Town and Regional Planning
Town and regional planning is the professional discipline concerned with how land, space, and the built and natural environment are used, developed, and managed to serve the needs of current and future generations. Planners work at the intersection of geography, law, economics, politics, and environmental science, making decisions that shape the character of cities and towns, the protection of countryside and green space, the provision of housing and transport, and the response to environmental challenges such as flooding and climate change. The profession is regulated, and qualification requires both academic study and professional recognition.
At the University of Liverpool, this four-year, full-time MPlan programme is designed for those who wish to pursue a professional career in urban, regional, and environmental planning in the UK or internationally. The programme enables you to meet the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) recognised requirement for full membership, providing the academic foundation for chartership. You will study urban and regional planning theory and practice, planning law and policy, sustainable development, environmental planning, housing, transport, and urban design, developing both the analytical and practical skills needed for professional practice.
The programme includes a sandwich placement year for extended professional experience, a year abroad, and work placement throughout the course, giving you substantial exposure to planning practice in different contexts. Students also develop a specialist interest through dissertation research in their final year.
A typical entry tariff of 136 points reflects the academic level expected. Graduates go on to careers as town planners in local authorities, planning consultancies, national government agencies, developers, housing associations, and environmental organisations. RTPI chartership is the standard professional milestone.
Many graduates continue to research careers or postgraduate study in planning, sustainable development, or urban design.