City Planning & Environmental Policy

This degree integrates an interdisciplinary approach that will deepen and broaden your understanding of environmental, social and economic issues, and sets these in a practical policy context. On entering first year, you will be introduced to a host of new ideas and concepts. Building your knowledge and skills throughout the first year of the course, you will progressively gain insight into the complexity of our taken-for-granted world and how we can constructively and sustainably respond to the challenges we face. A small class size and the interactive learning environment ensures an enjoyable experience that stimulates creativity and ownership of your career path.

The degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy includes modules in:

First Year

• Introduction to City Planning
• Environmental Change & Policy
• History of City Planning
• Urban Design
• Environmental Economics
• Inequality & Social Justice in Irish Society
• Planning & Development Studio

Second Year

• Local Planning Studio
• Community Development & Planning
• Geographical Information Systems
• Comparative Planning
• Urban & Regional Economics
• Case Studies in Environmental Policy
• Social Spacial Dynamics
• Rural Change, Development & Planning

Third Year

In Third Year students develop the skills to translate knowledge into practical solutions for future sustainable and smart cities. Modules may include:

• Environmental Management
• Climate Policy & Politics
• Transport, Environment and Sustainability
• Smart Cities

Fourth Year

In Fourth Year students will deepen their technical and practical knowledge of planning and environmental policy and will develop their critical thinking skills to prepare for their future career. Modules may include:

• Planning Methods and Leadership
• Planning Design and Development
• Planning Law
• Environment and Planning
• Plan Making Studio
• Housing Planning and Property

The modules are delivered in a variety of formats, including lectures, labs and studios. They provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research, field work and guest lectures from leading researchers, advocates and practitioners. Dublin and the surrounding region are viewed as a living lab for students learning.

Students have the opportunity in their third year to spend a year studying abroad either inside or outside Europe.  Students who opt for this international experience will complete their undergraduate studies in four years (rather than three). 

See our UCD Global exchanges page for more information

The final step towards your career as a planner, urban designer or environmental policy analyst is to complete a one-year specialist Master’s in Planning at UCD: The Master of Regional & Urban Planning, the Master of Urban Design & Planning or the Master of Environmental Policy. This will ensure you gain the necessary professional accreditations, including that of the Irish Planning Institute and the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Graduates find employment in:

• Government and local authorities
• Planning and environmental consultancies
• Local and regional development organisations
• Private companies (marketing/location/real estate/infrastructure)
• Non-governmental organisations (environmental/heritage/ international development)

Also check out the UCD Career Networks career guide for the College of Engineering & Architecture for details on the career supports available to UCD students.

By joining the UCD College of Engineering and Architecture, you will be part of a vibrant community of students and faculty who are committed to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. The mission of the College of Engineering and Architecture is to affect a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable future through our education of professionals in engineering, architecture, planning and policy, and our research in technology, design, and policy.  The College, in our engineers and architects, brings together the technical expertise to deliver and create infrastructure and technologies that can create a more sustainable future and, uniquely, the College, in our planners and environmental policy researchers, also brings together the research and professions required to create the policies and the regulatory environment that supports technological and infrastructure development, and that can also scrutinise and investigate the behavioural changes affected by our technologies.

The programmes at UCD are designed to equip students with the best education in their chosen field, while at the same time embedding the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG’s) in their education where most relevant.

City Planning & Environmental Policy

The bachelors in City Planning and Environmental Policy trains students to address the complex global issues we as a society face and equips them to create cities and communities that are environmentally friendly, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable.

• Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
• Reduce Inequalities (SDG 10)
• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
• Climate Action (SDG 13)
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

Non-EU Undergraduate Fee information can be found here.

UCD offers a number of competitive undergraduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD undergraduate degree programme. For information on Undergraduate Scholarships, please see the UCD International Scholarships webpage.