Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship: Level 5 Entry

Apprentices joining the course at Level 5 study for 4 years, attending university one day a week (20% ‘off the job learning’). A tailored learning package to meet the Chartered Town Planner standard is agreed between the employer, the university and the apprentice. Apprentices spend 24 days a year or more at university and they also have assignments and further academic study as part of their 20% ‘off-the-job’ learning. However, the bulk of the learning happens in the workplace and will include shadowing team members and learning a range of planning duties. On concluding their course, apprentices take an End Point Assessment and, if they are successful, become Chartered Town Planners.

In Level 5 apprentices take a range of modules that explore current key issues in planning. The indicative list of modules includes Housing Markets, Development of Planning Thought and Neighbourhood Planning & Design. These modules are closely mapped onto the RTPI Knowledge, Skills and behaviours (KSBs) that are essential part of the RTPI EPA. In addition, apprentices acquire the key skills, strategies and support for effective university level learning. In Level 6 the indicative list of modules includes Planning Policy and Practice, Neighbourhood and Community Planning, Heritage and Conservation and Women & Built Environment. Apprentices also obtain the research methods to successfully complete an undergraduate level dissertation on a planning issue or theory of their choice. At level 7 Apprentices learn about the development plan framework, planning law and planning theory, interpreting and applying policy, community engagement and urban design. Students also complete a major Level 7 project on a specialist planning issue that interests them.

Applicants do not need to have an undergraduate degree for Level 5 Entry. They must already be working in planning with a levy paying organisation. They must have sufficient planning experience to successfully achieve ‘recognition for prior learning’ (RPL) for Level 4. Successful applicants will join the course at Level 5 and progress from there, through Level 6 and Level 7. All Degree Apprenticeship students then complete the Royal Town Planning institute (RTPI) End Point Assessment (EPA) to become Chartered Town Planners. 

Applicants without English and Maths GCSE or equivalent at C or above will need to achieve these qualifications before entry to the course.

Please note applications are submitted through the relevant employer, not directly from applicants.

• Email: apprenticeships@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
• Tel: 0113 8124500