MSc City Planning and Design
Belfast, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,500 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international fee
Introduction
In a world facing environmental, social and economic challenges, how we manage changes to our natural and built environments will be crucial for our future. In our urbanised world, how we design and plan our cities impact our environmental sustainability, health and even happiness. This programme will equip you with the skills to be part of making progressive changes in your place.
In practice, there is a common tension between those developing and interpreting planning policy on the one hand, and the designers of cities on the other. This programme brings these groups together to engage in project-based learning. You will develop planning research, urban analysis and design skills before deciding whether to complete an urban design thesis or dissertation. Both of these options can be completed as work-based studies with opportunities for summer placements.
City Planning And Design Highlights
This course is unique having been driven by engagement with the practice rather than adhering to traditional academic subject areas. The core skills that urban designers and planners need have been clearly defined and form the basis for the course.
Global Opportunities
- There are fantastic opportunities to work with planning and urban design both locally and globally. Belfast is a city that is developing rapidly and this reflects wider confidence in urban regeneration and development at a national level. Many recent graduates are working in planning authorities and consultancies throughout the UK and Ireland with others working in the related fields of housing, natural and built heritage and renewable energy.
Professional Accreditations
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited as a standalone programme. Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is accredited if completed following an accredited undergraduate planning degree.
Industry Links
- As well as including employers in our teaching and development of projects we value the input of practitioners on our examination panels. Our employer links are further enhanced through formal partnership meetings with our accreditation bodies (RICS and RTPI) and by providing student prizes, for example, for the best independent research project. Therefore, course development is closely aligned to the requirements of the planning sector. Employers are often also consulted by students in the development of independent research projects. For example, we have developed strong relationships in Northern Ireland with the Housing Executive, and the Planning Division of the Department of Infrastructure. As part of the support activities embedded in the degree, employers contribute to regular careers events.
Internationally Renowned Experts
- The members of staff responsible for delivering the MSc are from a variety of professional and research backgrounds. Staff expertise includes international development, sustainable development, development economics and planning policy and practice. Each member will give a different perspective within the course, such that both theoretical and applied elements will be fully developed and a rounded high-level education will result.
Student Experience
- Significant emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills during live projects in this programme. The option of a work-based study for the thesis module reflects the local confidence within the planning and urban design sector of the quality of QUB student work. Placements can be in planning offices, architectural practices or with related heritage, environmental or community sector groups. The environs of the university are extremely pleasant: Northern Ireland and Belfast have been highlighted by The Sunday Times in 2018 as the best places to live in the United Kingdom. Belfast and the Causeway Coast have been listed as the best regions to visit in the world by Lonely Planet in 2018. Moreover, the manner in which Northern Ireland is positioned after Brexit may make it the most convenient location in the UK for ready interaction with the EU.
“In an increasingly urbanising world, cities represent both the greatest social, environmental and economic challenges and opportunities for planners and urban designers alike to create more sustainable environments and just societies.”
Dr Neil Galway, Programme Director for MSc City Planning and Design
Career Opportunities
Our graduates end up in leading positions in central and local government as well as in planning consultancies in the private sector. Some of them have gone on to lead significant environmental campaigns such as opposition to fracking; work with NGOs such as Friends of the Earth; and work with communities to make their neighbourhoods better, such as with disadvantaged groups.
Employment after the Course
Examples of employment: Urban Design and Planning practices, Research institutions, GIS companies, Housing organisations, Community Advocacy Groups, Environmental and Community sector NGOs.
Employment Links
Graduate employers include:- Belfast City Council, Department for Infrastructure and other public and private sector planning consultancies.
Curriculum
The MSc is designed to allow you to develop real-world project management skills through the completion of live design projects for local authority and community sector clients. You will also acquire urban and data analysis skills that you can use to develop strategic regeneration policies and design solutions. The course content gives theoretical and practical coverage across a wide variety of topics including:
- Green infrastructure
- The Inclusive City
- Urban Technological Developments
- Low carbon transition
- Critical Heritage Perspectives
- Cities and the e-economy
- Planning the Urban-Rural dialectic
- Demographic challenges
- The future of urban housing
- Health in future cities
Course Modules
- Comparative Urban Design (20 CATS)
- Spatial Literacy (20 CATS)
- Urban Futures (20 CATS)
- Future Planning Practice (20 CATS)
- Planning for Sustainable Communities (20 CATS)
- Approaches to Development (20 CATS)
- Thesis (60 CATS)
Part-time Modules
EVP7039, EVP7040 & EVP7043 modules will be delivered in year one.
EVP7038, EVP7041, EVP7042 & EVP7044 modules will be delivered in year two.
Students failing more than 20 CATS points worth of taught modules will not normally be permitted to progress on to the Thesis Module. A student who has failed one 20 CATS taught module will normally be allowed to progress to the Thesis Module at the student's risk. If a student fails the Thesis Module on a second attempt, a post-graduate Diploma may be awarded.
Learning and Teaching
Learning and teaching are split into the following:
- IT Tutorials
Demonstrator-led IT skills tutorials to ensure students develop GIS and data visualisation skills such as proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketch Up. - Project sessions
A key component to all group projects whereby tutors offer feedback on student ideas in small groups during the completion of live projects for professional clients. - Self-directed study
This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out. - Seminars
Student-led thematic presentations that address major global themes are a crucial part of this programme. Placing the emphasis on research and interpreting relevant information on the student allows for the programme to incorporate and fulfil their interests.
Assessment
Assessments associated with the course are described below:
Methods of assessment will comprise a combination of group reports, individual assignments, student presentations, portfolio submissions and role-play exercises. A major component of this degree will involve the completion of a thesis based on an independent research project over the third semester, supervised by a member of the research staff.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £10,609 for taught and research Master's courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
International Scholarships
Facilities
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.