Master of Science - Sustainable Planning and Practice (with Advanced Research)

专业介绍

The MSc Sustainable Planning and Practice is delivered through the Ebenezer Howard School of Planning, reflecting the University of Hertfordshire’s location in a county associated with the world’s first Garden Cities. The programme explores the contemporary planning implications of this placemaking heritage and examines how planning can contribute to more sustainable towns, cities, and rural areas.

Planning plays an important role in improving quality of life and addressing global environmental, social, and economic challenges. The programme provides students with the knowledge and skills required to respond to contemporary sustainability issues in both urban and rural contexts, with a particular emphasis on professional planning practice. It examines how planning systems can regulate environmental change and support the implementation of sustainability principles.

Students benefit from a broad range of subject areas, including planning skills and methods, urban design and conservation, transport planning, and community engagement. The programme develops expertise relevant to a rapidly changing professional field and prepares graduates for employment across a diverse range of planning disciplines, enabling them to contribute to the creation of more sustainable urban environments.

The MSc Sustainable Planning and Practice with Advanced Research is designed for those seeking specialist knowledge of contemporary planning practice. It provides opportunities to explore a wide range of planning specialisms and develop the expertise required for professional and research-focused careers.

Through a problem-based approach, students engage with real planning issues and case studies. They examine the role of planning in addressing challenges such as climate change, urban sprawl, social cohesion, and the growing demand for personal mobility. Students also gain experience with current professional techniques, including geographic information systems, urban design tools, and community engagement methods such as charrettes.

Teaching is supported by research-active staff and experienced planning practitioners, who introduce students to current research, professional applications, and industry case studies. Field trips provide opportunities to explore planning practice in local and wider contexts. The programme’s location near Letchworth Garden City and the first New Towns provides a distinctive setting for examining the development of planned communities. The Comparative Planning and Transport Practice module also includes a residential visit to investigate and compare transport planning systems within a different policy context. Travel and accommodation costs for field trips are included in the programme fees.

The programme is suitable for applicants with professional experience or previous academic study in planning or a related discipline. Previous students have included individuals with work experience in planning, recent graduates from subjects such as geography, environmental science, conservation, sociology, architecture, or urban studies, and applicants from other disciplines who have developed an interest in planning through voluntary work, professional experience, or project work.

The programme reports a 91% overall satisfaction rating for geography, earth, and environmental studies in the 2024 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.

The MSc Sustainable Planning programme is structured around a series of modules, most of which involve approximately 150 hours of study. Many modules are delivered through short courses lasting two or three days, usually taking place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. These short-course components generally run twice a month, involving attendance on four weekdays and two Saturdays.

A blended learning approach combines face-to-face teaching and tutorials with live online classes. Students benefit from direct contact with module leaders and tutors, access to online learning resources, and digital assignment submission. Teaching activities include workshops, fieldwork, class exercises, seminars, and group work. Travel and accommodation costs for field visits are included in the programme fees.

All modules are assessed through coursework. Assessment formats vary and may include report writing, practical urban design projects, oral presentations, and negotiation exercises. No previous architectural background is required for the urban design work.

In addition to the taught modules, students may have the opportunity to undertake an internship with the Ebenezer Howard School of Planning and complete an extended piece of planning research. This option is intended for students with demonstrable research experience who may be considering doctoral study or a research-based career. Full-time students can begin the programme in either Semester A in September or Semester B in January.

费用与学制

学制（月）

24

学费

22995.0 GBP

申请费

0.0 GBP