Planning is a recognised profession, therefore it is important to make sure that you have the right academic qualifications before you can start practicing as a planner. Most employers expect their planners to have higher education qualifications to at least undergraduate level.

If you want to become a Chartered Town Planner you will need an RTPI-accredited degree. Chartered Town Planner status, which is gained when a planner becomes a Chartered Member of the RTPI, is the formal professional recognition that you have achieved a certain level of education, expertise and skills to practice as a competent planner.

RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

The RTPI currently accredits planning courses throughout the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Asia and Africa.  These accredited programmes meet the RTPI's academic requirements for Chartered Membership.

If you wish to gain Chartered status eventually, you should ensure that you complete an RTPI-accredited combined programme of study. A combined programme offers a good background in spatial planning as well as knowledge of a specialist area in planning. The Institute also accredits courses that are spatial or specialist only. If you choose to enrol on a spatial programme you need to ensure that you also complete a specialist programme, or if you choose to enrol on a specialist programme you need also to complete a spatial programme, to be able to apply for Chartered status. A spatial or a specialist course on its own will not satisfy the Institute’s academic requirements for Chartered status.

RTPI-accredited undergraduate programmes take at least four years to complete. The standard route is three years of undergraduate study followed by a placement year with an employer and/or one year of postgraduate study, leading to a Diploma or Masters.

COURSES NOT ACCREDITED BY THE RTPI

Planning courses are offered by many universities globally but they are not all accredited by the RTPI. Only the courses mentioned on our website are accredited. In addition, not all the courses offered by our partners in education are accredited either. Therefore, if becoming a Chartered Town Planner is important to you, you should seek reassurance from the relevant university that your course of choice will fully satisfy the Institute’s requirements for Chartered Membership.

All is not lost, however, if you choose to do a non-accredited undergraduate degree. You can always do an RTPI-accredited postgraduate degree at a later time. Of course, the sooner you have all the relevant qualifications under your belt the sooner you can become a Chartered Town Planner.

Mature Students

Universities welcome applications from mature students (usually those aged 21 or over) who have formal qualifications equivalent to A Levels. Students who have relevant work experience and have completed an appropriate Access course will also be considered.

You should contact the relevant university for further advice about your qualifications and experience.

• Where do planners work?
• Salaries and career progression
• Jobs in planning
• Choosing a university course
• For planners who want to work abroad
• For overseas planners who want to work in the UK
• Resources for Schools

Author:

Katherine Parkes

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

09-Jul-10

Categories:

Education, Planning as a Career 

Sections:

Education & Careers

This article has been read 44280 times.