Our Urban Planning Master's provides a core introduction to urban planning issues, professional and theoretical debates and their application to live cases and places.

Urban Planning is the understanding of the place-making processes that underpin places, society and the environment. It's also interdisciplinary, with professionals having an understanding of a range of topics. You'll gain an understanding of the fundamentals required for a successful career in urban planning or the wider built environment professions.

The Urban Planning master's is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The Development pathway is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and offers a RICS-accredited route to gain Chartered Surveyors status.

The course is suitable if:

you are new to studying urban planning
you have studied urban planning before but in a different regulatory context

Leading urban planning academics teach our modules. They are members of planning teaching staff in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Their world-leading research informs the teaching programme.

We teach the course on our Newcastle campus. You can study full-time over 12 months or part-time over two years.

Part-time study consists of the same modules and options as the full-time programme.

This Master's in Urban Planning has four specialist pathways. Choose a pathway to suit your individual needs, background and career aspirations.

This is a social theory degree with no design content. If you're interested in a design degree, please see our Urban Design MA, PGDip.

Development pathway

The planning of the built environment is becoming more driven by economic rationales. This pathway will equip you with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with these. You'll be introduced to a variety of practical and theoretical skills. These provide a solid basis to build your career as an urban planner or surveyor.

Career pathways may include working for both public and private sectors or non-governmental organisations, such as:

the Homes and Communities Agency
social enterprises interested in development
housebuilders and developers
local authorities
transport agencies

Global Sustainable Development pathway

This pathway explores some of the most critical urbanisation challenges facing cities worldwide and examines the diverse strategies being developed in response. While urban areas contribute significantly to global environmental and social impacts, they also serve as key sites for innovation and experimentation in sustainable development.

The module integrates a variety of teaching methods, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications. A distinctive feature is the transnational component, which involves collaboration with planning staff and students from other countries, fostering a global perspective on urban issues.

You will gain an understanding of:

common urbanisation challenges across different contexts
frameworks for urban sustainability
the role of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in urban planning
innovative policy responses and planning practices

Regeneration pathway

This pathway develops your knowledge of approaches to regeneration in Europe and North America. It covers different policy approaches, their potential and their actual impact on place, society and the environment.

You'll learn:

theories of regeneration practice
alternative regeneration policy approaches (regional, urban and rural)
the historical origins and changing political and cultural contexts that have shaped urban policy
the potential and limitations of urban policy

Teaching focuses on designing and delivering regeneration projects as well as developing a critical understanding of context.

Green Infrastructure and Landscape Planning pathway

Green Infrastructure (GI) is the development of solutions to address the increasing human impact on the environment. In an urbanising world, natural systems are under increasing pressure. GI development and landscape planning are important tools to respond to these pressures. These tools can enhance, restore or create landscapes with spaces and linkages for both human and natural systems.

This specialism offers a mix of teaching styles to develop a creative strategic approach to GI and landscape planning. Through real-world examples and the guidance of professionals, you'll gain an understanding of:

the legal framework of GI
engagement with local communities
your own interests within the specialism

How to apply

Quality and ranking

Global Top 140 UniversityQS World University Rankings 2026
Top 100 for Architecture/Built EnvironmentQS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Top 75 for Arts and HumanitiesQS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Top 25 in the UK and Top 200 in the world for sustainable developmentTimes Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025
42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading researchResearch Excellence Framework 2021
65% increase in research power since 2014Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 125 for Arts and HumanitiesTimes Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026
Global Top 145 UniversityTimes Higher Education World University Rankings 2026
Joint 64th in the world and 22nd in the UK for sustainabilityQS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026
Top 100 for Performing ArtsQS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
Top 5 city for affordability in the UKQS Best Student Cities 2026
World Top 50 and UK Top 5 student cityQS Best Student Cities 2026
89th in the worldTIME Magazine: World’s Top Universities 2026

Professional accreditation and recognition

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The Development pathway is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and offers a RICS-accredited route to gain Chartered Surveyors status. You can apply for RICS student membership through the RICS website.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

This course is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The RTPI (a professional body for planners) is the UK's leading planning body for spatial, sustainable and inclusive planning. It is the largest planning institute in Europe with over 23,000 members

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact.

Next: Course details

What you'll learn

Through this Master's in Urban Planning, you'll learn:

fundamentals of urban planning
academic underpinnings of planning
principles of planning
legal, economic, social, political frameworks in which planning is situated

The majority of the course consists of a series of compulsory modules. They introduce you to the core values and principles of urban planning. You'll build on these throughout the rest of your studies and professional life. The main focus of these modules is the UK system, complemented by international examples.

You'll also have a choice of optional modules. These help you to develop a specialisation in planning practice informed by the latest research.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Urban Planning MSc modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Introduction to Planning law	10
Project 1: Spatial Strategies	20
Economics of Development	10
Planning Frameworks	10
Planning and Sustainability	10
Dissertation	60
The Reflexive Practitioner (MSc version)	10
Research Design	10
Planning, Power and People	10
Community Building	0

Optional Modules	Credits
Engagement with environment, landscape and planning	10
Green Infrastructure, Landscape Planning & Nature Based Solutions	10
Green Infrastructure, Landscape Planning and Nature Based Solutions (Project)	10
Regenerating Places	10
Regenerating Places Project	10
Global Urban Challenges Project	10
Global Urban Challenges	10
Valuation and Appraisal for Planning	10
Urban Policy: Origins and Alternatives	10
Housing and Settlements	10
Mapping, Data and Measurement	10

The entire optional module list is shown above. Depending on your chosen pathway, you'll be able to select specific optional modules.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

We deliver knowledge and skills through a series of lecture-based modules in semester one and two. We also deliver teaching through:

workshops
seminars
tutorials
optional international field trips (depending on the module) may be limited due to current international travel restrictions

A member of planning staff will mentor you through your individual dissertation research study.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

Computer assessment
Dissertation
Essay
Professional skills assessments
Practical lab report
Report
Reflective log
Research proposal
Research paper

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

academic staff
personal tutors and research supervisors
our University Student Services Team
student representatives
peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

module handbooks
course materials
groups
course announcements and notifications
written feedback

Course information: Disclaimers, policies and changes

Previous: Overview Next: Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Academic entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree.

Your degree can be in any subject, but preference is given to graduates of a related discipline such as:

planning
geography
urban studies
sociology
history
politics
economics
architecture
law
modern languages

Applicants who demonstrate significant knowledge and professional experience in UK town planning are welcome. We will consider your application if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and demonstrate aptitude for further study.

Qualifications from outside the UK

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English Language requirements

Select your qualification IELTSPearsonsDuolingo English TestTOEFLOtherPre-Sessional Entry - 6 weeksPre-Sessional Entry - 10 weeks

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study.

Explore these courses

Previous: Course details Next: Careers

Your future

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.\ \ You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.\ \ We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Previous: Entry requirements Next: Facilities

Facilities

The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has excellent studio teaching facilities and our research suite provides designated space and equipment for each postgraduate researcher. Our facilities include:

studios
exhibition spaces
print room
seminar rooms
IT suites

Previous: Careers Next: Fees & funding

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Qualification: MSc Full time
Home students Full time: 12 months	Tuition fees (per year) £11,400
International students Full time: 12 months	Tuition fees (per year) £26,500

Qualification: MSc Part time
Home students Part time: 24 months	Tuition fees (per year) £5,700

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

matriculation
registration
tuition (or supervision)
library access
examination
re-examination
graduation

Find out more about:

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

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Previous: Facilities Next: How to apply

How to apply

Before you start

Start Dates

The course starts in September.

Closing Dates

There is no application closing date for this course.

Specialised application information

You will initially apply for Urban Planning MSc (5373F or 5373P), but chose a specialist route upon registration. Guidance will be given.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit

All International students

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship. The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. This deposit is non-refundable and will be deducted from your tuition fees when you register. You may also be subject to academic and English language qualification verification, confirmation of funds and credibility interviews.

International students who received an offer before 18 March 2026

You are required to pay a £1,500 deposit or submit an official letter of sponsorship.

International students Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan who received an offer after 18 March 2026

You are required to pay a deposit of £5,000 or submit an official letter of sponsorship by 01 August 2026.

All International students (excluding those from the markets above) who received an offer after 18 March 2026

You are required to pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship by 01 August 2026.

Programme codes

Qualification: MSc Full time
Full time: 12 months	Programme Code: 5373F

Qualification: MSc Part time
Part time: 24 months	Programme Code: 5373P

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

\ Apply Online

Previous: Fees & funding Next: Get in touch

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Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events

Get in touch

Questions about this course?

If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:

Vicky Young\ Postgraduate Taught Secretary\ School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape\ Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6004\ Email: vicky.young1@ncl.ac.uk

General enquiries

For more general enquiries, you could also complete our online enquiry form.

Fill in our enquiry form

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