BSc in City Planning & Environmental Policy

Our degree 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 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.

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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.

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
• Contemporary Issues in Planning

Second Year

• Local Planning Studio
• Community Development & Planning
• Geographical Information Systems
• Case Studies in Environmental Policy
• Socio-Spatial Dynamics
• Rural Change, Development & Planning
• Smart Cities
• Property and Planning

Third Year

In Third Year students develop the skills to translate knowledge into practical solutions for future sustainable and smart cities. Students also have the opportunity in the second trimester of third year to pursue a workbased project (either through an internship or practice-based project) or to study abroad. Students have previously studied in countries such as France, Netherlands, USA.

Modules include:

• Environmental Management
• Climate Policy & Politics
• Transport, Environment and Sustainability
• Regional Innovation

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 Design and Development
• Plan Making Studio
• Planning Institutions and Governance
• Planning Methods, Skills and Techniques
• Environment and Sustainability

The modules are delivered in a variety of formats including lectures, labs and studios. This learning environment provides opportunities for research, field work and guest lectures from leading researchers and practitioners. Dublin and the surrounding region are viewed as a living lab for student learning.

Students have the opportunity in the second trimester of third year to pursue a workbased project (either through an internship or practice-based project) or to study abroad. Students have previously studied in countries such as France, Netherlands, USA.

On completion of this degree students will gain the necessary professional accreditation to pursue a career as a professional planner. If students wish to develop further skills and knowledge they may choose to pursue graduate study, through either an MSc or PhD.

With a growing need for planners in Ireland and further afield our graduates find employment in:

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

• Open Learning Entry Route


• Mature Entry Route


• DARE Entry Route


• HEAR Entry Route

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.