MSc City Planning and Design at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

This programme brings together planning policy-makers and urban designers through project-based learning, developing planning research, urban analysis and design skills. It is driven by engagement with planning and urban design practice rather than traditional academic subject areas. Students complete either an urban design thesis or a dissertation, which can be work-based with summer placement opportunities. The MSc is accredited by RICS as a standalone programme and by the RTPI if completed after an accredited undergraduate planning degree.

Department: Natural and Built Environment | Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time | Intake: 2027/28 academic year (late September start) | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Core modules: Comparative Urban Design, Spatial Literacy, Urban Futures, Approaches to Development, Future Planning Practice, Planning for Sustainable Communities (each 20 credits) and a 60-credit Thesis.

Career pathways

Recent graduates work in planning authorities and consultancies across the UK and Ireland and in related fields including housing, natural and built heritage and renewable energy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants below 2.2 may be considered case by case with appropriate acceptable experience, completing a supplementary form. Apply ideally by 30 June 2027 for a late-September start; a deposit is required to secure a place. International applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 with no component below 5.5 (taken within the last two years), or an equivalent qualification; UK visa English requirements also apply.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,250 a year. Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland fee, per year of study. A compulsory European field trip costs approximately £500-£700 (not included). Source

International applicants: GBP 24,400 a year. International and EU Other fee, per year of study, listed for 2027/28 entry. A compulsory European field trip costs approximately £500-£700 (not included). Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

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