Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

This is an intensive, taught graduate programme (90 ECTS), comprising core modules in spatial planning, and in the specialist area of urban design, encompassing key areas of theory and practice, three major studio modules, research methods training, a thesis / design thesis, and professional development skills training. For full-time students, the programme is one year’s duration (three semesters / 12 months), and lectures, studios, etc., take place throughout the week. For part-time study options, please contact the college admissions office (eamarketing@ucd.ie) for further details.

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.

Graduates will have the option of continuing a career in architectural practice, but with a specialism in the sought-after areas of spatial planning and urban design. However, alternative career paths include roles in the public, private and community sectors, including planning and urban design consultancies, local authorities, development firms, regeneration companies, and environmental and other NGOs.

View All Modules Here

This section links to general module information, for a more detailed description including module selection rules click here.

MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design (T324) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9810
nonEU    fee per year - € 27720

***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see http://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/scholarshipsfinances/scholarships/.

The MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design is fully accredited (both spatial and specialist) by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The School has an established international track record as a leading research centre in spatial planning and is in the Top 100 QS World University Rankings by subject area. UCD has over 50 years’ experience delivering high quality planning education and the School is a member of the Association of European Schools of Planning.

• The programme is open to Architects on the RIAI Register of Architects or persons eligible to seek registration as an architect in Ireland without further assessment.
• 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.

The MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design aims to educate, train, mentor and support qualified architects to up-skill through specialisation in both urban design and spatial planning. A mix of learning and assessment strategies are employed, notably including studio-based learning, which will also include the involvement of leading practitioners to ensure that students acquire key ‘industry-ready’ urban design skills. Given that the programme may be of interest to mid-career architects, the programme is offered on a part-time basis, in recognition of the demands of professional practice, allowing these students to continue practising part-time alongside their studies.

Assistant Professor Arthur Parkinson - Programme Director

• Master of Architecture
• MSc Architecture, Urbanism & Climate Action FT
• MRUP FT
• MSc Environmental Policy FT
• MSc Urban Design & Planning FT

The School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy offers dedicated studio space for its students, a dedicated architecture library and map room, access to fully equipped computer facilities, a building laboratory space with a wide range of equipment including laser cutters and a CNC router, and access to monitoring and simulation equipment in the Earth Institute.

The following entry routes are available: