BSc (Hons) Sustainable Urban Planning at University of the West of Scotland

Programme overview

The BSc (Hons) Sustainable Urban Planning programme offers students a unique opportunity to advance their careers through personal and professional development. This Workplace Learning programme, which follows the same format as a Graduate Apprenticeship , is designed to enhance town planning and management competence focusing on enhancing employability prospects by equipping learners with practical skills and knowledge.

Duration: 4 years, full-time company-based learning (with part-time attendance at UWS required 1 day every week in addition to online learning activities) | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Intake: Paisley: September | Location: Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Throughout the programme, you will explore six key themes essential to planning and the built environment: These themes provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development, urban design, strategic impact assessment, and stakeholder collaboration. Year 1: ASPIRE 1, Town Planning Work Based Learning 1, Introduction to Planning and Policy, Urban Regeneration and Placemaking, Stakeholder Communication. Year 2: ASPIRE 2, Town Planning Work Based Learning 2, Introduction to GIS, Introduction to Sustainability and Environment, Energy and Environmental Policy. Year 3: Town Planning Work Based Learning 3, Applied GIS and 3D Modelling, Green and Blue Space Design, Law, Economics & Management, Governance and Political Processes. Year 4: Town Planning Work Based Learning 4, Smart Transport and Cities, Strategic Impact Assessments, Planning, Policy and Practice, Applied Urban and Environmental Economics.

Career pathways

Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for diverse roles in the public, private, and third sectors, contributing to sustainable urban and environmental development across the UK and internationally. Public sector: local authority departments, central and devolved governments, and major public bodies.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Interview required. Year 1: Scottish Highers: Standard Entry Requirements: BCCC (90 UCAS Tariff points) plus National 5 Maths and English at C or above; Minimum Entry Requirements: CCC (63 UCAS Tariff points) plus National 5 English and Maths at C or above; A Levels: CCD (88 UCAS Tarriff points) plus GCSE English and Maths at C/5 or above; Irish Leaving Certificate: H3H3H3H4 plus Maths and English; Scottish Wider Access Programme: Access to Stem (BBB); Year 2: Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Maths and English; A Levels: BBC including Maths and English (112 UCAS Tariff points); International Baccalaureate: 28 points including Maths and English; SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Town Planning, Construction Management, Environmental Management, Construction and the Built Environment, Quantity Surveying, Travel and Tourism, or Social Sciences. No specific grade is required for the graded unit. All other named qualifications referred to Programme Leader for review. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM; Year 3: SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Town Planning, Construction Management, Environmental Management, Construction and the Built Environment, Quantity Surveying, Travel and Tourism, or Social Sciences. No specific grade is required for the graded unit. All other named qualifications referred to Programme Leader for review.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Scottish: cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*) Source

Intake: Paisley: September

Duration: 4 years, full-time company-based learning (with part-time attendance at UWS required 1 day every wee

Apply through the official page: https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-course-search/sustainable-urban-planning

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