Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeships

3rd in the UK for median graduate salary for Architecture, Building and Planning, 1 year after graduation (LEO, 2026).

Our assessments reflect what a UK Town Planner does including field analysis, visioning exercises, plan making, mapping, data analysis, report writing, negotiations and presenting to peers and in pressured situations.

We have a residential field trip in Semester 1 of Level 4 that introduces you to a range of planning issues in urban and rural context and gives you a common knowledge base and a chance to get to know other students and the lecturing staff.

Overview
Course Content
Teaching and Assessment
Careers
Entry Requirements
Apply
Fees

Overview

Please note: The Register Your Interest form is not an application. Completing it does not submit an application.

To apply, you must have confirmation of an employment offer in an apprentice role related to the apprenticeship standard. Any applications submitted without this confirmation will be automatically rejected. If you meet the entry requirements, you are welcome to submit an application via our portal.

Shaping places

Did you know that LSBU town planning graduates work all over the UK and internationally in both the public and private sectors? We have been educating British town planners on accredited Royal Town Planning Institute courses for over 50 years, and boast three contemporary Presidents of the RTPI among our alumni.

Our three courses will equip you with the technical and managerial know-how to be an effective town planner and prepare you to be a life-long learner, so that you may develop a successful career and rise through the ranks of your profession.

Town planning is a challenging and rewarding career. It is aimed at improving the places in which we live, work and play. It is about visioning the future and using the tools that your professional and vocational training gives you to realise and sustain that vision. It is dynamic, reacting to changes in society, the environment and political and legal frameworks in which people live their lives and development takes place.

It is not about telling people what their future environment will be like, but is about working with a wide range of stakeholders to bring diverse ideas, wants and needs together. Your people skills will be as important as your technical knowledge; town planning is a test of your all round abilities and gives you a deeply satisfying career.

The courses are fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute. This means that after graduation you can become a licentiate member of the RTPI. With two years relevant work experience (in some cases one year), you can apply to take the RTPI Assessment of Professional Competence exam and become a full member of the RTPI.

Course Content

What will I learn?

There are two types of modules on this apprenticeship:

1. Taught, classroom-based modules, taught in semesters. Students will study these on a day release basis. These modules are shared with the BA (Hons) Urban and Environmental Planning, MA Town and Country Planning and/or MA Urban Design and Planning.

2. Planning Practice Modules, which involves guided, work-based learning, where students get three touch points during the year:

Beginning (September) - briefing and planning;
Middle (January) - formative feedback and workshops; and
End (June /July) - to provide assessment guidance.

Staff will act as tutors to students on the Planning Practice Modules, being available by email and phone and face-to-face meetings as requested.

However, students will also have a work-based mentor whose job it will be to support and guide the student as they identify, gather and analyse information. This is a key structural difference to the non-apprenticeship degree programmes and firmly sets the Degree Apprenticeships Chartered Town Planner apart from these.

In the Planning Practice Modules, the emphasis is on learning at and from the work place. It is here where many of the skills and behaviours, that the Town Planner must develop, are best observed, analysed and developed. These modules will be supported via LSBU's Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, and clear guidance will be given to the work-based mentor. The student will be required to log their work on the University’s e-portfolio, One File.

Making Sustainable Places
Planning History and Principles
Development Management
Plans, People and Processes
PPM 1: The Professional Planning Environment
PPM 2: Interpersonal Skills and Professional Behaviours

Environmental Change: Issue and Impacts
Strategies, Visions and Design
Planning for Housing
Local Economic Development
PPM 3: Plantech
PPM 4: Community Engagement and Participation

Evidence Based Planning
Real Estate Valuation
International Planning Perspectives
Cities and Representations
PPM 5: Planning Practice Project (double module)

Planning, Politics and Theory
The Making of Place
Specialism – one from:
- Housing and Regeneration
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobilities
- Urban Design Project
Planning Law in Practice
PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
PPM 7: Professional Profile

Planning, Politics and Theory
The Making of Place
Specialism – one from:
Housing and Regeneration
Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobilities
Urban Design Project
Planning Law in Practice
PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
PPM 7: Professional Profile
Dissertation

Planning, Politics and Theory
The Making of Place
Urban Design Project
Design and Property Development
PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
PPM 7: Professional Profile
Dissertation

* Modules are subject to review and change throughout the year.

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Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

Each of the Chartered Town Planner apprenticeship degrees gives you a strong mix of work-based and classroom-based learning. This allows you to develop not only your knowledge, but also your skills and behaviours to see you through your professional career.

Delivery

Teaching is by day release and reflective work-based learning. Apprenticeships start in September 2019 with a three day field based induction and includes a Level 4 field trip, site visits and analysis in London and summer schools in preparation for your major projects and end point assessments.

Assessment

Assessment of the degree apprenticeships is by coursework only. You will be expected to write essays and reports, research and analyse sites, interpret plans, compile plans and policies, complete portfolios, take part in mock inquiries and analyse the viability of proposals. All these are the task of the planner.

Gateway

Before undertaking the End Point Assessment, you will provide evidence of satisfactory completion of all aspects of the apprenticeship programme. To do this you must have passed all modules, completed your e-portfolio, personal development plan and continuing professional development plan. We will run a short summer school to help you prepare for the end point assessment.

End Point Assessment

The End Point Assessment is the final stage of your apprenticeship programme. During the EPA you will demonstrate the mastery of the skills, knowledge and behaviours developed throughout your apprenticeship. This will be done as a part of a professional discussion and submission of an evidence portfolio.

Careers

What’s in it for me?

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

A town planner’s role is to help stakeholders create a vision for what a place (city, town, village or countryside) may look like in the future, and then to manage and facilitate the design, development and conservation processes that enable this be put into practice.

Typically, a town planner will be involved in four key aspects of such place shaping. These all require stakeholder engagement including local communities, developers, infrastructure providers (e.g. highways authorities, electricity, gas, water), county, district and unitary authorities, government agencies (e.g. Natural England, English Heritage). The four main areas are:

Policy and plan making including the collection and analysis of data and researched material, visioning and the management of the plan through the statutory processes of consultation, adoption and implementation.
Development control, including the validation of planning applications, advice to the applicant, assessment of the application against the local plan and planning laws and regulations, the awarding or not of planning permission, preparation and appearance at planning inquiries, and potential taking an application through judicial review. This also includes negotiation of agreements between developers and the local planning authority to secure such non-commercial resources such as social housing, doctor’s and schools premises, road improvements and leisure facilities.
Enforcement which includes using an array of notices to stop development, remove unlawful development and to ensure development meets the terms of the permissions granted. Such enforcement may mean engaging with the courts and judicial system.
Conservation and management of heritage and countryside resources by working with resource owners, consulting on applications and help in negotiating management agreements, licenses and grant applications.

As a town planner, you will be engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and seeking often multiple outcomes for development schemes. You will use a range of skills and abilities you to play your role in shaping the places in which we work, live and take our leisure. These include negotiation, seeking compromise, making recommendations, enabling others to achieve their aims, communicating complex ideas and concepts to non-specialists, working within the law, and making ethical decisions.

The on-the-job element of your apprenticeship will give the opportunity to work and network with other professionals in the industry and begin to develop your network that can support you throughout your career. All of our apprentices become student members of the RTPI giving you access to seminars, publications and other professional opportunities.

Applicants to this course are advised that the University is awaiting accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Once this is received, this page will be updated.

: With 23,000 members the Royal Town Planning Institute is the largest planning institute for spatial, sustainable and inclusive planning in Europe. 2014 marks its centenary.

LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

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We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Find out more

Entry Level Requirements

The entry requirements below are for 2027 entry. Want to start your course this September? Call 0800 923 8888 for entry requirements.

PgDip Chartered Town Planner (Apprenticeship) (PT)

A Level BCC;
BTEC National Diploma MMM;
Access to HE qualifications with 9 Distinctions and 36 Merits or;
Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 106 UCAS points or;
Level 3 Planning Technician Apprenticeship.
Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

MA Chartered Town Planner (Apprenticeship) (PT)

A minimum 2:2 degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject area, such as built environment and social science subjects. Applicants with a non-cognate degree and several years’ relevant work experience may be offered a place, if they can demonstrate a suitable level of specialist subject knowledge.
Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design) (Apprenticeship) (PT)

A minimum 2:2 degree, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject area, such as built environment and social science subjects. Applicants with a non-cognate degree and several years’ relevant work experience may be offered a place, if they can demonstrate a suitable level of specialist subject knowledge.
Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

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Apply

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode	Duration	Start date	Application code	Application method
PgDip Chartered Town Planner (Apprenticeship) (Part-time)	Up to 60 Months Practical Period & 19 Months EPA (79 months)	September	5555	Direct to LSBU
MA Chartered Town Planner (Apprenticeship) (Part-time)	Up to 24 Months Practical Period & 19 Months EPA (43 months)	September	5556	Direct to LSBU
MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design) (Apprenticeship) (Part-time)	Up to 24 Months Practical Period & 19 Months EPA (43 months)	September	5557	Direct to LSBU

An Apprenticeship Standard is comprised of a programme of study, an End Point Assessment and on-the-job learning. This means that in addition to meeting academic requirements, you’ll need to be employed in a role related to your apprenticeship. The process of applying depends on whether you have an employer to sponsor (and support) you.

If you are employed and your employer has confirmed they will support your apprenticeship:

You are welcome to submit an application via our application system. You’ll need to provide details of your employment/employer as part of the application. You’ll also need to ensure you and your employer meet the requirements – find out who can be an apprentice to see if you meet the entry requirements and employer commitments to find out more about your employer’s role.

If you are not employed:

You will need to find a job role related to the apprenticeship you wish to apply for, with an employer who is happy to support you. If you would like to find an employer to support your apprenticeship with LSBU, you can search which employers are currently advertising Apprenticeships via the National Apprenticeship Service website searching for ‘London South Bank University’ as keywords.
If there are no search results, this means there are currently no vacancies. We update our vacancies regularly, so please do check back regularly.
Many employers advertise their apprenticeship vacancies on their websites or via other portals. You could search for ‘find an apprenticeship’ online.
When you’re ready to apply, see the government's advice on how to write a winning apprenticeship application and make your application.

Further information for apprentices

If you’re a prospective apprentice, you can find out more about who can be an apprentice on our student pages.

Further information for employers

If you’re an employer, you can find information about the employer commitments and further related information on the related pages for business.

See our admissions policy 1.5 MB and complaints policy 516.0 KB.

Prepare to start

There are steps the apprentices, the employer and the University need to complete before you start your course. Take a look at the steps to be completed in the Enrolment section. Employers may also like to look at our steps to offering an apprenticeship.

How to apply

Read more about how to apply for undergraduate courses.

International students

International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

Accommodation

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course. You’ll also be invited to our Applicant Taster Day so keep your eyes peeled!

Enrolment

Before you start your course, we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our enrolment pages.

Fees

Funding

The cost of the apprenticeship is paid fully by the employer (sometimes part funded by the government) through the apprenticeship levy. The apprenticeship levy is a pot of money some companies pay into, which all businesses have access to spend on the training costs of apprenticeships. Companies fall into two categories: levy-payers (who pay into the pot) and non-levy payers (who do not). You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers

The apprentice does not contribute toward the cost of study.

Important Update: Level 7 Apprenticeship Funding

From 1 January 2026, the UK Government has changed how Level 7 (master ’s-level) apprenticeships are funded:

Government funding will no longer be available through the apprenticeship levy for Level 7 apprenticeships for most apprentices aged 22 and over starting on or after 1 January 2026.
Funding exceptions:
* Apprentices aged under 22 at the start of their apprenticeship will still be eligible for government funding.
* Apprentices aged under 25 who are care leavers or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will continue to be eligible for government funding.
Existing apprenticeships that started before 1 January 2026 will continue to receive government funding through to completion under the previous arrangements.

What this means for employers:

For new Level 7 apprenticeships starting from January 2026 onwards, government funding will not cover training costs for apprentices aged 22+ (unless they meet the specific exceptions above).
Therefore, the employer must fund the full cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment directly with the training provider for these apprentices.

Bands

Apprenticeship standards are all assigned a funding band by the Government – these funding bands are the maximum amount the Government will fund via the levy towards a given apprenticeship standard. There are currently 30 funding bands ranging from £1,000 to £27,000.

Incentives

Employers with less than 50 staff sending an apprentice aged 16-18 will have 100% of the training costs paid by the government. All employers who employ an apprentice aged 16-18 on the first day of teaching will receive a £1,000 incentive from the government. You can find out more in our Levy and Funding section, specifically for employers.

Cost

You can find out the funding band for an Apprenticeship Standard on the Government website. To find out how much we are charging, please get in touch with us at apprenticeships@lsbu.ac.uk

Field trips

The Level 4 residential field trip is included with the course fees (except subsistence). Local site visits in London may require you to pay local travel costs.