Most popular programs
Trending now
Urban planning is an ever-changing field with a growing skills gap. In order to keep up with – and improve – the way we engage with our urban spaces and environment, it is critical to develop the theoretical understanding and practical skills that empower us to shape sustainable cities and communities.
Top-100
ranked university in the world.Footnote 1
30 months
to complete, part time.
No application fee
Focus on your application and skip the fee.
{"version":"1.0.1","id":3006,"featureFlags":{"formType":"STANDARD"},"embedFormData":{},"grouping":"uob-umt","degreeOffering":"uob-es","credentialType":"DEGREE","programsOfStudy":"6b5f98bc-696c-4c76-81a8-e609f322315d, 0324f923-4ae2-4c9b-b96b-204a94286ecf, 9ff5ce85-30dc-4a71-9735-4b7cca4facd9, 5fd862f3-6cdb-4180-b574-46efef980a20, 64ca2cde-6c19-46fc-8c03-742ed15d1dd1, 543e8310-4425-4a8f-9fe0-67275dcfe772","inferredFields":{"country":true},"experimentalTrialAttributes":{"restricted-geo-implied-consent":true},"formAttributesConfig":{},"fields":[{"hidden":true,"name":"degree","label":"Degree Interest - MSUP","required":false,"type":3,"value":{"options":[{"label":"MSUP","value":"MSUP"}],"defaultOption":"MSUP"},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"prospect_education_journey","label":"When are you considering starting your programme?","required":true,"type":3,"value":{"options":[{"label":"Next available cohort","value":"Next available cohort"},{"label":"3 to 6 months","value":"3 to 6 months"},{"label":"6 to 12 months","value":"6 to 12 months"},{"label":"Unsure","value":"Unsure"}],"defaultOption":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":true,"name":"degree_offering","label":"Degree Offering - MSUP","required":false,"type":12,"value":{"programId":"770","degreeOffering":"uob-es"},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"level_of_education","label":"What is your highest level of education completed?","required":true,"type":3,"value":{"options":[{"label":"A-level","value":"A-level"},{"label":"GCE","value":"GCE"},{"label":"BTEC","value":"BTEC"},{"label":"Postgraduate diploma","value":"Postgraduate diploma"},{"label":"Bachelors degree","value":"Bachelors"},{"label":"Masters degree","value":"Masters"},{"label":"PhD","value":"Doctorate"},{"label":"Other","value":"Other"}],"defaultOption":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"work_experience","label":"How many years of work experience do you have?","required":true,"type":3,"value":{"options":[{"label":"0","value":"0"},{"label":"1","value":"1"},{"label":"2","value":"2"},{"label":"3","value":"3"},{"label":"4","value":"4"},{"label":"5","value":"5"},{"label":"6","value":"6"},{"label":"7","value":"7"},{"label":"8","value":"8"},{"label":"9","value":"9"},{"label":"10+","value":"10+"}],"defaultOption":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"stated_gpa_range","label":"What was your final degree classification?","required":true,"type":3,"value":{"options":[{"label":"First Class Honours","value":"First Class Honours"},{"label":"Second Class Honours - Upper division (2.1)","value":"Second Class Honours - Upper division (2.1)"},{"label":"Second Class Honours - Lower division (2.2)","value":"Second Class Honours - Lower division (2.2)"},{"label":"Third Class Honours","value":"Third Class Honours"}],"defaultOption":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"lead_share_opt_in","label":"US Marketing Consent 🇺🇸","required":true,"type":11,"value":{"format":"radio","disclaimer":"edX, and its parent company, 2U, LLC, offer other online education programmes across various fields of study.","optInValue":"UOB-ES Marketing","checkboxText":"Please email me about these programmes.","defaultRadio":"none","defaultChecked":true},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1,"conditionallyRendered":true},{"hidden":false,"name":"phone","label":"Phone (optional)","required":false,"type":0,"value":{"text":""},"helpText":"By entering your phone number, you consent to being contacted by an admissions advisor to provide additional information and assistance with any questions you may have.","mountPoint":1,"conditionallyRendered":true},{"hidden":false,"name":"email","label":"Email","required":true,"type":0,"value":{"text":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"last_name","label":"Last name","required":true,"type":0,"value":{"text":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"first_name","label":"First name","required":true,"type":0,"value":{"text":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"lead_share_opt_in","label":"GDPR Marketing Consent 🇪🇺","required":true,"type":8,"value":{"disclaimer":"","retailOptIn":{"sms":"","text":"Yes, I want to receive additional information about University of Birmingham. Please contact me via:","email":"Email","phone":"Phone"},"leadShareOptIn":{"sms":"","text":"edX, and its parent company, 2U, LLC, offer other online education programmes across various fields of study.","email":"Please email me about these programmes.","phone":"","leadShareValue":"UOB-ES Marketing"}},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1,"conditionallyRendered":true},{"hidden":true,"name":"country","label":"Country of residence","required":false,"type":6,"value":{},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":false,"name":"zip_code","label":"Zip/postal code","required":true,"type":0,"value":{"text":""},"helpText":"","mountPoint":1},{"hidden":true,"name":"no_klondike_gdpr_setting","required":true,"type":15,"label":"","value":{"text":"never"}},{"hidden":false,"name":"","type":7,"value":{"text":"By submitting this form, you agree that 2U, LLC, in partnership with the University of Birmingham, may contact you regarding this programme. Your personal data will be used as described in University of Birmingham Online Degree Programmes’s [--link:https://onlineprogrammes.birmingham.ac.uk/legal/privacy-policy/ target:blank]privacy policy[link--]. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time."},"mountPoint":2}],"screens":[{"allFields":[0,2,1,14],"conditional":{},"out":{"1":["$next",[{"data":"$valid"}]]}},{"allFields":[5,3,4],"conditional":{},"out":{"2":["$next",[{"data":"$valid"}]]}},{"allFields":[10,9,8,13,12,7,6,11,15],"conditional":{"6":[1,"",[{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"never"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"geo"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"},{"data":"eu"},{"op":1},{"op":7},{"op":8}]],"7":[3,"",[{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"always"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"geo"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"},{"data":"eu"},{"op":0},{"op":7},{"op":8}]],"11":[1,"",[{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"always"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_gdpr_setting"},{"data":"geo"},{"op":0},{"data":"state.no_klondike_carmen_sandiego_region"},{"data":"eu"},{"op":0},{"op":7},{"op":8}]]},"out":{"-1":["$next",[{"data":"$valid"}]]}}]}
Engage with a global network of faculty and peers as well as contemporary, relevant case studies from around the world.
Explore the latest interdisciplinary learning and research to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills you need.
Access 1-to-1 personalised support and career advice from the Careers Network.
When you choose the University of Birmingham, you are choosing to study at an outstanding institution, renowned for changing lives and transforming society. At Birmingham, we encourage bold, independent thinking and offer a high-quality academic experience to stretch and challenge you.
By studying with us, you will be an active part of a diverse university community as you pursue your own interests and develop the career path that's right for you.
Fees and funding are subject to change and may increase each academic year. Tuition does not include student fees, technology platform licensing, or support services. Learners are also responsible for travel and accommodation costs related to any in-person immersions or residentials, if applicable.
Technology and services powered by 2U, Inc., the parent company of edX.
The online MSc Urban Planning offers a blend of asynchronous online lectures, interactive tutorials, and engagement with faculty, industry professionals, and an international network of peers. Real-world case studies, masterclasses, and fieldwork opportunities also provide hands-on experience.
Gain the skills and experience you need to shape sustainable cities and communities, advance your career, and make a global impact by working through key topics that include the following:
Develop excellent communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, including the ability to work with diverse stakeholders and articulate complex information to non-scientific audiences.
Gain knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of urban planning, and engage with urban planning case studies, peers, faculty, and practitioners from different cultures and regions.
Discover ways to place inclusivity and sustainability at the forefront of urban planning in different contexts, and learn how to plan healthier, safer urban spaces that can meet the ever-changing needs of people.
Learn how climate change, social inequality, and resource management have an effect on the urban environment and communities. Explore ways to solve these problems and come up with innovative solutions.
To meet the entry requirements, applicants must have (or, if still completing their undergraduate studies expecting to achieve) a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) UK undergraduate degree, a postgraduate diploma from a UK university, or a recognised equivalent international qualification. No standardised test scores or application fees are required to apply.
To be considered for admission into the online MSc Urban Planning, you will need to submit the following materials:
Online application (no fee)
Contact details for one referee who has knowledge of your professional or academic ability
Please note that the contact email address of the referee must be a professional email address and not a personal one
Personal statement including a recommended 500 words outlining why you are interested in applying for this programme
Evidence of your English-language level no older than two years (if English is not your first language)
The online MSc Urban Planning programme at the University of Birmingham offers UK-based students the opportunity to actively participate in research through research grants awarded from local government foundations.