Urban Design and Planning MA

• Planning History and Theory This module examines the history of planning and the evolution of the theories and ideas that have underpinned the various attempts to intervene in the natural and built environment through the institution of state-led planning systems.  Planning theory is presented as a means of thinking through the problems and solutions to complex social and planning challenges.
• The Making of Place This module focuses on the future of an area of London that has undergone radical change in recent years and is the subject of complex and intense pressures for development. The module will ask students to analyse the area and then to prepare, visualise and justify their ideas for the future of this area.  The underlying theme to the module is the belief that planners must be able to visualise possible futures for sites in such a way that is positive and imaginative and can guide and stimulate the ideas of others who might implement them. The module will incorporate the teaching of some relevant computer-aided design skills.
• Key Ideas in Urban Design and Planning The fields of urban design, planning and development have substantial associated literatures. Through this module students will be introduced to the complexity of ideas underpinning past and current practice approaches and will be encouraged to critically reflect on key topics.  Students will discuss key themes in small-group seminar settings and this will provide them with an opportunity to critique ideas and approaches and to explore the linkages between fields.
• Urban Design: People and Places The literature dealing with planning and urban design is rich in statements about the importance of ‘the user’ and the part spatial planning and urban design play in delivering better places for people, and there is a growing awareness that people are at the core of successful urban places. This module introduces key theoretical standpoints on the relevance of people’s use of street and city spaces and offers students the opportunity to develop a people-centred perspective on urban design.
• Designing Sustainable Places This module focuses on sustainability issues, allowing students to reflect on the various aspects of sustainability and the challenges faced by places, and encouraging them to reflect on and design possible solutions for more sustainable cities. The module addresses challenges and responses from spatial planning and urban design and from the variety of agencies involved in place-making in the context of a European field study visit; the visit is central to the module and it is mandatory; it will give students the opportunity to gain insight from experts engaged in key sectors for sustainability, such as planning, urban design and property development.
• Urban Design Project This project based module provides students with the opportunity to extend and develop their urban design skills in a practical context in relation to the planning and development process and the urban context for design.  It also reviews theories and approaches to urban design and explores and tests them against real places.  It develops approaches from earlier parts of the students’ course and leads to design proposals which are expected to be of a professional standard. This is supported by the teaching of relevant computer-aided design skills.
• Design and Property Development This module explores the role of ‘good design’ within the property development process. In so doing, it looks at the different design aspects and dimensions entailed throughout the development process, from inception of a scheme to its disposal. Accordingly, issues from the definition of property boundaries, to design particularities of different use categories and their impact on valuation, to long term management issues, will be considered in the module. Case study visits are also included as part of the learning experience.
• Dissertation The dissertation is the final module of the MA, undertaken by students across all postgraduate programmes within the Division of Urban Environment and Leisure Studies.  It is offered as an option instead of the Major Project. Through a substantial piece of independent research students are required to demonstrate an understanding of the themes related to their specialism. This module considers the design and implementation of research. It frames research within a social science methodology, covering theoretical and practical issues through a series of lectures and seminars which focus on critically assessing methods and selecting appropriate methods for particular research problems.
• Major project This module is offered as an option instead of the Dissertation module to students enrolled on the MA Urban Design and Planning.  The module will give students the possibility to apply their knowledge and understanding of urban design theories and key topics to a project.  Students will be able to investigate an urban design issue in depth and develop a proposal for change which is informed by research. Support will be provided through supervisory guidance and a series of lectures and seminars which focus on critically assessing methods and selecting appropriate methods for particular research problems.

The MA UDP will provide students with specialist expertise in urban design, allowing them to study this discipline within the broader frameworks of town planning and property development. This will allow them to develop a broad range of skills which will be attractive for urban design, planning and property development employers; architectural practices dealing with master planning, government organisations and research institutions are other possible employers.

Graduates have used urban design on the planning courses at LSBU to focus on the relationship between planning and design.  A number of our graduates now hold key posts in urban design in private consultancies or public authorities.

LSBU Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search.

As an LSBU student you have access to the Employability Service and its resources during your time here and for two years after you graduate.

Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or a placement/internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the career you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to network with students
• Job Shop – daily drop in service to help with, tailoring CVs, cover letters and applications, sourcing online resource, mock interviews and general job searching. One to one appointments for further support also available
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes
• Higher education achievement report - The HEAR is designed to encourage a more sophisticated approach to recording student achievement, which acknowledges fully the range of opportunities that LSBU offers to our students.
  It pulls into one certificate: Module grades, Course descriptions, Placements, LSBU verified extra-curricular activities
• Employability workshops - delivered free to students all year round on a variety of related topics
• Careers fairs throughout the year to really focus your thoughts on a career after university

Find out about any of these services by visiting our student employability page

The MA is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. This means that after graduation students can become licentiate members of the RTPI. With two years relevant work experience (in some cases one year) graduates can apply to take the RTPI Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and become chartered members of the RTPI.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) will consider the accreditation of this programme at the next Partnership Board

The course team is fully engaged with built environment professionals and guest speakers from the profession and industry provide valuable input through lectures, tutorials and project visits.

Recent guest lecturers include:

• Rob Cowan, Urban Design Group;
• Amanda Reynolds, Urban Design Group;
• Tom Buttrick, Southwark Council;
• Natalia Trossero, Broadway Malyan;
• David Waterhouse, Design Council

Employability has been a strong focus of the Division of Urban Environment and Leisure Studies for years and we have links with relevant organisations in the public, private and third sectors. Our Employability Coordinator helps students with career management skills and facilitates placements for students, updating them on employability opportunities through the Division’s employability Moodle site. He also liaises with the University Employability Service/Job Shop at LSBU to support students in job search, CV writing etc.

All students have a named personal tutor who will stay with them for the duration of their degree. The Division has also an employability coordinator.

As well as LSBU resources, students enrolled on the MA Urban Design and Planning will benefit from the facilities of the Division of Urban Environment and Leisure Studies. These include: our newly refurbished Urban Design Studio; our Resources Room (a meeting space and facility for our students and staff) and our Spatial Analysis and Informatics Laboratory.

In order to be considered for entry to the course MA Urban Design and Planning, applicants will be required to have a minimum of a lower second (2:2) Bachelor’s Degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.  

International students additionally require an English Language qualification, with an IELTS score of 6.5, or equivalent.

International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Full-time/part-time postgraduate students and research students apply through the UK Postgraduate and Statistical Service (UKPASS). Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

Postgraduate applicants are required to provide up to two references as part of their application.

Accommodation

Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.

Postgraduate Application Service

Book a session with one of our specialist Postgraduate Advisors. Over a one on one Advice Session they'll advise you on postgraduate degrees at LSBU that match your interests and experience. Book an Advice Session.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

Possible fee changes

Current regulatory proposals suggest that institutions will be permitted to increase fee levels in line with inflation up to a specified fee cap. Specifically, LSBU may be permitted to increase its fees for new and existing Home and EU students from 2017/18 onwards. The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any governmental guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually, and additionally the University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in line with inflation up to 4 per cent.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a postgraduate course, studying for a Masters-level qualification either full- or part-time from 1 August, you may be entitled to apply for a £10,280 postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

Postgraduate Advice Service

You are invited to book a one-to-one appointment with one of our Postgraduate Advisors. They offer a 30 minute face-to-face session where you can get tailored advice on fees and funding. Book a 1-2-1 Advice Session.

Scholarships

We offer students considerable financial help through scholarships, bursaries, charitable funds, loans and other financial support. Many of our scholarships are given as direct Tuition Fee discounts.

Overview of scholarships and fee discounts for postgraduate students. Key scholarships and discounts below.

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

Students holding an offer of a place on a postgraduate course will be invited to apply for a Vice-Chancellor Scholarships.

LSBU Graduate Loyalty Scheme

This scheme gives eligible undergraduate students and alumni a discount of their taught postgraduate tuition fees when they enrol on one of our postgraduate taught courses starting this year. Read more about the Graduate Loyalty Scheme.

International students

As well as being potentially eligible for our undergraduate scholarships, International students can also benefit from a range of specialist scholarships. Find out more about International scholarships.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a home, EU or international student for fee-paying purposes by reading the UKCISA regulations.

We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read How to apply tab for this course.

Enrolment and Induction

Enrolment takes place before you start your course. On completing the process, new students formally join the University. Enrolment consists of two stages: online, and your face-to-face enrolment meeting. The online process is an online data gathering exercise that you will complete yourself, then you will be invited to your face-to-face enrolment meeting.

At LSBU, you will be required to provide:

• Original proof of all of your existing qualifications related to your course offer at LSBU. For example, original A-Level certificates or original Degree certificate.
• Details of how you will pay your tuition fees if you are funded via Student Finance England or another sponsor, or payment if you are self-funded.
• Two original forms of ID which show your full name and date of birth and immigration status. For example your passport or birth certificate. Please note some applicants will be required to show additional evidence to verify your immigration status.

In September, applicants who have accepted an unconditional offer to study at LSBU will be sent details of induction, which is when they are welcomed to the University and their School. Induction helps you get the best out of your university experience, and makes sure you have all the tools to succeed in your studies.

Read more about Enrolment and Induction on MyLSBU, our student portal.

The best preparation for the MA Urban Design and Planning is to explore and observe the urban environment around you! Travel and interact with different kind of spaces; observe how space is used. Go to museums to find inspiration: the National Gallery, the Tate Modern...they are all free!

You can also do some background reading; as an introduction we suggest:

• Carmona, M., Tiesdell, S., Heat, T. and Oc, T.(2010) Public Spaces - Urban Places, 2nd Edition, Architectural Press, Oxford
• Cullingworth, B., Nadine, V., Hart, T., Davoudi, S., Pendlebury, J., Vigar, G., Webb, D. and Townshend, T. (2015) Town and Country Planning in the UK, Routledge, London