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Master of Regional & Urban Planning

MRUP (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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In today’s complex and rapidly changing world, with the threats posed by climate change, economic crises, energy security and rapid urban growth, planners face the challenge of creating places that combine environmental quality with a vibrant economy, quality of life and distributive justice. This one-year professional planning degree develops the requisite conceptual knowledge and practical skills required by planners in this increasingly complex environment. You will develop an understanding of the administrative, legal and policy frameworks in which spatial planning operates and the social, political, economic and environmental challenges facing planning. In addition, students develop practical skills for plan and policy making, including environmental assessment, retail assessment, public participation methods, development and project management, and GIS. Students will also engage with understanding the role of planning in public policy and sustainability and can avail of independent research or internship opportunities which are assigned on a competitive basis. The UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy has an established international track record as a leading research centre in spatial planning and is in the Top 150 QS World University Rankings by subject area. The School is a member of the Association of European Schools of Planning.

"Applicants who are progressing from UCD's City Planning & Environmental Policy degree should apply to this programme (W178) . All other eligible applicants (non UCD Progressing) should apply for this Master of Regional and Urban Planning programme (T399)

Module Information:
Under the "What modules can I take?" section below you will see general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

About This Course

  • Apply knowledge and research skills to generate integrated and well substantiated responses to spatial planning challenges at various spatial scales.
  • Appreciate planning and environmental policy research, exhibit the skills of autonomous researchers and recognize the value of research as an input into improved planning policy and practice.
  • Appreciate societal diversity and recognize the importance of equity and equality of opportunity in spatial planning processes.
  • Communicate effectively verbally, graphically and through written documents and to communicate ideas, concepts, knowledge and conclusions to peers, specialist and non-specialist audiences within an interdisciplinary environment.
  • Demonstrate effective research, analytical, evaluative and appraisal skills and the ability to reach appropriate evidence based planning decisions.
  • Diagnose problems, define solutions and make decisions based on balancing a range of competing professional and stakeholder interests.

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to

  • Understand how spatial planning operates within the context of political, institutional and legal frameworks, and understand the wider social, economic, political and environmental context for planning sustainable environments
  • Understand the challenges and responsibilities of balancing competing economic, social and environmental requirements in shaping space, will be open to critically assessing these, reflecting on them and acting in a professional and ethical manner in the interests of the common good
  • Work effectively both on their own as part of a team in an interdisciplinary context

Graduates of the MRUP are to be found working as professional planners in the public and private sector, as GIS consultants, as policy advisors, property  development consultants, and as community & rural development coordinators. Our graduates have found employment with: national and international planning  agencies, government departments, local authorities including urban and rural authorities in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand; transportation agencies including the National Transport Authority; planning consultancy firms including Tom Philips and Associates, Brock McClure Planning and Development Consultants, and KPMG Future Analytics consulting; urban regeneration companies,  large house builders including Glenveagh Properties; wind and solar energy companies including Eirgrid and ABO Wind, and environmental NGOs including An Taisce.

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
 PLAN40060 Urban and Regional Development Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40080 Economic and Property Markets Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40160 Planning Studio: Plan Making Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40630 Planning Methods, Skills & Techniques Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40610 Environment & Sustainability Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 PLAN40620 Planning, Design & Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Spring Option Modules: Students must select one of the following Spring Option Modules
PLAN40350 Advanced GIS Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Spring Option Modules: Students must select one of the following Spring Option Modules
PLAN40390 Sustainable Cities Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Spring Option Modules: Students must select one of the following Spring Option Modules
PLAN40570 Conservation and Placemaking Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
REQUIRED SUMMER OPTION: ALL students must select from the following Required Options: Either PLAN40240 Thesis @ 30cr, OR PLAN40600 Internship PLUS PLAN40590 Practice Based Project; Please note that internships are assigned on a competitive basis and the number of internships available in any given year may vary. Students who are not offered an internship will be required to undertake the Thesis module as an alternative.
 PLAN40240 Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
REQUIRED SUMMER OPTION: ALL students must select from the following Required Options: Either PLAN40240 Thesis @ 30cr, OR PLAN40600 Internship PLUS PLAN40590 Practice Based Project; Please note that internships are assigned on a competitive basis and the number of internships available in any given year may vary. Students who are not offered an internship will be required to undertake the Thesis module as an alternative.
 PLAN40590 Practice Based Project Summer  10
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 of:
REQUIRED SUMMER OPTION: ALL students must select from the following Required Options: Either PLAN40240 Thesis @ 30cr, OR PLAN40600 Internship PLUS PLAN40590 Practice Based Project; Please note that internships are assigned on a competitive basis and the number of internships available in any given year may vary. Students who are not offered an internship will be required to undertake the Thesis module as an alternative.
 PLAN40600 Internship Summer  20

The Master of Regional and Urban Planning (W178) is fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Irish Planning Institute, in conjunction with the BSc City Planning and Environmental Policy.


Graduate Profile - Hannah Breshears, Tom Phillips & Associates

"I completed the Master of Regional and Urban Planning in UCD in 2016. I was working for an architecture firm in the US at the time and looking for a way to transition into the European job market. As an international student, I found the ancillary courses in Irish planning law, European property markets and comparative planning from the MRUP program to be particularly helpful, as they gave me the foundation I needed to engage with an unfamiliar industry and understand some of the cultural context at play in Irish policy making. The program also provided excellent opportunities to network with professional planners in Ireland, which gave our class a helpful snapshot of the various career paths available in the area. I completed an internship with a large private planning consultancy in Dublin that was offered by one of the UCD guest lecturers over the summer and accepted a permanent position there shortly after graduation. My job has evolved somewhat since then, and I now lead the research efforts at the firm as a Geospatial Analyst, a position which combines traditional town planning expertise with more technical data management skills (using GIS software and other related BIM tools)."

Master of Regional & Urban Planning (W178) Full Time
EU          Year 1 - € 10560
nonEU    Year 1 - € 29100
EU          Year 2 - € 10060 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 29100 aa

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2025 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2024/25
***Fees are subject to change

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ Level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a cognate discipline including Geography, Sociology, Economics, Politics, Social Science, Law, Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Property Economics, Surveying and/or equivalent relevant professional experience. Those with other degree qualifications may apply but will be required to undertake an interview.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
  • These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Master of Regional & Urban Planning:

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W178
Master of Regional & Urban Planning
Master of Regional and Urban Planning

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Commencing September 2025
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