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

Programme overview

The MPlan Planning, Environment and Development is a four-year RTPI-accredited programme opening careers in planning, development and urban design. It develops critical awareness of planning and urban design practice, skills in managing urban regeneration and producing strategies, policies and plans, and the capacity to carry out a substantial piece of independent research. Planning at Queen's was ranked 1st for teaching satisfaction in the 2025 National Student Survey.

Faculty: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | Department: School of Natural and Built Environment | Duration: 4 years full-time | Intake: September 2027 (academic year 2027/28) | Study mode: full-time (integrated) | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Learning ranges from lectures to regular field trips, urban analysis and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on understanding neighbourhoods through spatial analysis and social engagement. Year 3 includes a compulsory international field trip and Year 4 is spent overseas at an international partner university; an optional one-year industry placement is open to home students only.

Career pathways

The programme opens a wide range of careers in planning, development and urban design, with employer links including the Housing Executive, the Department for Infrastructure Planning Division and private-sector planning consultancies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB 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: D*DD plus GCSE Mathematics C/4. Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3, plus Ordinary Level O4 in Mathematics if not offered at Higher Level. International Baccalaureate: 33 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 70% 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; A-level/BTEC applicants must have, or be able to achieve, at least six GCSE passes at B/6 or better, with C/4 in English Language and Mathematics. Irish Leaving Certificate applicants' Junior Certificate profile is considered (initial profile last year was 6 Higher Merit grades). 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: 4 years full-time

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