BSc in Urban Planning and Development, Cardiff University

Cardiff,

36 Months

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About this course

This BSc degree in Urban Planning & Development is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of how cities, towns, and countryside change and how they can be improved through planning practice and research. The course emphasizes social, environmental, and economic sustainability, aiming to shape better urban spaces for living, working, and leisure. It incorporates practical skills development using software like GIS and Edina digimap mapping, along with field visits and experiential learning opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world contexts. The program is partially accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), making it professionally recognized. Students will explore key issues in urban and regional planning, with modules designed to develop analytical, creative, and practical skills essential for a career in planning, development, and surveying.

Why this course is highly recommended

This program is highly recommended because it is professionally recognized and accredited by leading institutions such as RTPI and RICS, which can enhance your employability. The course provides practical experience through fieldwork, site visits, and the opportunity for a placement year, giving it real-world relevance once you graduate. Its focus on sustainability and contemporary issues ensures that you'll be learning methods to influence positive change in urban environments. The course’s inclusion of software training and field studies helps develop essential skills for the modern planning profession, making graduates well-prepared to pursue diverse careers in planning, development, transportation, urban regeneration, and related sectors.

Specialisation

The course offers a focus on the social, economic, and environmental challenges of creating better places, integrating components like urban economies, property development, and urban regeneration. In the final years, students can develop a specialization within specific sub-fields such as sustainable transport, social justice, digital planning, or environmental governance, tailoring their learning to their career interests.

Course fees

Application fees

25.02L

1st year tuition fees

25.02L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants typically need A-levels in the range of ABB to BBC or equivalent international qualifications, with specific requirements for English language and GCSE Maths. The course requires a minimum of 120 credits per year, with Year One modules being introductory and not counted towards final grades. For international students, a minimum score of 6.5 IELTS overall, with 5.5 in each subskill, or equivalent English qualifications is required. Additional qualifications from outside the UK are considered based on the university's equivalence guide.

English language test

IELTS

6.5

TOEFL

PTE

DUOLINGO

Career prospects

Graduates of this program have a strong record of securing employment across various sectors including planning, development, surveying, transport, economic development, and urban regeneration. Career opportunities include roles in local and national government, private planning consultancies, environmental agencies, housing strategies, and international organizations. The university’s focus on practical skills, placements, and fieldwork prepares students for key positions in public, private, and third sectors both within the UK and abroad.

FAQs

What accreditation does this course have?

The degree is partially accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and recognized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Full RTPI accreditation requires completing a master's degree after this undergraduate program.

Are field visits included in the course?

Yes, the program includes field visits and field study modules, some of which are local, while others are residential and may include overseas destinations. Costs for some visits are subsidized by the university.