Programme Specification
MPlan (Hons) Urban Planning
Academic Year: 2020/21
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.
This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.
This specification should be read in conjunction with:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
| Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
| Teaching institution (if different) | |
| Owning school/department | School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering |
| Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | |
| Final award | MPlan (Hons) or MPlan (Hons) with DIS |
| Programme title | Urban Planning |
| Programme code | CVUM03 |
| Length of programme | The duration of the programme is either 8 semesters or 10 semesters if students undertake industrial training leading to the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) which normally occurs between Part B and Part C. |
| UCAS code | K421, K420 |
| Admissions criteria | |
| Date at which the programme specification was published | Mon, 06 Jul 2020 16:33:06 BST |
1. Programme Aims
- To provide a broad and well-balanced degree programme that develops students’ knowledge, understanding and practical skills in the mediation of space and the making of place including the study of a specialist area of planning.
- To prepare students for professional practice in the field of planning or related fields by offering students a degree programme that is aligned with the requirements of Royal Town Planning Institute and informed by professional experience.
- To produce planning graduates with strong leadership skills who are equipped to play a leading role in industry, with potential to take responsibility for innovation and change.
- To develop students with advanced analytical techniques which can be utilised in the realisation of digital and data informed planning.
- To provide a high quality interdisciplinary educational experience that develops independent and reflective individuals who are able to effectively manage their own personal development.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
The following Intended Learning Outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:
- The Learning Outcomes and Principles in the Royal Town Planning Institute Policy Statement on Initial Planning Education, 2012;
- The Quality Assurance Agency Subject Specific Benchmark Statement for Town and Country Planning;
- Liaison and consultation with professional planners and key stakeholders
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
K1. The theoretical role and purpose of planning in economic and social development;
K2. The political, legal and institutional frameworks within which planning and development takes place;
K3. The ethical and moral responsibilities of planners to wider society in the UK and internationally;
K4. The role of effective planning in the wider context of the development of the built environment;
K5. Processes of socio-economic change and their inter-relationship with planning decisions in various contexts;
K6. Environmental and ecological processes which may impact land use, and the role of planning in addressing key environmental challenges such as climate change and the use of resources;
K7. Theories and principles that underpin planning, their evolution and impacts on the urban environment;
K8. The impact of technological change and new digital technologies on informing and delivering effective planning;
K9. The inter-relationships between different stakeholders, agencies and institutions that are involved or affected by the processes and procedures of planning and development; and
K10. A specialist area of planning and the ability to lead on the development of this planning specialism within projects.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
C1. Abstract and synthesise interdisciplinary knowledge from a broad spectrum of areas within an urban development framework;
C2. Evaluate plans and development proposals within the framework of relevant national, regional and local policies, and with respect of societal challenges including sustainability;
C3. Defend and present arguments in respect of spatial plans and policies appreciating different theoretical approaches and social, environmental, economic and political contexts;
C4. Demonstrate a creative approach with consideration of design aesthetics and connection with the natural environment and social setting;
C5. Identify appropriate methods to collect and evaluate information and data, including new digital sources, to aid effective spatial planning and evidence-based decisions; and
C6. Formulate large-scale planning proposals through thorough interrogation to exploit a site’s potential with respect of the social-environmental-economic nexus.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
P1. Prepare plans and formulate policies with a spatial orientation at different scales and within differing contexts;
P2. Analyse different spatial contexts with respect of social, economic, environmental and physical factors;
P3. Formulate and present informed judgements to support a position and to demonstrate negotiation and mediation between stakeholders;
P4. Recognise and critically debate moral and ethical issues pertinent to spatial planning both in the UK and other contexts;
P5. Develop and undertake an original piece of spatial planning related research;
P6. Apply knowledge and skills in a professional environment through a 45-week period of work experience (DIS programme only); and
P7. Utilise advanced quantitative analytical techniques to aid data driven and digital informed planning.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
T1. Communicate complex arguments to a range of audiences verbally, visually and in written form using a range of media;
T2. Manage time and limited resources to undertake projects within defined parameters;
T3. Work independently and within multidisciplinary groups;
T4. Gather and manage both quantitative and qualitative data;
T5. Undertake self-reflection and be aware of how their personal values may influence decisions and actions; and
T6. Solve problems through effective collaboration.
T7. Adopt a reflective approach to their own learning and professional development from which to monitor, plan and evidence personal and career development, and maintain professional competence.
4. Programme structure
4.1 Part A
Introductory Modules
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Modules (120 Credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
CVA101 |
Professional Skills (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
CVA121 |
Principles of Law and Economics for the Built Environment (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
CVA129 |
Professional Practice in Urban Planning (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
CVA130 |
Design Skills and Urban Data Analytics (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
CVA131 |
Challenges and Processes in Urban Planning (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
CVA132 |
Principles of Urban Planning (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
4.2 Part B
Degree Modules
Compulsory Modules (100 Credits)
Semester 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPB02 |
Research and Digital Skills for Planning (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
UPB03 |
Urban Planning and the Environment (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20
|
|
UPB04 |
Design and Place Making (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
GYB201 |
Remote Sensing and GIS (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
GYB110 |
Sustainable Urban Geographies |
10 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPB01 |
Urban Economics |
10 |
Optional Modules (Students should select modules totalling 20 credits)
Semester 1 and 2
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
NCVB006 |
Management Finance & Risk (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
NCVB007 |
Planning Estimating, Cost Monitoring & Control (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
Language |
Language modules (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
The language modules are subject to approval by the Year Tutor following discussion with the Programme Director. Semester 2 language module must be a progression from Semester 1.
4.3 Part C
Degree Modules
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Modules (110 Credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
NCVC007 |
Research Dissertation (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 20 credits) |
30 |
|
UPC01 |
Urban Mobility (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
UPC02 |
Future Cities (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
UPC03 |
Advanced Planning Theory (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
|
UPC04 |
Planning Law, Policy and Governance (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 10 credits) |
20 |
Semester 1
Compulsory modules (10 credits)
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
NCVC003 |
Teamwork and Leadership |
10 |
4.4 Part D
Degree Modules
Compulsory Modules (60 Credits)
Semester 1 + 2
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPD02 |
Applied Urban Planning Project |
30 |
Semester 1
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPD01 |
Modelling and Analysis for Urban Planning |
15 |
Semester 2
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPD03 |
Smart Cities |
15 |
Semester 1 and 2
Optional Modules Students must choose 60 credits from the following three sets of modules:
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
UPD04 |
Transport Systems and Development (Sem 1) |
15 |
|
UPD05 |
Transport Planning (Sem 2) |
15 |
Or,
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
NCP001 |
Introduction to Infrastructure Systems (Sem 1) |
15 |
|
UPD06 |
Infrastructure Planning (Sem 2) |
15 |
Or,
|
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
|
GYP012 |
Cities in Globalisation |
30 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from Part C to D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours Degree, Candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.
5.2 Candidates cannot progress from Part B to the DIS year until Part B progression requirements have been met.
5.3 Any Candidate who fails to progress from Parts A or B may transfer to the appropriate Part of the BSc programme in Urban Planning before or after re-assessment, provided that the Candidate has satisfied the progression requirements for that programme.
5.4 Any Candidate who fails to progress from Part C may, at the discretion of the Examiners and subject to completion of an individual Research Project/Dissertation or equivalent, be awarded a BSc in Urban Planning with a classification based on the Candidate’s performance in relevant Part B and C modules, using modules and weightings appropriate to the BSc Programme.
5.5 Any Candidate who fails to qualify for the award of the Integrated Masters Degree in Part D may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a BSc in Urban Planning with a classification based on the Candidate’s performance in Parts B and C together with the individual research project (CVC007) using modular weightings appropriate to the BSc programme.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level module assessments in Parts B and D. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 20: Part C 40 : Part D 40 to determine the final percentage mark.
