Regional & Urban Planning

In today’s complex and rapidly changing world, with the threats posed by climate change, economic crises, energy security and rapid urban growth, planners face the challenge of creating places that combine environmental quality with a vibrant economy, quality of life and distributive justice. This one-year 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 or internship opportunities which are assigned on a competitive basis. 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.



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.

Stage 1 Core Modules

PLAN40060 Urban and Regional Development Autumn 5

PLAN40080 Economic and Property Markets Autumn 5

PLAN40160 Planning Studio: Plan Making Autumn 10

PLAN40630 Planning Methods, Skills & Techniques Autumn 10

PLAN40610 Environment & Sustainability Spring 10

PLAN40620 Planning, Design & Development Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:

Spring Option Modules: Students must select one of the following Spring Option Modules

PLAN40350 Advanced GIS Spring 10

PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities Spring 10

PLAN40570 Conservation and Placemaking Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:

REQUIRED SUMMER OPTION: ALL students must select from the following Required Options: Either PLAN40240 Thesis @ 30cr, OR PLAN40600 Internship PLUS PLAN40590 Practice Based Project; Please note that internships are assigned on a competitive basis and the number of internships available in any given year may vary. Students who are not offered an internship will be required to undertake the Thesis module as an alternative.

PLAN40240 Thesis Summer 30

PLAN40590 Practice Based Project Summer 10

PLAN40600 Internship Summer 20

"Applicants who are progressing from UCD's City Planning & Environmental Policy degree should apply to this programme (W178) . All other eligible applicants (non UCD Progressing) should apply for this Master of Regional and Urban Planning programme (T399)



Entry Requirements

- 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

1 year full-time.

Delivery: On Campus

MRUP Regional & Urban Planning (W032) Full Time

EU Year 1 - € 7885

EU Year 2 - € 7885 aa

nonEU Year 1 - € 25600

nonEU Year 2 - € 25600 aa


MRUP Regional & Urban Planning (W178) Full Time

EU Year 1 - € 8985

EU Year 2 - € 8985 aa

nonEU Year 1 - € 25600

nonEU Year 2 - € 25600 aa


aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2020 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2019/20

***Fees are subject to change

W178 Master of Regional & Urban Planning Full-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.