Mplan Planning and Sustainable Development

at University College Cork

This is a full-time taught programme running for 24 months over two academic years from the date of first registration. You will take a total of 120 credits over two academic years as follows:
 

Year 1 (60 credits total)

• PD6106 Infrastructure and Transport in Land Use Planning (5 credits)

• PD6110 Foundations in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits)

• PD6111 Contemporary Concepts in Planning Theory (5 credits)

• PD6112 Drawing, Communication and Observation Skills (5 credits)

• PD6113 Information and Engagement Skills in Planning (5 credits)

• PD6114 Planning Processes, Administration and Participation (5 credits)

• PD6115 Global Planning Practice and Issues (5 credits)

• PD6116 Urban and Metropolitan Spatial Planning (5 credits)

• PD6117 Regional, National and Transnational Planning (5 credits)

• PD6118 Principles of Urban Design and Place-making (5 credits)

• PD6205 Planning and Management of Natural Resources (5 credits)

• LW6101 Introduction to Planning Law (5 credits)
   

Year 2 (60 credits total)

35 credits as follows:

• PD6120 Landscape Character, Context and Change (5 credits)

• PD6206 Property, Sustainable Growth and Enterprise (5 credits)

• PD6207 Spatial Planning and Landscape for Rural Environments (5 credits)

• PD6208 Applied Discourses in Planning and Sustainable Development (5 credits)

• PD6211 Plan-making and Forward Planning Skills (5 credits)

• PD6212 Planning Skills in Development Management and Assessment (5 credits)

• PD6213 Research Methods and Proposals in Planning (5 credits)
   

Plus any 10 credits from the following:

• PD6105 Housing, Social Change and Community Needs (5 credits)

• PD6116 Urban and Metropolitan Spatial Planning (5 credits)

• PD6117 Regional, National and Transnational Planning (5 credits)

• PD6122 Planning and Design for Built Heritage (5 credits)
   

Plus an additional 15 credits from the following:

• PD6215 Planning Dissertation/Research Project (15 credits)
  or

• PD6209 International Planning systems and Approaches (5 credits) and

• PD6217 Expanded Planning Research Paper (10 credits)
   

Note: All electives are to be chosen in consultation with the Programme Director, subject to availability and timetable requirements (in any given year or semester) and individual module requirements. Subjects/modules already completed may not be taken a second time.

To apply for this course you need to have a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher in arts, social science, architecture, engineering, science, commerce, or law (or equivalent). In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the approval of the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, candidates who have a primary degree other than an honour, and who demonstrate a high level of relevant work experience, may also be eligible for entry to the course under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
 

Selection will be based on academic achievement, a written expression of interest, an interview and any relevant work experience.
 

Minimum Requirements and Accepted English Language Tests & Examinations

The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.
 

There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.

IELTS*    

• 6.5 Overall

• 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)
   

TOEFL iBT    
 

• 90 Overall

• Listening 20

• Reading 19

• Speaking 21

• Writing 20

The EU fee for this course is €6,830 (Year 1) €6,830 (Year 2) Students will be asked to contribute towards the cost of field trips. 
 

The Non-EU fee for this course is €16,400 per year.

As the programme is a professional masters and fully accredited by the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the most usual employment for graduates is in the planning industry. Traditionally conducted within the public sector at all levels of government, planning is now carried out in a wide variety of professional environments across the public and private sectors and across the housing, transportation, environment, retail, energy, heritage sectors.
 

The accreditation from the RTPI is internationally recognised and many of our graduates have found work across the globe. Students graduate with a range of skills which include creative problem solving, environmental evaluation, analytical and research skills, policy development, physical planning, community engagement, teamwork and design techniques and appreciation. This applied skill set is particularly attractive to the public sector, businesses and third sector employment situations.
 

Occupations associated with an MPlan degree:
 

Planning

• Working in central/regional/local government preparing spatial plans, managing development, protecting our heritage and countryside, working with communities and delivering regeneration;

• Working in a planning/design consultancy, preparing development proposals, advising clients and assessing environmental impacts;

• Working for yourself in your own planning consultancy.
   

Other environmentally based occupations

• Working with the third sector, promoting sustainability and regeneration, supporting essential development in the third world and campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of jobs, communities and places;

• Working in transport, housing, recycling, property development, energy, community development and economic development.
   

Research and further studies

• Working for a PhD, teaching and academic research;

• Carrying out environmental and property research.
   

Unlike most postgraduate options, an MPlan qualification leads directly to a professional career in planning or related fields. The MPlan has an extremely strong reputation in Ireland and abroad for the quality of their graduates and this is reflected in their employment rates and early career progress. Demand for planners is increasing rapidly in Ireland and across the globe.  A 2019 survey of almost 200 MPlan graduates shows that 35% work abroad (mainly in the UK, USA and Australia) with the remaining 65% having established professional careers in Ireland in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. In addition, the MPlan team have developed strong relationships with employers and specialist planning recruitment agencies which has helped secure positions for graduates of the programme.