The MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design programme is a one-year professional planning programme, providing fully-qualified architects with the requisite skills and knowledge appropriate to becoming a professional planner, and to specialisation in urban design. Urban design lies at the interface of architecture and urban planning, with both disciplines contributing complementary but contrasting approaches to urban design theory and practice. The programme seeks to instil values in graduates that are appropriate to a career in planning and urban design, specifically: a critical, reflective and intellectually confident approach to learning, research and practice; self-motivation; an appreciation of evidence-based solutions and social equity in decision-making; respect for the contrasting and complementary contributions of other specialist areas, professions and the role of the wider public; and a recognition of how these values impact upon practice and upon wider society.

The programme aims to train, mentor and support fully-qualified architects in developing core, transferable and specialist skills and knowledge in urban design, conservation and sustainable and resilient urbanism, as well as social science research methods applied to the built environment, and will enable graduates to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to create better places through urban design. While interactive lectures and seminars introduce students to key concepts, theory and approaches in planning and urban design, studio modules provide experience of working with other disciplines to solve complex planning and urban design challenges. Teaching, learning and assessment approaches include debates and discussions, presentations, case studies, graphic communication, group project work, independent research and academic and professional writing, to provide graduates with the requisite skills and knowledge needed in the rapidly changing global environment facing planning and urban design.