy and practice, focusing on neighbourhood renewal and 'people'-based approaches to regeneration.
The PGDip level of the course is based on the completion of the compulsory element listed above, but replaces the dissertation with a 10,000-word Planning Practice Project. This is a major piece of independent study culminating in the production of a report that analyses the implementation process of a planning policy, a development programme or a major project. The postgraduate diploma can be completed in two semesters full-time or four semesters part-time, and must be combined with an approved specialist planning programme to fulfil the RTPI requirements.
Specialist planning programmes:
* MSc Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM) examines the background to EAM, particularly in the context of planning, natural resource management and principles. It develops skills in environmental impact assessment and environmental management.
* MSc Historic Conservation examines the principles, procedures and practices of historic conservation within the context of the wider built environment and the planning process. It develops skills and capabilities in practical conservation techniques and evaluation.
* MSc Tourism: Environment and Development examines tourism growth and expansion against the backdrop of sustainable development. It introduces environmental assessment and management (EAM), and develops analytical skills for the planning and management of the industry.
* MA Urban Design brings together theory and practice from several fields to demonstrate urban design as an integrated discipline. The focus is practical and seeks to engender positive intervention in the production of the public realm.
* MSc Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions examines the theory, concepts and practice of urban planning in societies undergoing rapid economic, social, environmental and spatial change.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
Spatial Planning attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Applicants are welcome from any academic discipline, as well as from among those in work and seeking continuing professional development. Admission is normally open to those with a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) or other professional qualification relevant to planning and development, or an appropriate professional background.
The course provides the opportunity to attain formal academic training and qualifications based on a diversity of professional backgrounds. Applications will also be considered from those who have no first degree but have three or more years' professional experience in planning and have completed the University's Certificate in Spatial Planning Studies.
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that their level of English is appropriate to study at postgraduate level. This course requires IELTS level 6.5 in the academic test, with a minimum score of 6 in reading and writing. For TOEFL the required score is 79 (internet-based), with a score of 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE).
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): | Grade B (Score: 75) |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 550 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 79 |
Accreditation
The MSc in Spatial Planning is fully accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This means that on graduation you can complete the Assessment of Professional Competence programmes of these professional bodies and become a full member.
In order to attain full accreditation for both the RTPI and RICS Postgraduate Diploma in Spatial Planning, graduates must combine the Diploma with one of our specialist master's programmes. These include: an MSc in Environmental Assessment and Management, an MSc in Historic Conservation, an MSc in Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions, or the MA in Urban Design.
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