Thinking of applying for your first university course in planning? Some advice

10-Jan-07

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

You need an RTPI-accredited degree if you want to become a Chartered Town Planner eventually. 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 and is another qualification, in addition to your academic qualifications, that many employers expect you to have.

RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

The RTPI currently accredits planning courses throughout the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong. 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 students a good background in spatial planning as well as knowledge of a specialist area in planning. The Institute also partially 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.

RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

COURSES NOT ACCREDITED BY THE RTPI

Planning courses are offered by many universities in the UK 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.

RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE IN PLANNING

It is important to put some thought into choosing the course that is just right for you. University websites often publish quite detailed information about courses and you should take the time to compare course outlines before you pick the one with the most interesting modules. You may also want to discuss the course with the admissions tutor or the academic administrator before you make your decision.

It is also a good idea to do a bit of research. Does the planning school or department offer a range of courses and specialisms? The more areas the school specialises in, the more choices you will have of interesting courses or specialist options in your final year. You should also read the online biographies of lecturers in the school or department. Do they do interesting research (sometimes their publications may be online for you to read)? Are they potentially interesting honours dissertation supervisors?There is no harm in thinking ahead.

It is also important that you visit the university, if at all possible, before you decide to take up the offer to study there. Are the tutors friendly and interesting? What about the students? Are the facilities, e.g. library, computers, accommodation, etc, good? Does the university offer good student support, e.g. disability and learning support, if relevant, or career advice? Will you have chances to develop your other interests besides study? Will you be happy living in the city where the university is located? Is there a good social life? Remember what they say about all work and no play …

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE COURSES IN THE UK

UK and Irish qualifications

Each UK university will have its own entry requirements for undergraduate courses. However, they all require applicants to have at least a C grade in GCSE English (or English Literature) and Mathematics.

You should also aim to get as good A Level (or Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate) grades as possible.For GCE A Levels, most universities require at least 260 UCAS points, equivalent to BCC or above, BBC for Scottish Advanced Higher (or BBBCC for Scottish Higher) and BBBBB at higher level for Irish Leaving Certificate. It is a good idea to do some research on entry requirements as early as possible so that you know in which subjects you need to improve before the time comes to do your A Level exams.

Relevant A Level subjects include Geography, English, Mathematics, History, Economics, Sociology, Biology or Environmental Science, but other subjects may also be accepted. Please note, however, that some, if not most, universities do not accept General Studies. A Geography A Level is very useful, and for some planning courses it is actually an advantage.

You should contact the relevant university for further advice about entry requirements.

UNIVERSITIES OFFERING RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

International qualifications

International qualifications such as the European Baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate and other qualifications are also accepted by universities.

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

UNIVERSITIES OFFERING RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

Technical or vocational qualifications

Universities will also accept technical and vocational qualifications such as BTEC and Vocational A Levels.

You should contact the relevant university for further advice about your technical or vocational qualifications.

UNIVERSITIES OFFERING RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES

Mature students

Universities welcome applications from mature students aged 21 years or above 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.

UNIVERSITIES OFFERING RTPI-ACCREDITED COURSES