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City Planning & Environmental Policy  (RCS1)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2024/2025
School
School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Dieter Kogler
Overall Programme Credits:
180
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

The bachelor's in City Planning & Environmental Policy is about solving complex issues that we experience in our everyday lives. How can we provide housing for everyone? How can we reduce our climate impact and conserve our natural environment? Where should we build our schools and shops? This unique degree brings together a focus on the city, the environment and design and links them with clear routes to professions and careers.

So, if you are considering a career as a qualified planner, urban designer or environmental policy analyst this degree is for you. These professions allow you to visualise new patterns and ideas for cities and to bring this vision to reality by activating social change and promoting sustainable development. This course gives you the skills to enable real world change. UCD Planning is the also the oldest, largest and most respected planning and environmental policy school in Ireland. Most planners currently employed in Ireland were educated in the School and the course is accredited by both the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Irish Planning Institute (IPI).

The BSc in City Planning and Environmental Policy bridges topics of concern to built environment professionals and those interested in the broader natural environment.  The programme integrates disciplinary knowledge from several subject areas to deepen and broaden students’ understanding of spatial, environmental, social and economic issues.  Particular focus is given to planning and policy responses to such issues. The programme promotes a knowledge-based and evidence-based approach to creative problem-solving that supports the realisation of a more equitable and sustainable world.



The programme provides a learning environment that encourages a balance of teamwork and individual projects that develop the students’ capacity to critically reflect on how people interact with their environments and understand the improvements needed to enhance their quality of life.  Policy studios are an important element of the programme and are complemented by lectures, seminars and computer laboratories.  The programme employs case study learning, group work projects, planning and policy analysis/formulation, critical writing as well as student presentations to create an effective and constructive learning environment that maximises student engagement with the programme’s content.  


1 - Demonstrate comprehension of planning and environment policy as both individual bodies of knowledge, and as interrelated fields of research.
2 - Critically evaluate concepts, challenge assumptions and synthesise a broad array of perspectives.
3 - Appreciate the importance of socio-spatially orientated research in developing creative solutions.
4 - Work with established methods in gathering, analysing and evaluating various forms of data pertinent to planning and environmental policy research.
5 - Show competence in communicating research and articulating new concepts.
6 - Work successfully both on an individual basis and as a collaborating team member.
7 - Display capacity for the context sensitive analysis of the multidimensional issues pertaining to the geographic areas in which and on which they work.
8 - Apply the knowledge and skills learned to creatively develop context sensitive problem-solving strategies across a range of planning and environmental policy issues.
9 - Exhibit aptitude to assess challenges and formulate workable solutions across various contexts and scales, from site design to the international policy arena.
10 - Understand and critically reflect on the ethical implications of existing, proposed and potential activities across the fields of planning and environmental policy.
11 - Have a broader awareness of, and appreciation for related bodies of knowledge and fields of activity.

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.

Stage 1

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme is a 3-year BSc programme (Level 8). Stage 1 comprises 55 credits of Core modules all students must take, along with 5 credits of Additional Options where students have a choice. ***Note: Students may apply to Study Abroad on exchange in respect of their third year of study and if approved they will study overseas for one year, and return to complete the content of Stage 3 at UCD in their fourth year of study. And in this mode, their programme will become the 4-year BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy (International) programme. Students intending to study abroad on exchange for their third year of study must have this approved by the Programme Director and the Governing Board during Stage 2.

Stage 2

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme is a 3-year BSc programme (Level 8). Stage 2 comprises 50 credits of Core modules all students must take, along with 10 credits of Additional Options where students have a choice. ***Note: Students may apply to Study Abroad on exchange in respect of their third year of study and if approved they will study overseas for one year, and return to complete the content of Stage 3 at UCD in their fourth year of study. And in this mode, their programme will become the 4-year BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy (International) programme. Students intending to study abroad on exchange for their third year of study must have this approved by the Programme Director and the Governing Board during Stage 2.

Stage 3

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme is a 3-year BSc programme (Level 8). Stage 3 comprises 50 credits of Core modules all students must take, along with 10 credits of Additional Options where students have a choice. ***Note: Students may apply to Study Abroad on exchange in respect of their third year of study and if approved they will study overseas for one year, and return to complete the content of Stage 3 at UCD in their fourth year of study. And in this mode, their programme will become the 4-year BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy (International) programme. Students intending to study abroad on exchange for their third year of study must have this approved by the Programme Director and the Governing Board during Stage 2.

Stage 4

The BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy (International) programme is a 4-year BSc programme (Level 8). Where a student is approved to Study Abroad on exchange for a full year in respect of Stage 3 (Third Year) of the BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy programme, their programme becomes the BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy (International) programme and upon completion of their study abroad year, students complete Stage 4 in UCD. Stage 4 is identical to Stage 3 of the BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy and comprises 50 credits of Core modules all students must take, along with 10 credits of Additional Options where students have a choice.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ENVP10030 Environmental Economics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ENVP10040 Land Use & Sustainability Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10010 Introduction to City Planning Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10020 History of City Planning Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10030 Urban Design Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10040 Research methods Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 ENVP10010 Environment Change & Policy Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10080 Planning and Development Studio Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN10100 Contemporary Issues in Planning Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 SSJ10060 Inequality and Social Justice in Irish Society Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Addtional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. These modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
ECON10040 Economics and Sustainability Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 55 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 5 Elective Credits or select an Addtional Option Module from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. These modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
GEOG10100 People, Places, Regions Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 ENVP20020 Case Studies Environmental Pol Autumn  10
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20020 Introduction to GIS Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20070 Smart Cities Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20090 Socio-Spatial Dynamics Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20010 Community Development and Planning Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20030 Local Planning Studio Spring  10
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20080 Rural Change, Dev.& Plan. Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
 PLAN20130 Property & Planning Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. These modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
ARCT20040 History & Theory of the Designed Environment III - Survey Course 2 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. These modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
DEV20130 Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. These modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
GEOG20130 Cities in a Global World Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ENVP30010 Environmental Management Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 ENVP30030 Climate Policy and Politics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PLAN30010 Transport, Environment & Sustainability Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PLAN30170 Planning Institutions & Governance Autumn  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PLAN30060 Regional Innovation Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PLAN30160 Healthy and Sust. Communities Spring  10
Stage 3 Core Modules
 PLAN30180 Rural & Landscape Planning Spring  10
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. Normally, these modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
GEOG30860 Environmental Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. Normally, these modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
SPOL30220 Social Policy, Social Justice and the Environment Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ENVP30010 Environmental Management Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 ENVP30030 Climate Policy and Politics Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN30010 Transport, Environment & Sustainability Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN30170 Planning Institutions & Governance Autumn  10
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN30060 Regional Innovation Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN30160 Healthy and Sust. Communities Spring  10
Stage 4 Core Modules
 PLAN30180 Rural & Landscape Planning Spring  10
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. Normally, these modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
GEOG30860 Environmental Assessment Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Students must register to a minimum of 50 Programme Credits (Core Modules). Students may register to 10 Elective Credits or select Additional Option Modules from the list below, in order to fulfill their Stage requirement of 60 credits. Normally, these modules should be selected to ensure a balanced workload of 30 credits per trimester.
SPOL30220 Social Policy, Social Justice and the Environment Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHARCH006 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
BHARCH008 Stage 4 - 50.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Stage 2 - 20.00%
 Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20
Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67
Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07
Pass

2.00

2.47
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