Urban and Regional Development (MSc)
1 year (Full-time) / 2 years (Part-time) / n/a (Distance / E-Learning)
Course Aims
Graduates of the programme in urban and regional development will have:
- developed a critical theoretical understanding about processes of socio-economic change in comparative perspective – in towns, cities, regions and city-regions across the world
- developed sound data analysis and research skills, in particular in the analysis of uneven development at the regional and more localised community scales
- practical skills in devising urban and regional development strategies
- the ability to critically reflect on and engage with the practical and policy challenges of addressing uneven development between places
- the opportunity to link theory and practice in the context of a ‘living laboratory’ because the world’s first regional development policy was designed for South Wales and the region is still grappling with the legacy of its heavy industrial past.
Special Features
- This MSc is recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a 'specialist' masters, allowing those who have completed a three year RTPI recognised undergraduate spatial planning degree to complete the RTPI's educational requirements for membership.
- Also accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), allowing completion of the educational requirement for RICS membership.
- Throughout the MSc programme, students will examine issues in urban and regional development within the unique (yet highly relevant) context of the South Wales city-region. One of the first regions in the world to experience de-industrialisation, South Wales was one of the areas – the “special areas” as they were called – where the world’s first regional policy was designed in the 1920s and 1930s. This regional experience presents an excellent ‘living laboratory’ for studying not only the causes and consequences of urban and regional change, but also for distilling the policy lessons which are of relevance to the wider world. Students on the programme will thus have the opportunity to study the theory, policy and practice of urban and regional development in one of the world’s leading academic schools, located in a region with the longest experience of regional policy in the world.
Course Description
The MSc in Urban and Regional Development provides students with the opportunity to understand socio-economic change in towns, cities, regions and city-regions – issues which are of increasing significance globally across different regions and nations. The focus is on developing knowledge of the key theoretical tools to understand the nature and source of this socio-economic change and its uneven impact on different social groups and different places around the world.
Drawing on leading-edge theoretical debates about uneven spatial development, this programme provides students with the key skills required to shape local and regional development in the worlds of policy and practice. These skills include data analysis and research skills, problem-solving skills through project-based teamwork, and skills in engaging and working across different sectors and organisations, including public, private and third sector organisations. The programme also enables students to focus in more depth on understanding the specific challenges of uneven development at particular spatial scales - from the broader regional and city-regional scale to the more localised community and neighbourhood scale.
The programme also addresses a state-of-the-art public policy agenda to enable students to understand, research and then apply their knowledge and skills to the practical challenge of designing strategies to help cities and regions to become more innovative and resilient places in which to live and work.
Course Structure
The course is divided into two parts:
- Part 1 comprises a teaching programme of core and option modules over two semesters (or four semesters for the part-time course). Options are available in the Masters Graduate School of City and Regional Planning and the School of Social Sciences.
- Part 2 comprises an individual dissertation on a topic selected by each student in consultation with members of staff. Whilst there are few constraints on the choice of topic, it must address at least one of the core course themes of the Urban and Regional Development programme.
Available Modules
The following is a proposed list of modules for the programme in 2013/14. Please note that these may be subject to minor changes.
Core Modules
- Governing Places
- Researching Urban and Regional Development
- Urban and Regional Dynamics
Option Modules
- Community, Sustainable Health and Well-being (School of Social Sciences)
- Designing Cities
- Environmental Policy and Climate Change
- Housing in a Globalising World
- 'Live' Project
- Planning and Real Estate
- Sustainable Housing and Community Development
- Urban and Regional Development in Practice
For further details and up-to-date information on the course and modules, please see the course listing on the School's website.
Skills Acquired
- Analysis of policy problem
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Evaluation of alternatives
- Recognition of issues of scale, geography and/or culture
- Processing data
- Data analysis techniques of software
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Group working
Careers Prospects
The course offers the knowledge and expertise to enable students to work within a large number of urban and regional development related careers. These can range from research, policy development and implementation, planning roles within the public and private sectors to agencies and businesses involved in new and re-development projects. The course is suitable for both UK and international students.
Our Alumni collectively represent the variety of potential careers and jobs that our current (and future) students may embark on.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a first or second class Honours degree in an appropriate subject. This MSc is suitable for graduates in planning, geography, architecture, engineering or other relevant disciplines, or mid-career professionals working in planning, development or similar fields. The course is appropriate for both international students and UK students interested in urban and regional development.
A minimum standard in English language of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent will be required for students whose first language is not English. The UK Border Agency requires minimum sub-scores of IELTS 5.5 across the four competencies of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The University’s English language centre offers 10 and 8-week Pre-sessional Courses and a longer Bridge Programme and provides on-going support for international students.
Study Visits:
There are a number of study visits offered which are linked to option modules. These may range from one day visits to UK towns and cities to longer international visits. Generally travel costs associated with one day visits are met by the School but the costs associated with longer trips will be additional to course fees and will need to be met by students.
Funding
Cardiff School of Planning and Geography is able to offer a reduction in tuition fees of £500 (or £250 reduction in each year of a part-time course) to all Cardiff University alumni.
For other funding opportunities available through the School, please visit their Tuition Fees and Funding webpage.
The fees below are those before bursaries have been deducted.
Tuition Fees:
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UK & EU Full Time for 2013/14
£5,945.00
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UK & EU Part Time for 2013/14
£2,972.00
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International Full Time for 2013/14
£13,700.00
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International Part Time for 2013/14
£6,850.00
Next intake: September 2013
School Contact
Name: Dr Pauline Card
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2087 6092
Fax: +44 (0)29 2087 4845
Email: CardPD@cardiff.ac.uk
School Website: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/cplan
More information
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UK & EU Full Time for 2013/14
