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Town and Regional Planning MPlan

UCAS code: K400 | Full-time | 4 years

Entry requirements

View entry requirements

UK/Ireland fees:

£9,250 per year

International fees:

£24,800 per year

Starts on:

Not a UK or Republic of Ireland student?

Clearing 2024: find your place at Liverpool

We may have limited places for entry in 2024 for high achieving applicants.

Clearing is open for applications from international students, as well as UK and Republic of Ireland students who have their results. Limited places are available for high-achieving students.

About this course

The Town and Regional Planning MPlan programme is designed for those who wish to pursue a professional career in urban, regional and environmental planning. The MPlan offers two pathways with distinct specialisms in transforming cities and regions and spatial planning for environmental change.

Introduction

Attention is focused on approaches to planning for the urban environment in a rapidly changing world. An interdisciplinary approach to study provides learning opportunities that draw upon the expertise of academics in Planning as well as academics in the Departments of Geography, Sociology and Architecture.

With major changes occurring in how we address transport infrastructure, housing and green belt development studying a degree in Planning from the University of Liverpool provides the practical skills, as well as, the theoretical understanding required to balance the needs of urban and rural development.

You will develop a broad overview of how our towns, cities and regions have developed and have an opportunity to specialise in environmental or urban regeneration issues. With a pioneering approach to planning and regeneration, Liverpool is an ideal location in which to study town and regional planning. Over the past 30 years Liverpool has been transformed economically, socially and environment. Staff and students from Planning at the University of Liverpool have been part of these changes as they have been observing, reflecting and helping local planners, developers and communities to shape these changes. This makes Liverpool an ideal urban laboratory to study how our world is changing.

The Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) programme is designed to satisfy the professional accreditation requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and enables you to fast track into the planning profession. It is a combined programme that meets both spatial and specialist RTPI planning requirements.

You will have the opportunity, from year three onwards, to specialise in either Spatial planning and environmental change or Transforming cities and regions. The four year programme provides you with a more in-depth understanding of the practice-orientated nature of planning and its context than can be achieved in a one-year intensive masters programme.

Work experience opportunities

You will have the opportunity to work with real practitioners as we work with local and international experts on projects and field trips. You are also encouraged to undertake internships or placements with planning agencies throughout your programme.

A flexible approach

The Town and Regional Planning (MPlan) programme has been developed alongside our other planning programmes allowing you to transfer between programmes within the first two years should your interests or career aspirations change.

A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.

This programme also has a year abroad option, an incredible opportunity to spend an academic year at one of our partner universities.  On the four-year integrated master’s programme, you can go abroad either between years two and three (apply in year two), or between years three and four (apply in year three).

What you'll learn

  • An awareness and appreciation of the current planning profession
  • A depth of knowledge and understanding of a particular aspect of the field of town and regional planning
  • The development of sound practice skills in the methods and techniques of planning
  • An understanding of the legal framework within which planning operates
  • An awareness and appreciation of planning practice in other European countries
  • The development of skills in analysis, synthesis, reasoned argument and communication
  • Knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of planning
  • The development of research, teamwork and other professional skills of relevance to planning practice

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), providing combined spatial and specialist accreditation (dependent upon module selection in year three).

Entry requirements

Home entry requirements

If you've received your results, you can apply now. You’ll usually need to have achieved BBC or above at A level or meet our requirements for other accepted qualifications. Higher entry criteria may apply for a small number of courses.

If you live in a postcode area where you’re less likely to go to university, or if you’ve spent any time in social care, we’ll take this into account when considering your application. We may be able to make you a reduced offer for the course you want to study.

International entry requirements

International Baccalaureate

26 points overall including 5 in SL English or 4 in HL English plus 5 in SL Maths/Maths Studies or 4 in HL Maths/Maths Studies

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

443 from 2 electives plus one core subject (excluding Citizenship and Social Development) and a minimum grade 3 in core Mathematics. Grade 4 (with no component less than 4) in HKDSE English Language

India Standard XII

Overall average of 70% from four core subjects, a minimum of 75% in English dependent on exam board (not including Hindi, Regional Language, Environmental Education and PE) and a minimum of 50% for Standard X Maths.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
Year in industry fee £1,850
Year abroad fee £1,385
International fees
Full-time place, per year £24,800
Year abroad fee £12,400
Fees are correct for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This may include a laptop, books, or stationery. Additional costs for this course could include field class and project costs.

Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.

Additional study costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This may include a laptop, books, or stationery. Additional costs for this course could include field class and project costs.

Project/dissertation costs

The School of Environmental Sciences will provide a budget of up to £200 for field/lab-based projects. Desk-based projects receive no budget.

Field classes

Core costs for compulsory field classes are covered.

Year three optional field classes:

  • Option A: One-week residential field class in Europe (e.g. Paris). Students meet travel and subsistence costs
  • Option B: Two-week residential field class in China (Shanghai). Students meet full costs.

Find out more about additional study costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses while at university.

Check out our Liverpool Bursary, worth up to £2,000 per year for eligible UK students. Or for international students, our Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship offers a tuition fee discount of up to £5,000 for eligible international students starting an undergraduate degree from September 2024.

Discover our full range of undergraduate scholarships and bursaries

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

Last updated 27 June 2024 / Programme terms and conditions