The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Spatial Planning
MSc
Key facts
Start dates
September 2021 / January 2022 / September 2022 / January 2023
Course length
Full time: 12 months (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start)
Part time: 24 months (Sept start), 29 months (Jan start). Distance learning: 24 months (Sept start), 29 months (Jan start)
Department
Accreditation(s)
Royal Town Planning Institute; Seeking Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation
Overview
Designed in collaboration with leading industry professionals, this MSc in Spatial Planning is a varied and interdisciplinary course that prepares you for work as a planner in a wide range of roles.
Accredited by the RTPI, the course centres on the role of spatial planning in tackling the key challenges that our built and natural environments are facing in the coming decades. Throughout the course you’ll gain the wide-ranging knowledge and skills that you need to succeed as a practitioner in the planning profession.
With a focus on employability and a teaching team that includes experienced practitioners and high-profile researchers, the course curriculum is at the cutting edge of practice. It develops an international perspective on the field of spatial planning and provides you with the flexibility to develop specialist expertise that complements your interests and ambitions.
Our graduates work in a wide range of government roles, both in the UK and abroad, as well as in private sector planning and related fields such as design and property development.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in any discipline, as well as those seeking continuing professional development.
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can evidence relevant planning and development experience.
Applications will also be considered from those who have no first degree but have three or more years' professional experience in planning, and have completed the university's Certificate in Spatial Planning Studies.
The MSc Spatial Planning programme attracts students from a wide and varied range of disciplinary backgrounds, including geography, environmental sciences, architecture and design, economics and politics. We also encourage applications from those already in employment (in planning or related fields) and seeking to further their professional development. A diversity of interests and skills is welcomed in this interdisciplinary programme.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Application process
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).
Tuition fees
Please see the fees note
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
2021 / 22
Home (UK) full time
£8,700
Home (UK) part time
£4,350
International / EU full time
£15,500
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.
Financial support and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.
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, if any, are detailed below.
The course includes an overseas field trip. Field trip attendance is not compulsory for distance learners, but it is encouraged. The cost of the trip is partly subsidised by the University, for indicative costs please contact tde-be-enquiry@brookes.ac.uk).
Other half or full-day field trips form part of certain modules and there may be small costs associated with these (e.g. travel to / from a site).
Although your coursework will usually be submitted online via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), there are likely to be some circumstances where you will need to cover the costs of printing for submissions and presentations associated with assessment.
Learning and assessment
Master's degree (MSc)
You must complete:
3 compulsory modules
research methods module
elective specialisation module
a 15,000-word master's dissertation.
Full time master’s students will have two teaching days each week during semester - one for each 30 credit module.
Part time and Distance Learning students will have one teaching day each week during semester.
Distance learners will enrol in the same modules as part-time students and will have the opportunity to participate in real-time lectures and workshops. You’ll also have the option to view recorded sessions so that you can engage in your studies at the times and pace that suit you.
For all students, a typical teaching day will consist of four hours of teaching time. In addition, you will have 1-2 hour Research Methods sessions in certain weeks.
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
This course has been designed to develop your professional skills and knowledge of the sector to allow you to succeed in your career ambitions. We use a variety of teaching and learning approaches to deliver a theoretically informed and practice-focused programme. These include workshops, seminars, design studios, lectures and online discussion forums.
All students have access to the course’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to gain access to teaching and learning materials, and discussion forums, at times that best suit you.
Throughout the programme, you’ll have the opportunity to interact and work with students from across the course. You’ll also have the chance to work alongside students in other courses in your specialisation module.
Field trips
The course includes an overseas field trip that is part of the Planning Frameworks: Law, Policy and Professional Practice core module. The field trip is designed to expose you to practical examples of planning issues and approaches in another European country. Field trip attendance is not compulsory for distance learning students, but all students are encouraged to attend wherever possible.
The trip is usually three to four nights. Our teaching staff continually review the field trip destination, past destinations have included Barcelona, Amsterdam and Lyon. The field trip carries an additional cost. Please see the Additional costs section of this page for details.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
There are no examinations in the MSc Spatial Planning course and you will be assessed solely by coursework. Assessment methods used in the course include:
- written reports
- essays
- verbal presentations
- practical/project based work
- debates
- reflective journals
- dissertation.
Reflecting the nature of professional planning practice, many assessment tasks in the course involve collaborative group work.
Research
The School of the Built Environment is widely recognised as a leading educator in environment, design and development subjects. We perform a leading role in research and consultancy, with clients and projects covering subjects from local concerns to multi-national organisations, government and industry.
Key areas of expertise and scholarship in the department form the research groups and units listed below. These research groups and units also comprise a substantial part of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD):
- Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
- Land Design and Development (LDD)
- Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
We have links with universities worldwide, including Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Taiwan, Romanian, Serbia, Slovenia, Hungary, Poland and most EU member states.
After you graduate
Career prospects
The Spatial Planning programme at Oxford Brookes has been designed in collaboration with professional institutes and industry practitioners to ensure it responds to the needs and expectations of the industry.
Graduates will be well prepared to enter careers as planning practitioners working in public and/or private sector planning practice, as well as in related fields such as property development, design or housing.
The School of the Built Environment has extensive national and international industry links. During your time on the course, you’ll have the chance to make valuable industry connections and take part in a range of professional networking opportunities.
Our Staff
Dr Dave Valler
Dave is a Reader and Research Lead in Planning in the School of the Built Environment at Oxford Brookes. He also coordinates the School's Spatial Planning Group, and a member of the Faculty's Research Grants Committee.
Read more about DaveProgramme 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.