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Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions – (M.Sc.)
Oxford Brookes University
Department of Planning
| Application Deadline: | as early as possible | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 7,043 - ≈ € 12,862 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Oxford / United Kingdom / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | January, September |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 180 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Oxford Brookes University
This RICS- and RTPI-accredited course is concerned with the theory and practice of urban planning in societies undergoing rapid economic, social, environmental and spatial change. It examines the phenomenon and processes of rapid urban growth and the nature of planning interventions within the broader framework of political, economic (including macro-economic) and cultural factors.
The emphasis of the course is on institutional aspects of planning and management interventions in the urban sector and the scope of various policy instruments and planning modes to manage the emerging spatial patterns, impacts and processes of urban growth.
Why Brookes?
* The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
* Oxford Brookes has offered a graduate planning course in Oxford for over 40 years, and is acknowledged as a leading provider in the UK. We have over 30 teaching and research staff. Our reputation is built on our student centred approach, our teaching and research excellence, innovation and service to the community and professional organisations, and our educational philosophy that seeks to embrace planning education in its widest sense.
* Research from the Department of Planning was ranked 5th in the UK and in the RAE research power tables in the fields of Architecture and the Built Environment and Town and Country Planning (RAE 2008).
* As well as being one of the most world's most famous centres for learning, Oxford is a city with a great urban heritage and is within easy reach of London and other urban centres. Its excellent transport links make it a convenient place to take up a day release part- time course.
Career prospects
Not only is the MSc Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions a professionally recognised qualification, it is also widely regarded as providing the transferable skills, critical knowledge and understanding necessary in many fields of work in the built and natural environment. 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 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, concentrated with modules delivered on two days per week contingent on electives. Compulsory modules are delivered on two days per week.
Part-time: 24 months, delivered on day-release over two years.
The course is offered as a master's degree (MSc), a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or a postgraduate certificate (PGCert).
The MSc course is based on the completion of the following compulsory modules, 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 that shown below.
Compulsory element (indicative modules):
* 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. The changing paradigms of development - modernisation, growth with equity, market enablement - are examined. The emerging spatial distribution of cities and the city-building process is explored, including rural-urban migration and social transformation, and contrasting processes of production and the informal sector in the urban economy. The module reviews concepts such as dependency, basic needs and equity, institutional access and resource distribution, labelling and target groups, urban vulnerability, and gender issues in development. The role of the state in development and governance and the role of civil society in new forms of urban management and decentralisation are considered. You will undertake a project involving the preparation of an urbanisation profile for selected countries to explore the practical outcomes of these processes.
* 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 are examined. You will address major issues including the development of urban land markets and 'sub-market'/informal processes particularly in relation to low-income housing group needs, land availability and land supply, tenure options, land management, planning and co-ordination, investment recovery, and private sector development. These factors will be considered in the context of the options available to provide affordable and satisfactory housing. Urban management and planning policies, and resources to support rapid urban development, are explored alongside an exploration of new approaches to urban planning. Emphasis is placed on the institutional frameworks.
* Globalisation: Environment and Development examines globalisation and global environmental problems and their relationship with the development process. The module reviews theories of globalisation and the structure of the global system; global population growth, global urbanisation and industrialisation trends and policies; the globalisation of trade, aid, investment and debt; the revolution in global transport and communications; the changing role of global institutions; the emerging geopolitics of the post-Cold War era; and a range of global environmental issues. The policy aspects of these various issues will also be examined.
* Urban Policy in Practice: Programme and Project Implementation provides a practice-based exploration of urban projects and programmes. It covers aspects such as urban policy analysis, feasibility studies, the project cycle, project and programme evaluation (particularly in relation to the housing needs of low-income groups), and implementation resources, together with an understanding of institutional capacity building, community-based organisations and the development of community-led sustainable solutions to the needs of the urban poor, and concepts of affordability and cost recovery.
* Research Methods examines and advances students' knowledge of research methods and methodology. It provides a forum for debate about research as well as giving students the opportunity to gain practical skills. These general research issues are complemented by a focus on policy research. Through the use of examples of ongoing research in the department, your ability to critically evaluate research and the role of researchers is developed. Within the course structure you are able to explore and gain support in research and research design within your own area of specialisation. The module forms an introduction to the dissertation.
MSc students are offered choice and flexibility in terms of specialist elective modules, of which two must be chosen from the following indicative list:
* Armed Conflict and International Humanitarianism
* Principles of Environmental Assessment
* Environmental Management Systems
* Designing the City
* World of Refugees
* International Transport Planning
* Strategic Environmental Assessment
* GIS and Environmental Modeling
* Designing the Neighbourhood
* Global Institutions
* Delivering Sustainable Futures
* Destination and Event Development
* Statistical Research Using SPSS
* Independent Study.
Please note that not all electives may be available in any given year.
The PGDip course is based on the completion of the following compulsory modules as in the MSc programme:
* Development and Urbanisation
* Urban Land Policy and Urban Management
* Globalisation: Environment and Development
* Urban Policy in Practice: Programme and Project Implementation.
A similar choice of two elective modules from the same options as the MSc course is required.
The PGCert is based on the completion of the following compulsory modules as in the MSc course:
* Development and Urbanisation
* Urban Land Policy and Urban Management or Independent Study
* Globalisation: Environment and Development or Independent Study.
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
The course attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. Applicants are welcome from any relevant academic discipline, and 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 qualifications 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 seek to formalise their prior experiential learning or qualifications.
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 Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This means that on successful completion of the MSc, graduates can register for the Assessment of Professional Competence procedures of RICS and work towards becoming full members.
The MSc Urban Planning: Developing and Transitional Regions is also fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) when combined with the Postgraduate Diploma in Spatial Planning.
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