Course description
Course Description:
The principal aims of the course are to:
* Provide a basis for understanding what kinds of objectives planning might be used to pursue, and what methods of intervention might be effective and appropriate in different social and political contexts.
* Develop core planning skills, applicable at a range of spatial scales.
* Develop specialised skills in undertaking, analysing and using research in the planning process.
The course is underpinned by recognition that planning is undertaken in diverse (and sometimes unjust) societies, and that objectives and approaches to planning can be subjects of debate and struggle. The course attempts to provide students with resources to be sensitive to, and be able to form independent judgements on, these ethical, political and professional matters. While its focus is on planning in developed capitalist societies, especially the UK/Europe, its understanding of planning is comparative, and the skills taught are applicable to many planning contexts.
The taught component of the course amounts to 120 credits. Full-time students complete this in two semesters, from the end of September to June. Part-time students are taught with full-time students, but study half as many modules at any one time and complete the taught element in two years. Both full-time and part-time students submit a dissertation in September, full-time students one year after enrolling, part-time students two years after enrolling. The dissertation carries 60 credits and is the principal component of the specialist focus of the course.
Introduction
The starting point for taking on the professional challenges of helping make liveable, prosperous places.
The MSc Planning Practice and Research is available one year full-time or two years part-time. It is appropriate for geography, architecture, sociology, engineering, history or otherwise suitably qualified candidates. The course is specifically aimed at those people wishing to gain a professionally accredited qualification in planning.
The principal aims of the course are:
* Provide a basis for understanding what kinds of objectives planning might be used to pursue, and what methods of intervention might be effective and appropriate in different social, and political, contexts.
* Develop core planning skills, applicable at a range of spatial scales.
* Develop specialised skills, in undertaking, analysing and using research in the planning process.
The course is underpinned by a recognition that planning is undertaken in diverse (and sometimes unjust) societies, and that objectives and approaches to planning are subjects of debate and struggle. The course attempts to provide students with resources to be sensitive to, and to be able to form independent judgements on, these ethical, political and professional matters. While its focus in on planning in developed capitalist societies, especially the UK/Europe, its understanding of planning is comparative, and the skills taught are applicable in many planning contexts.
Course Recognition
This MSc is a combined planning course and is itself fully recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute. The course provides the full RTPI educational requirement, so that successful completion of the MSc with the necessary RTPI practice requirements allows direct membership entry to the Institute. For further details visit the Royal Town Planning Institute website.
Course Structure
The modular course runs for the academic year (beginning late September) and is operated on a two semester system. The structure of the course consists of two elements, the first and second semester teaching programme, and a dissertation.
The taught component of the course amounts to 120 credits. Full-time students complete this in two semesters from end September to June. Part-time students are taught will full-time students, but study half as many modules at any one time and complete the taught element in two years. Both full-time and part-time students submit a dissertation in September, the full-time students one year after enrolling, the part-time students two years after enrolling. The dissertation carries 60 credits, and is the principal component of the specialist focus of the course, which is the undertaking, analysis and use of research in planning.
Central to the first semester of the course is the module Planning:
Nature, Purpose and Instruments. This module encourages students to develop a conceptual framework with which to understand the purposes and nature of spatial planning, especially in developed capitalist economies. The need to understand the intertwining of technical, regulatory and overtly political processes is emphasised, as is the value of the reflective practitioner. The module begins with an intensive 4 day 'weekend workshop', which also allows students to get to know each other in both a learning and social context. The module employs a variety of approaches to teaching and learning, and a number of methods of assessment, including seminar papers and a poster presentation. The module leader, Huw Thomas, was a professional planner for many years, and has been in Cardiff University for over a decade. He has written and researched on many aspects of planning, but is probably best known for his work on promoting race equality in, and through, planning, and his work on aspects of urban regeneration.
Dissertation
The individual dissertation is an important component of the course, which allows a student to develop some specialised knowledge and skills in research and communication. A topic is selected by each student in consultation with members of staff. The topic must be planning related. In the case of students from countries outside the UK, the dissertation may focus on a planning issue in their country of origin. An important aspect of the dissertation process is student reflection on what is involved in researching a planning topic.
Study Visits
A number of field study visits are arranged during the course. The School does partly subsidise these trips but students should allow for travelling and subsistence expenses. These visits help integrate student learning.
Employment
The programme prepares students for employment in many fields of planning (including research), both in the UK and other countries. Principal graduate employment destinations are in UK and international town and regional planning organisations, including: local and regional authorities, national government agencies, private planning consultancy firms and voluntary organisations. The reputation of the School and the quality of its graduates mean that graduates find suitable work quickly.
Applications/Entry Requirements
This MSc is appropriate for graduates in subjects such as economics, geography, architecture, sociology, engineering, politics and history or otherwise suitably qualified candidates. Applications from candidates with good degrees in other disciplines and/or mature students with a relevant professional background are also welcome. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of your background, please contact the School to discuss it. The course is specifically aimed at those wishing to gain a qualification in planning. All students will be required to demonstrate competency in English prior to arrival in the UK. We look for the following standards: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 570 (230 in computer based test).
Core Modules
* ‘Live’ Project
* Planning, Land and Development
* Planning: Nature, Purpose and Instruments
* Research and Survey Methods: Dissertation Design
* Site Planning, Design and Development
* Spatial Planning
Option Modules
* Corporate Environmental Management
* Current Issues in Rural Planning and Development
* Planning Practice in Emerging Cities
* Strategic Planning and Strategy in Planning
