This section contains information on a career in planning and studying planning at university. It provides helpful information for young people you are working with who are interested in finding out more about planning and planners.

A career in planning

Do you want to shape the way our cities, towns and villages are developed and built? Do you want to have a role in preserving biodiversity and safeguarding our architectural heritage? Do you want to shape policies to combat global warming? Do you want to help create self-sufficient communities and shrink our ecological footprint? If you can say yes to even one of these questions then consider a career in planning.

The RTPI is a dynamic organisation leading the way in the creation of places that work now and in the future. We understand that just as people develop places, so places develop people. We are committed to the enhancement of our natural and human environment, using spatial planning to manage competing pressures on our built environments and the very real effects on our space. Through our members, we constantly seek to create areas and places in which people want to live and work.

As well as promoting spatial planning, RTPI develops and shapes policy affecting the built environment, works to raise professional standards and supports members through continuous education, training and development. The RTPI is the largest professional institute for planners worldwide, with over 20,000 members.

Planners are everywhere!

Traditionally, local authorities (city, district and county councils) in England, Scotland and Wales have been the employers of choice for planners in the UK and continue to be the destination for many newly-qualified professionals. RTPI Chartered Town Planners work in local authorities who are also responsible for producing local plans and development frameworks that take into account community involvement and sustainability in the local spatial planning process and for implementing national policies on development. In Northern Ireland, the Planning Service of the Department for the Environment performs similar functions to local authorities in other UK nations. The online directory at http://www.theplanningdirectory.co.uk/ lists local authorities with their contact details.
Planners also have a role to play in the work of campaigning organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Campaign to Protect Rural England and charities such as the National Trust and environmental and community groups involved in engaging local people and ensuring that their aspirations are respected in the planning process. Planners employed by the public and private sectors can also volunteer their services to individuals, community groups and charities who cannot afford to hire planning consultants. This may be through Planning Aid (http://www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk/) the charity providing free and independent advice and support on planning issues to people and communities in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The RTPI has more than 20,000 members in the UK, Ireland and overseas. Chartered Town Planners are professionals who hold corporate membership of the RTPI. We also have a number of non-corporate classes suitable for planners who can demonstrate a certain level of achievement within a particular area of planning or who are working towards gaining chartered status.

If you would like to join the RTPI log on to www.rtpi.org.uk

Studying Planning at University

To become a member of the RTPI you need an accredited degree to work towards becoming 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.

The RTPI currently accredits planning courses throughout the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong. These accredited combined programmes meet the RTPI's academic requirements for Chartered Membership. A combined programme offers students a good background in spatial planning as well as knowledge of a specialist area in planning. 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. If you already have a degree you can take an accredited combined one-year intensive Masters course.

A complete list of RTPI-accredited courses is available on the RTPI’s website at www.rtpi.org.uk.

Choosing the right planning course

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 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.

Visit www.rtpi.org.uk for further information on planning courses and what planners do.

Author:

Jacqui Ward

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

11-Jun-07

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