BSc Planning, Environment and Development at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

The BSc Planning, Environment and Development gives students the knowledge and skills to make decisions that shape growth and development in cities, towns, villages and neighbourhoods, addressing challenges such as investment, jobs, environment, energy policy, housing and transport. It is accredited by the RTPI (partial/spatial accreditation) and the RICS; full RTPI accreditation requires a further accredited qualification such as an accredited MSc. Planning at Queen's was ranked 1st for teaching satisfaction in the 2023 National Student Survey.

Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | Department: School of Natural and Built Environment | Duration: 3 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 (academic year 2027/28) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules include Planning Health and Well Being, Planning Skills and GIS, Design Principles in the Built Environment, The History of Planned Settlement, Contemporary Issues in Urban and Rural Planning and Institutional and Policy Context of Planning Practice (20 credits each). An optional paid or unpaid year-long industrial placement can be taken between years 2 and 3, and year 3 includes an international field trip.

Career pathways

Planning offers a wide range of employment across the natural, physical, economic, social and cultural environments; employer links include the Housing Executive, the Department for Infrastructure Planning Division and private-sector planning consultancies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: BBB plus GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 (a maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate counts, with Distinction* equated to A and Distinction to B). BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD plus GCSE Mathematics C/4. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H4H4/H3H3H3H3H3, plus Ordinary Level O4 in Mathematics if not offered at Higher Level. International Baccalaureate: 32 points including 6,5,5 at Higher Level, plus Standard Level grade 4 in Mathematics if not offered at Higher Level/GCSE. Access course: average of 65% with GCSE Mathematics C/4 or equivalent. Graduate entry: minimum 2:2 honours degree plus GCSE Mathematics C/4. GCSE English Language grade C/4 required; last year's A-level/BTEC applicants needed at least five GCSE passes at C/4 or better including English Language and Mathematics. Foundation Degree in Planning, Property and Housing (Belfast Metropolitan College) applicants are considered for Stage 1 or 2 entry (average of 50% for Stage 1, 55% for Stage 2). Decisions are made on the UCAS form; interviews are not normally held. IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for international applicants (or equivalent).

Domestic applicants: GBP 4,985 a year (2026/27). NI/ROI residency, full-time undergraduate tuition; 2026/27 rate Source

International applicants: GBP 24,600 a year. International and EU Other rate for 2027/28 entry Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 3 years full-time

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