MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design)

Overview

Town planning is a challenging and rewarding career. It is aimed at improving the places in which we live, work and play. It is about visioning the future and using the tools that your professional and vocational training gives you to realise and sustain that vision. It is dynamic, reacting to changes in society, the environment and political and legal frameworks in which people live their lives and development takes place.

It is not about telling people what their future environment will be like, but is about working with a wide range of stakeholders to bring diverse ideas, wants and needs together. Your people skills will be as important as your technical knowledge; town planning is a test of your all round abilities and gives you a deeply satisfying career.

The courses are fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. This means that after graduation you can become a licentiate member of the RTPI. With two years relevant work experience (in some cases one year), you can apply to take the RTPI Assessment of Professional Competence exam and become a full member of the RTPI.

You can enter the Degree Apprenticeship Chartered Town Planner at either Level 4 or Level 7. There are two courses at Level 7 including one specialising in urban design. The Level 4 entry course lasts for 60 months taking you from first year undergraduate to Postgraduate level. The End Point Assessment must be completed within a year of completing the taught elements.

The Level 7 entry course lasts for 24 months and includes a formal dissertation or writing up of a major student-led project. The End Point Assessment must be completed within a year of completing the taught elements.

By the time you have successfully completed the taught elements and the End Point Assessment you will either be awarded the PG Diploma Chartered Town Planner (Level 4 Entry), the MA Chartered Town Planner or MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design) and you will be eligible for membership of the RTPI.

Advanced entry requirements are possible, but not normal. Those who seek this should first approach the course director of their preferred course.

Assessment

Assessment of the degree apprenticeships is by coursework only. You will be expected to write essays and reports, research and analyse sites, interpret plans, compile plans and policies, complete portfolios, take part in mock inquiries and analyse the viability of proposals. All these are the task of the planner.