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Cardiff University

Cardiff , Wales ,United Kingdom

International Planning and Urban Design (MSc)

The extraordinary effects of urbanisation are now deeply interconnected with many of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Cities around the world recognise that they can no longer ignore the scale of the political, socioeconomic, and environmental problems which often define the urban experience. These impacts – such as the erosion of public spaces, community displacement, traffic congestion, pollution and environmental damage, outdated and failing infrastructure, sharpening inequalities in wealth, health and well-being – are pervasive. Our MSc in International Planning and Urban Design is designed to equip you with the skills needed to analyse, understand, and confront these challenges.

Today, the speed and scope of urbanisation is intertwined with the need for immediate and profound response to the environmental climate crises facing our planet. The work of critical planners and innovative urban designers is now imperative as we seek to overcome the most profound challenges facing humanity: how can we (re)create cities that are responsive to the needs of citizens today whilst ensuring the sustainability of our collective global future?

In response to these immense challenges, national governments, municipal authorities, and communities alike need the help of practitioners of planning and urban design in their quest for the revolutionary reimagining of the possibility of cities. This programme will support you in developing a powerful range of skills and aptitudes for research, design, and critical thinking - tools that are vital for practitioners seeking to engage with communities, developers, politicians, and institutions - to help create healthy, vibrant, and sustainable cities.

We place an emphasis on the theoretical, methodological, and empirical ways of understanding urban problems. You will gain a broad education in international planning and a specialism in urban design, incorporating practical analysis and design skills, techniques for communication and collaboration, and a wide range of essential professional tools. This knowledge and learning experience will empower you with the ambition and confidence to shape a career in urban design and planning as an agent of positive change for our collective future.

Intakes

  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Our courses prepare you for a professional career in a wide range of industries, business and the financial sector, or further study.

Engineers are in high demand, and thanks to our wide range of degree programmes, our graduates’ prospects are among the best in the UK.

On average,
over 95%
of our graduates are
in employment or further study
six months after graduating.
Our graduates go on to work in a range of areas, including industry, the public sector, the financial sector or academia. Some graduate destinations include:

Supplementing your studies
We offer students the option of taking a Year in Industry after their second year of study, which is spent in a professional workplace gaining hands-on experience. This experience can simultaneously improve students’ confidence and employment prospects.

Our MEng (Hons) programmes also have the option of a Year in Europe, which is a year spent at an institution in France, Germany or Spain, after the third year of study. This is a chance not only for students to broaden their personal horizons, but also to develop further academic skills.

Links with industry
Students who are not on the Year in Industry scheme still benefit from industrial input in modules across all engineering disciplines. School-wide project modules are supported by industrial collaboration with a number of companies, including Flintec, Ove Arup and Partners International, Atkins, GL Garrard Hassan, BAE Systems, EADS, and Babcock Marine.

In the waste management, recycling, and energy fields there is significant input from research contracts with companies such as Rolls Royce, EoN, Tata Steel, and Stork Technical Services. Inputs are also received from companies such as Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL), Marine Current Turbines (part of Siemens), Bosch, ANSYS and Mabey Bridge.

In environmental and water engineering, presentations are given by industrially sponsored lecturers from CH2MHILL and Lusas. Direct industrial input also comes from companies including Newport Galvanisers (a subsidiary of Wedge Galvanisers), GBCard and Partners, Jacobs Engineering, Capita Symonds, and Mott-MacDonald.

Extra-curricular opportunities
In today's competitive graduate job market, we recognise that students are always looking for ways to make them stand out to prospective employers. Each year, our students have the opportunity to get involved with some really exciting projects.

Aside from this, there are many extra-curricular opportunities, both social and serious, organised through the School, the University or the Students’ Union.

PSW Opportunity

  • 2 Years PSW

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Postgraduate taught courses
You will need successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with grades of approximately 55%-60% to qualify for our postgraduate courses.

Postgraduate research courses
If you are applying for research courses from India, you will be required to provide evidence that you have already carried out research, usually via the successful completion of a relevant master's degree.

You will need successful completion of a relevant bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, with a grade of approximately 55% - 60%. Some Schools will also require the successful completion of a relevant master's programme from a recognised institution.

Qualification accepted

Equivalent to IELTS 6.5
(with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill)

Equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill)

Equivalent to IELTS 7.5 overall (with a minimum of 7.5 in each subskill)

IELTS (Academic) test from a recognised IELTS test centre

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill

At least 7.0 overall with at least 6.0 in each subskill

At least 7.5 overall with at least 7.5 in each subskill

PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)

At least 62 overall with a minimum of 51 in all communicative skills

At least 70 overall with no less than 54 in all communicative skills

At least 78 overall with no less than 78 in all communicative skills

TOEFL iBT including Home Edition

At least 90 overall with minimum scores of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking

At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill

At least 109 overall with a minimum of 26 in speaking and 24 in all other subskills

  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
  • Duration: 01 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 19450 GBP
    Annual Cost of Living: 9207 GBP
    Application Fee: N/A
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