The MSc Urban and Regional Development course is designed for those who want to understand more about spatial development theory and practice and help meet the policy challenge.
The course will provide you with the opportunity to understand socio-economic change in towns, cities, regions and city-regions; issues that are of increasing significance globally. There is a focus 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, you will develop 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 course also enables you 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 course also addresses the public policy agenda to enable you to understand, research and apply your 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.
Distinctive features
• You will study the theory, policy and practice of urban and regional development in South Wales, which has the longest experience of regional policy development in the world.
• 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.
• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), allowing completion of the educational requirement for RICS membership.
Structure
This programme can be completed inone year full-time or two years part-time and is comprised of modules totalling 180 credits.
Core modules:
Urban and Regional Dynamics
Governing Places
Urban and Regional Development in Practice
Researching Urban and Regional Development
Dissertation
Optional modules:
Environmental Management
Live Project
Environmental Policy and Climate Change
Planning and Real Estate
Designing Cities
Housing in a Globalising World
Urban and Regional Development in Practice (part-time only)
Sustainable Food Systems
Renewable Energy Development and Planning
Teaching
An array of teaching and learning styles are used throughout this programme.
You will attend lectures, participate in seminars and discussions, and attend field study visits. Most of the taught modules in the programme are compulsory, though there is some scope for choice in the second semester at
Cardiff University.
You should attend all timetabled sessions of the programme – lectures, seminars and presentations – but are also expected to engage in independent study.
Assessment
A variety of summative assessment methods are used. These include formal written examinations, written texts, written assignments of a variety of lengths, projects requiring empirical data, case studies, student-led presentations, reviews of current research, library-based research, negotiated topics and formats.
With the exception of two modules (which use exams), all assessment is now done by coursework. This approach allows you to pursue and develop specific interests and themes across a range of different modules. It also provides further opportunities for you to work independently and demonstrate high-level practical, professional and transferable skills.
Coursework will generally consist of one piece of work of 4000–5000 words unless otherwise specified. Some coursework assessment will take the form of project-based work where this is appropriate to the skill set and learning outcomes.
The major piece of project work will be the dissertation. This will involve an independent piece of analysis and empirical research. The dissertation will be an integrated part of the scheme with a preparatory module (Research Study Methods) which aims to provide you with the skills and the knowledge necessary to complete the exercise successfully.
You will be expected to complete the dissertation by the end of September of your final year.
Career Prospects
The course offers the knowledge and expertise to enable you 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.
Applicants should normally hold a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in an appropriate subject.This MSc is suitable for graduates in planning, geography, architecture, engineering or other relevant disciplines (e.g. economics, sociology), or mid-career professionals working in planning, development or similar fields. A minimum standard in English language of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent will be required for students whose first language is not English.
