Infrastructure Planning and Sustainable Development
MSc or PGDip or PGCert
Start dates: September 2024 / January 2025 / September 2025
Full time: 12 months (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start)
Part time: 24 months (Sept start), 29 months (Jan start) (distance learning only)
Location: Headington, Distance learning
Department(s): School of the Built Environment
Overview
Ready for a career in urban planning? Our industry accredited MSc Infrastructure Planning and Sustainable Development will challenge your thinking and boost your expertise in tackling some of the most pressing issues facing cities in the Global South.
Understanding the latest thinking in infrastructure planning is key to your success. That’s why we’ve developed this course in collaboration with practitioners working in the industry. You’ll learn what it takes to bring together various stakeholders to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes in an urban context.
We’ll arm you with the knowledge and problem-solving approaches you need to be a confident decision-maker. Transport, power and water are all important hard infrastructure to consider. You’ll also look at social infrastructure such as housing, schools and hospitals that are vital for the wellbeing of communities.
This course is the perfect if you want to develop your career working in:
- government
- planning consultancies
- development NGOs
- international development agencies
- major development companies.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Unique perspective
Ours is the only course in the UK to focus on infrastructure planning in the Global South and how we can work for socially just and environmentally sustainable development.
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Learn from practitioners
The course has a global focus and is delivered by a teaching team of academics and experienced practitioners working in the field.
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More than theory
There’s a practical focus. We look at how ideas apply in real life and you’ll get first hand experience on our international field trip and our practice based module.
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Industry accredited
Your postgraduate qualification will be accredited by Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
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Hybrid delivery
This course is online and face-to-face. We encourage our full-time students to connect with our distance-learning students who are typically working in the field.
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Accreditation(s)
Fully accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Course details
Start this course in January or September
You can start this course in January if a September start doesn't suit you or is not currently offered for this course.
If you start in January you will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.
Study modules
The modules listed below are compulsory for both the MSc and PGDip. The PGCert is obtained by taking one compulsory module. The MSc also requires completion of one additional module within the final project section below. Please contact us for more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Research
The School of the Built Environment has an impressive list of funders and clients covering UK and EU government, research funding councils and industry.
- the European Commission
- UK Government/Agencies
- local government
- the commercial sector.
Research areas and clusters
Infrastructure and energy continue to be a key focus as they are the essential components of a rapidly urbanising world.
Research groups:
Careers
A range of employers are looking for graduates in this area including local and international planning consultancies, local authorities, bilateral and multilateral development agencies and large NGOs.
Whether you’re looking to move into a new career or you’re using the course for career development, you’ll develop plenty of practical, career-enhancing skills at Oxford Brookes. We’ve designed the course collaboration with professional bodies and industry practitioners to ensure it responds to the needs and expectations of industry. You’ll find recent graduates from this course at employers like:
- Turner & Townsend
- Stantec
- Avison Young
- DWD
- SWECO and BMWK working in international development
- UK local authorities working in planning.
To hear about opportunities and make new connections, we encourage you to become part of our virtual alumni network which is hosted on LinkedIn.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent).
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can effectively portray suitable credentials, and usually have an appropriate professional background.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
There is no formal application deadline. We advise applying in good advance to secure places.
Applicants should factor in any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable). Distance learning study can sometimes close sooner than on-campus study, as it requires additional Faculty preparation.
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Optional costs
Additional costs | Amount (£) |
---|---|
Intensive study periods for open-learners: accommodation fees | From £100 per night |
European or international field trip |
£350-600 |
For any other field trips, you will need to cover the costs of your own travel. This does not normally extend beyond London. We do not normally visit exhibitions with entry fees, and if we did, visiting would be on a stricly voluntary basis. |
Typically £15 |
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.