Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate MPlan
Planning
Explore the challenges facing planners today and graduate with a masters-level qualification that will help you deliver projects that make better places.
Course Overview
-
K490 -
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
4 Years -
19 Sep 2022
Take the first step towards becoming a Chartered Planner and gain free membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) on this integrated masters course.
You’ll develop the expertise needed to become an ethical and informed planner and help make a difference to the communities and environments where people live and work.
As part of your course, you’ll:
- Follow large and small local planning projects from their initial proposal through to their finished sites
- Use SPSS research software and geographic information system (GIS) software
- Engage with experts from industry through field trips, live projects and guest lectures - previous speakers have included planning lawyers and urban designers
- Work with a community group or local council to put together a neighbourhood plan, adding to your technical know-how and strengthening your communication skills
We’ll help you understand the challenges planners face today, including the impact of new planning policies and the need for affordable housing. The issues of sustainability and regeneration will be at the heart of your course and you’ll gain a solid grounding in planning regulations and laws so you can assist in designing the sustainable communities of the future.
Industry links
As a student on this course, you can enjoy free membership of the RTPI, giving you access to career development advice. We’ll help you reach the professional standards expected from the Institute by encouraging you to keep a diary of your work, logging why you have made certain decisions and improvements.
Industry expertise
Many of our teaching team work in private practice and lead on community projects. Our strong research background in areas such as neighbourhood planning will feed into your learning. You’ll also meet our graduates who will share their experiences and advise you on how to turn your vision for a town or community into planning policy that will stand up to the scrutiny of development officers and lawyers.
Tailor your study
In your final year, you’ll choose between a dissertation or a major design project, where you can explore topics as diverse as renewable technology and the housing crisis.
Why study Planning at Leeds Beckett University...
- Fantastic placement opportunities
- The opportunity to work on real-life projects
- A number of UK based field trips fully paid for by the school
- Industry experienced expert teaching team
Supporting you into employment Our Careers Fair, attended by over 25 major employers from the Civil Engineering, Construction, Architecture and Planning sectors gives you the opportunity to secure graduate roles, placements and part-time employment.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
We have now welcomed students from over 140 countries across the globe. If you are interested in studying with us you can find your country and get all the information you'll need about entry requirements and how to apply.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy/Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Our commitment to help every student succeed:
Leeds Beckett University is committed to ensuring that every student with the potential to succeed at our University is able to do so regardless of their background. For this reason we operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we take into account a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff (above).
Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website)
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts
- Declared as a care leaver on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)
Our place as an Anchor Institution:
Leeds Beckett University is in the top 10 universities nationwide for being representative of our local community. To further strengthen our position as a key provider of education and training for West Yorkshire we apply an Anchor Institution Policy in our admissions process. Students who apply to us from any of the five Local Authority areas in West Yorkshire (BD, HD, HX, LS, WF) will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points.
Mature applicants:
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..
All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.
We have now welcomed students from over 140 countries across the globe. If you are interested in studying with us you can find your country and get all the information you'll need about entry requirements and how to apply.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Our silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
Teaching & Learning
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload is indicative and may be subject to change.
What you'll learn
Learn the history, theory and practice of planning, sustainability, localism and neighbourhood planning.
Explore sustainable development and find out how environmental, social and economic aspects contribute to sustainable places.
Heighten your awareness of environment, its characters, and the natural and human processes which shape its evolution.
Examine the impact of global, national and local urban policies on the development of cities and how they are shaped both physically and environmentally.
Develop an understanding of design processes, from response to site, brief formulation, concept development, through to visual communication of design ideas.
Work in a group to produce creative and inspiring proposals for a real-world settlement, considering how you would make it a better place to live.
What you'll learn
Enhance your employability prospects on a ten-week work placement. You'll develop subject specific, graduate employability and intellectual and cognitive skills. You'll also gain professional skills and learn how to reflect on what transferable skills you'll need for your chosen career.
Examine the history of planning and the use of land as you study changes in legislation and the key figures who have shaped planning today.
Building on the knowledge you have gained during the Sustainable Places and City & Society modules, you will explore how changing complex urban problems are addressed in the UK and internationally through policy and practical responses.
Study the workings of the modern housing market by discovering the building blocks of housing policy and public strategy.
Gain skills in developing and resolving spatial and landscape site designs through the effective organisation of place, space, activities, materials, plants and people.
This module will provide an in-depth analysis of a neighbourhood with emphasis on creating a rationale for future design actions. You'll explore a broad range of physical, social, and cultural contexts applicable to the built and semi-natural environment. Your analysis work will inform design proposals for the neighbourhood.
Explore the importance of place and places in our everyday lives. You'll examine methodologies for analysing the qualities of existing built environments. You'll review the urban design principles which can help create good quality sustainable places. And you'll acquire the skills to evaluate the qualities of existing places and spaces and the work of key urban design theorists and practitioners.
What you'll learn
Build an understanding of the role planners play within a complex planning policy making system. You will look at the wider political context within which planning operates and reflect on the impact this has on the role of the planner.
Develop your knowledge of community involvement and participation in design before working on a community-based project.
Examine recent trends towards community governance, which have been influenced by debates about the nature of community and democracy. You'll explore current developments in neighbourhood planning, community empowerment, consensus building and collaborative planning.
Work with students from areas such as project management and architecture to create a proposal for the redevelopment of a site in Leeds.
Gain an understanding of heritage conservation in the UK and how it relates to urban regeneration and renaissance.
Examine new and current housing policies and their delivery by housing organisations, the financial sector and private companies.
What you'll learn
Review the historical evolution of the spatial planning system in the UK. You'll examine its key purposes and principles and prepare planning policies for localities of your choice.
Explore various methods and develop the skills you will need to complete your dissertation.
Learn the current approaches to the planning of contemporary developments by studying the role of development controls and how to evaluate the quality of existing places.
Gain an understanding of sustainable development and reflect on the idea of community as you prepare strategies for sustainable development in your chosen field.
Choose to complete an in-depth research project for your dissertation or a major design project which will combine your planning and creative skills.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Travel insurance for field trips
- Travel insurance for field trips.
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Essential Costs
- Year 2 international trips form part of the optional International Field Trip module and are a compulsory requirement of passing the module (£20 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your flights which are dependent on departure airport, time of booking and flight extras (£100), and you will need to pay for your travel to and from the airport in the destination country. Your accommodation for this trip will be organised by the school and included in the cost of your tuition fees. Alternatively you could complete a local field trip to meet your learning outcomes if you are unable to attend the international trip
- Year 2 international trips form part of the optional International Field Trip module and are a compulsory requirement of passing the module (£20 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your flights which are dependent on departure airport, time of booking and flight extras (£100), and you will need to pay for your travel to and from the airport in the destination country. Your accommodation for this trip will be organised by the school and included in the cost of your tuition fees. Alternatively you could complete a local field trip to meet your learning outcomes if you are unable to attend the international trip.
- Year 3 international field trip as part of optional modules.
Optional Costs
- Year 1 European field trip forms part of Sustainable Urbanism (£140 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your subsistence. Passing the module is not dependent upon taking part in the trip
- Placement locations and experiences will vary throughout the course and you will need to pay for any additional travel or dual accommodation costs
- Year 1 European field trip forms part of Sustainable Urbanism (£140 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your subsistence. Passing the module is not dependent upon taking part in the trip. Â
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one additional support or scholarships, follow the links below:
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Travel insurance for field trips
- Travel insurance for field trips.
Essential Costs
- Year 2 international trips form part of the optional International Field Trip module and are a compulsory requirement of passing the module (£20 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your flights which are dependent on departure airport, time of booking and flight extras (£100), and you will need to pay for your travel to and from the airport in the destination country. Your accommodation for this trip will be organised by the school and included in the cost of your tuition fees. Alternatively you could complete a local field trip to meet your learning outcomes if you are unable to attend the international trip
- Year 2 international trips form part of the optional International Field Trip module and are a compulsory requirement of passing the module (£20 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your flights which are dependent on departure airport, time of booking and flight extras (£100), and you will need to pay for your travel to and from the airport in the destination country. Your accommodation for this trip will be organised by the school and included in the cost of your tuition fees. Alternatively you could complete a local field trip to meet your learning outcomes if you are unable to attend the international trip.
- Year 3 international field trip as part of optional modules.
Optional Costs
- Year 1 European field trip forms part of Sustainable Urbanism (£140 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your subsistence. Passing the module is not dependent upon taking part in the trip
- Placement locations and experiences will vary throughout the course and you will need to pay for any additional travel or dual accommodation costs
- Year 1 European field trip forms part of Sustainable Urbanism (£140 non-refundable deposit) and you will need to pay for your subsistence. Passing the module is not dependent upon taking part in the trip. Â
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one additional support or scholarships, follow the links below:
We believe in planners with a real passion for place; planners who are capable of delivering real change; planners with vision and leadership. We have designed this course to help you become everything you can be – a planner who will deliver better places for people.
Dr Quintin Bradley
Senior Lecturer
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
Career Prospects
Graduating from a course accredited by the RTPI will leave you well placed to secure a rewarding career in a number of sectors. Whether you choose to work for a local authority, a private planning consultancy or with community groups, you will be able to make a real difference to the world around you. Your theoretical and design expertise could see you working as a development control officer, planning consultant or planning assistant.
- Development Control Officer
- Senior Planning Consultant
- Planning Assistant
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
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