Regional & Urban Planning

This two-year part time professional planning degree develops the requisite conceptual knowledge and practical skills required by planners in this increasingly complex environment. You will develop an understanding of the administrative, legal and policy frameworks in which spatial planning operates and the social, political, economic and environmental challenges facing planning. In addition, students develop practical skills for plan and policy making, including environmental assessment, retail assessment, public participation methods, development and project management, and GIS. Students will also engage with understanding the role of planning in public policy and sustainability and can avail of independent research opportunities with the support of an academic supervisor. The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in spatial planning and is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area. The School is a member of the Association of European Schools of Planning.



The part-time mode of study involves attendance at approximately 6-9 hours of daytime classes (lectures, studio, etc.) each term generally spread across one and a half working days per week (depending on module selection). Part-time students are expected to spend approximately 18-20 hours per week on their studies (inclusive of contact time), though this may vary from week to week through the trimester dependent upon the completion of tasks or assignments related to particular modules. Please note that modules are generally delivered face-to-face on UCD’s Richview Campus.



Accreditation

The Master of Regional and Urban Planning is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute.



What will I learn:

-Apply knowledge and research skills to generate integrated and well substantiated responses to spatial planning challenges at various spatial scales.

-Appreciate planning and environmental policy research, exhibit the skills of autonomous researchers and recognize the value of research as an input into improved planning policy and practice.

-Appreciate societal diversity and recognize the importance of equity and equality of opportunity in spatial planning processes.

-Communicate effectively verbally, graphically and through written documents and to communicate ideas, concepts, knowledge and conclusions to peers, specialist and non-specialist audiences within an interdisciplinary environment.

-Demonstrate effective research, analytical, evaluative and appraisal skills and the ability to reach appropriate evidence based planning decisions.

-Diagnose problems, define solutions and make decisions based on balancing a range of competing professional and stakeholder interests.



There is also a 1 year full time version of this programme available T399

- An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a cognate discipline including Geography, Sociology, Economics, Politics, Social Science, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Property Economics, Surveying and/or equivalent relevant professional experience. Those with other degree qualifications may apply but will be required to undertake an interview.

- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

- These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

2 years part-time.

Delivery: On Campus

T418 Master of Regional & Urban Planning

Part-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunity

Graduates of the MRUP are to be found working as professional planners in the public and private sector, as GIS consultants, as policy advisors, property development consultants, and as community & rural development coordinators. Our graduates have found employment with: national and international planning agencies, government departments, local authorities including urban and rural authorities in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand; transportation agencies including the National Transport Authority; planning consultancy firms including Tom Philips and Associates, Brock McClure Planning and Development Consultants, and KPMG Future Analytics consulting; urban regeneration companies, large house builders including Glenveagh Properties; wind and solar energy companies including Eirgrid and ABO Wind, and environmental NGOs including An Taisce.