Master of Science in Urban & Regional Planning

Overview

Urban and regional planning plays a key role in the sustainable development of regions. Spatial planning makes an essential contribution to the balanced layout of (re) vitalisation of both urban and rural areas.  

The MSc Course at Saxion has a clear focus towards sustainable planning, taking into account social-cultural, natural and economic issues in the spatial arrangements. Interactive planning means an input of the various stakeholders during the whole planning process. Strategic planning means an eye on the long-term possibilities and effects.  

The Netherlands has a long history in planning in densely populated and water-effected areas. This makes our programme focused towards multifunctional intensive land use, not only within a European setting, but also from an international perspective. Our students come from all over the world, share experiences and become friends for life. Our student centred learning approach and stung focus on interdisciplinarity will help students to become successful professionals in the field of urban regional planning.

This course offers you the opportunity to play a role in the improvement of the quality of life. Our graduates found jobs as spatial planners in governmental organisations or in research programmes, work for NGO’s or consultancy firms. The Saxion staff can provide you more details about the programme.

Please note: Students who successfully complete their studies obtain the MSc title in Urban & Regional Planning awarded by the University of Greenwich, as well as a Professional Masters degree from Saxion University, validated by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditations Organisation (NVAO).

Course content

The Course in Urban & Regional Planning and Development contains five units with 180 UK credits or 75 ECTS

• Problem solving in an interdisciplinary setting (22 credits)
  • working in an interdisciplinary project group

• Management and cultural awareness (22 credits)
  • stakeholders management and project management, including training in presentation and negotiation

• Specialization in Urban and Regional Planning (54 credits)
  • lectures and workshops on related subjects and assignment to practice academic literature search (research training project)

• Research Methodology (22 credits)
  • lectures and worskhops on research methods and techniques and academic reporting

• Research Project (60 credits),
  • the student conducts a research on a current problem in the field of his/her specialization. Students will be encouraged to perform their research abroad.

Aims of the programme
Urban and Regional Planning and Development is also known as ‘Town and Country Planning’, ‘Regional Planning’, ‘Environmental Planning’, ‘Land Use Planning’, and ‘Physical Planning’. This form of planning is increasingly influenced by international developments and policies.

The Urban and Regional Planner in Europe and elsewhere in the world, focusing on policy, research or design and working in the private or (semi-) public sector, has to deal with policymakers, finances, social networks, physical relations, etc. Not only at an international and regional level, but also more and more at a local level there is an emerging need for Urban and Regional Planners who are trained in thinking and working in an interdisciplinary and international perspective.

This means that there is a growing lack of academically educated Urban and Regional planners, who are able to undertake analytic and design activities on not only local to national scale, but also within a broader international dimension.

A field trip to the UK, London - Thames - Medway, is an integral part of the programme.

Please be aware that this programme is more than 12 months. For the additional 13th month you will have to take additional costst of housing, insurance and residence permit, into account.

Specific requirements

You can find general entry requirements to this course here. Besides these general requirements, you must meet the following requirements:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in a related field of study;
• TOEFL 550, IELTS 6,0 or similar English language qualification.

The students’ qualifications will be assessed during an intake interview or by assessment of a Curriculum Vitae and a letter of motivation.

Career prospects

A graduate from the Master of Science programme Urban and Regional Planning and Development may work at government agencies, consultancy companies, research institutes and other non-governmental organizations dealing with (international) spatial planning issues in both urban and rural areas.