MSc Urban and Regional Development
Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 23,450 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home: £10,700
Introduction
Our MSc Urban and Regional Development programme (accredited by RICS and partially accredited by the RTPI) is designed for those who want to understand more about urban and regional economic development theory and practice.
The economic development of cities and regions is becoming increasingly important in a global economy characterised by rapid technological change, transforming economies and globalisation. This programme will equip you with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking to meet the challenge of developing competitive, smart, sustainable and inclusive economies.
Our focus is on enabling you to develop your knowledge and understanding about the nature and source of this economic change and recognise its uneven impact on different social groups, communities and countries. Drawing on topical theoretical debates about uneven spatial development and the challenges this presents at particular spatial scales, this programme will provide you with the key skills – data analysis, research and problem-solving – required to shape local and regional development through policy and practice innovation.
We also focus on network and consensus building by looking at structures and frameworks for engaging and working across different industries, sectors and organisations – including public, private, third sector and social enterprises.
You’ll gain the critical skills and robust policy understanding to address the practical challenge of designing strategies which will help cities and regions become more innovative and resilient places in which to live and work.
Why Study this Course
This MSc provides the opportunity to understand the socio-economic change in different towns, cities, regions and city regions globally.
Professionally Recognised
Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
A Global Context
Gain an understanding of socio-economic change in different towns, cities, regions and city regions globally.
Expert-Led
Learn from and engage with research-active staff who are working at the forefront of the discipline.
Make a Difference
Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to help tackle the grand challenges facing cities and their populations.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to investing up to a total of £500,000 in this high-value competitive scholarship scheme to support UK students who are planning to start an eligible Master’s programme in 2024/25.
Each Scholarship is worth £3,000 and will be awarded a tuition fee discount.
Eligibility
UK students are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. You normally need to have achieved at least a 2.1 or equivalent in your first degree to be eligible. You need to submit an application to study at Cardiff University and be made an offer to study before your fee status can be confirmed.
Curriculum
This is a full-time MSc programme, taught over one year and comprised of modules totalling 180 credits.
It is divided into two parts:
- Part one: a teaching programme of core and optional modules over two semesters
- Part two: an individual dissertation on a topic of your choice, selected in consultation with members of staff. Whilst there are few constraints on the choice of topic, it must address at least one of the core course themes of the Urban and Regional Development programme
You will be required to take taught modules to a value of 120 credits altogether, 60 credits in year one and 60 credits in year two, as well as the dissertation which is worth 60 credits.
Core Modules for Year One
- Urban and Regional Development in Practice
- Research Methods
- Urban and Regional Economies
- Governing Urban and Regional Dynamics
- Dissertation
Optional Modules for Year One
- Planning and Real Estate
- Planning City Futures
- Planning for Sustainability
- Renewable Energy Development and Planning
- Digital Planning and Development
How Will I Be Assessed?
A variety of summative assessment methods are used. These include formal written examinations, written texts, written assignments of a variety of lengths, projects requiring empirical data, case studies, student-led presentations, reviews of current research, library-based research, and negotiated topics and formats.
With the exception of two modules (which use exams), all assessment is now done by coursework. This approach allows you to pursue and develop specific interests and themes across a range of different modules. It also provides further opportunities for you to work independently and demonstrate high-level practical, professional and transferable skills.
Coursework will generally consist of one piece of work of 4000–5000 words unless otherwise specified. Some coursework assessments will take the form of project-based work where this is appropriate to the skill set and learning outcomes.
The major piece of project work will be the dissertation. This will involve an independent piece of analysis and empirical research. The dissertation will be an integrated part of the scheme with a preparatory module (Research Study Methods) which aims to provide you with the skills and the knowledge necessary to complete the exercise successfully.
You will be expected to complete the dissertation by the end of September of your final year.
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills – discipline-specific as well as more generic employability skills.
As a student in this programme, you will:
- Develop a critical theoretical understanding of processes of socio-economic change in a comparative perspective – in towns, cities, regions and city regions across the world
- Develop sound data analysis and research skills, in particular in the analysis of uneven development at the regional and more localised community scales
- Gain practical skills in devising urban and regional development strategies
- Be able to critically reflect on and engage with the practical and policy challenges of addressing uneven development between places
- Develop an understanding of the social, economic, political and spatial frameworks which shape urban and regional development policy and practice
- Develop competence in policy analysis in different institutional settings and spatial scales
- Hone personal and communication skills in self-management, team-building, analysis, decision-making, report writing and presentation
- Develop specialist skills and knowledge to an advanced level in particular areas
- Appreciate and evaluate the interactions between theory, policy and practice and critical self-awareness of your own professional practice
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The course offers the knowledge and expertise to enable you to work within a large number of urban and regional development-related careers. These can range from research, policy development and implementation, and planning roles within the public and private sectors to agencies and businesses involved in new and re-development projects.
The course is suitable for both UK and international students.
Program delivery
How Will I Be Taught?
An array of teaching and learning styles are used throughout this programme.
You will attend lectures, participate in seminars and discussions, and attend field study visits. Most of the taught modules in the programme are compulsory, though there is some scope for choice in the second semester at Cardiff University.
You should attend all timetabled sessions of the programme – lectures, seminars and presentations – but are also expected to engage in independent study of at least 20 hours per week.