Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

European Spatial Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc)

PLANET Europe is a two-year (120 ECs) integrated European Masters programme on European spatial planning, environmental policies and regional development.

Special Features

• International study and learning from different countries is built into the structure of the course
• Significant scope to specialise on particular environmental or economic aspects of policy or spatial planning
• It is hoped that the course will be accredited as a ‘specialist masters’ by the Royal Town Planning Institute (meaning that it completes the educational component of RTPI membership for those applicants who already have an RTPI-recognised undergraduate degree)

Course Description

It is a joint Masters Programme of Radboud University Nijmegen, Blekinge Institute of Technology and Cardiff University that prepares graduates for a career in environmental and spatial planning in Europe.

The PLANET Europe programme is designed for students who would like to better understand the influences of the European Union and international developments on space, the environment and the economy and who would like to address large-scale spatial challenges such as climate change or transnational river management in their future careers.

It allows students to specialise on either European spatial planning and sustainable development (Nijmegen-Cardiff track) or on European spatial planning and regional economic development (Nijmegen-Blekinge track), and leads to an internationally-recognised double degree (MSc) from leading European planning schools.

It is our objective that graduates of the joint integrated Masters programme ‘PLANET Europe’ will:

• have acquired substantive knowledge and a sound theoretical understanding about the European dimension of spatial planning and the role of EU policy and legislation for spatial planning, environmental policy and regional economic development in European countries and regions
• have developed a sound understanding of spatial planning for Europe (i.e. at transnational level) as well as differences of spatial planning in Europe (i.e. about spatial planning in the EU member states and the differences in its organization and understanding)
• have acquired substantive and theoretical knowledge about European spatial planning and EU environmental policy and sustainable development, or about European spatial planning and regional economic development, innovation and cohesion, depending on the specialization they have followed
• have developed sound methodological skills, in particular for undertaking international comparative research, and independently conducted research on a topic in the field of European spatial planning, EU environmental policy and/or regional economic development
• have experienced planning practice in Europe and critically reflected on the theory-practice interface
• have developed cross-cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication skills that are important for spatial planners in Europe. Interactive teaching and learning The PLANET Europe Masters programme challenges and stimulates students, who work in small groups on contemporary themes and learn to think critically about new developments. The various modules (courses) are assessed through a variety of essays, seminars, project work and practical exercises. Students receive personal supervision and a thorough training in methodology to learn how to conduct meaningful research

Course Structure

Semester one (all students in Radboud University Nijmegen)

• Institutional perspectives on societal change and spatial dynamics
• Comparative planning
• European spatial planning and territorial cooperation
• International environmental politics
• The EU and domestic impact: economy, space and environment

Semester two (Cardiff route)

• Researching sustainability
• Planning for sustainability
• Environmental Management (option)
• Environmental behaviours: citizens, consumers and communities (option)
• Local Food and Sustainable Development (option)

Semester two (Blekinge route)

• Research and survey methods
• European social models
• Innovative regions
• Regional disparities
• European cohesion policy

Semester three

• Professional development (an internship)
• Intensive seminar

Semester four

• Dissertation (jointly supervised by either Nijmegen-Cardiff or Nijmegen-Blekinge)

The programme is delivered entirely in English.

Graduate Prospects

Graduates will be well prepared for the new challenges of undertaking spatial and environmental planning in the EU and an important asset for the European labour market and employers in the field. Graduates from this Masters programme are expected to work in EU institutions, national and regional public authorities, private companies and NGOs dealing with spatial planning, regional policy and environmental planning. Because of the international orientation and the thorough academic foundation of the Masters programme, graduates are also well prepared to pursue an academic career.

Entry Requirements

A first or second class Bachelors degree in disciplines such as planning, human or economic geography, environmental planning, or other relevant social science. Relevant job and life experience, or extra-curricular activities (e.g. board memberships; voluntary work) can also be considered in the selection process.

Students whose first language is not English will be required to pass the IELTS exam, obtaining a minimum of 6.5 as an overall score.

Funding

With the support of the Erasmus Mundus programme of the European Union, PLANET Europe is able to offer scholarships to talented students from within and outside the EU from September 2012 onwards. These scholarships cover travel, participation and subsistence costs for excellent applicants.

How to Apply

The application process for the PLANET Europe Masters programme consists of two steps:

1. Fill in and submit the digital application form

2. Send your application in hard copy

If one of the forms (digital or hard copy) is missing after the deadline, your application will not be considered as part of the selection procedure.

Please visit PLANET Europe Application Procedure for further details on the application process

Tuition Fees

Please visit PLANET Europe - Tuition Fee & Finance for details.

Further Information

For further information on the programme, please visit the PLANET Europe website or contact them via information@planet-europe.eu.

For specific questions about the School of Planning and Geography and Cardiff University, please contact Dr Richard Cowell using the contact information below.

Next intake: September each year

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