Urban Planning (Hons)

Overview

In the MA Urban Planning (Hons) from University of Dundee you'll learn about the historical development of cities, as well as their current complex problems and opportunities. How cities and their surroundings develop is complicated and always changing. They result in global challenges that impact on people’s health, well-being, and access to essential services such as roads, water, housing, and transportation.

Urban planners collaborate with a wide range of interest groups to positively influence outcomes in the development of cities and the countryside. These include politicians, communities, property developers, the renewable energy sector, environmentalists, and the public health sectors.

At Level 3 of this course you will have an option to specialise in either urban design or environmental sustainability. You'll undertake a major individual study in a topic within your selected specialism.

In addition relevant international trips may be organised. In the past student trips have been to countries such as Netherlands, France, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, and Spain.

Careers

We have close links to the planning profession and our graduates readily find work in Scotland, the UK, and abroad. As well as jobs in central and local government, planners are employed by planning consultancies, regeneration companies, house builders, supermarkets, and utilities such as water companies.

They perform a variety of tasks such as:

• preparing national and regional development strategies
• regenerating declining urban areas
• shaping new and sustainable housing
• protecting and enhancing historic buildings
• promoting biodiversity
• conserving nature sites
• negotiating with property developers
• engaging with local people

The MA degree will provide you with a sound knowledge and understanding of the built and natural environment and a range of transferable skills such as problem solving, communications, and team working.