Joint Distance Learning MA In Town And Country Planning

This is a flexibly organised distance learning course which enables you to gain a qualification fully recognised by the UK's Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

What does the course cover?

The course is structured as follows:

There are three planning courses which focus on the principles relating to the making of place and mediation of space.

  • Planning 1: Context and Procedures (introduction to the basics of town and country planning).
  • Planning 2: Spatial Planning (covering a range of town planning skills and methods).
  • Planning 3 : Specialist Focus (critical in-depth evaluation of major planning issues). This includes study of an Open University specialism and a Dissertation.  

The Planning courses run from January to October.

Below are the syllabi for each module.

Syllabi for each module

How long does it take?

For a graduate the whole course normally takes three years, or for a non-graduate seven years. You can take a break and start again in a future year. During your study period you will spend around 15 hours per week on home-based study, giving a total study time of 600 hours per course. This includes completion of coursework, revision for exams, and attendance at a Summer School in Courses 1 and 2.

What if I have other requirements?

Modified courses exist for those who are:

  • Working as a planner in Europe but without a recognised planning qualification (the Adaptation Mechanism is an individually tailored programme for RTPI membership).
  • Working in a related activity but wish to know more about planning (the Certificate in UK Planning Law and Practice).
  • Qualified planners seeking Continuing Professional Development (you can purchase individual modules of the course for CPD).

Is this course for me?

Yes if you want to qualify as a town planner but are:

  • Living outside the UK.
  • Living in a remote location.
  • Unable to allow time for conventional study.

How does it work?

Teaching is largely via specially written user-friendly course materials that are sent to you. These are designed to allow flexible student-centred learning and are regularly updated, providing an invaluable source of reference on all aspects of town and country planning. They incorporate self-assessed elements so you can chart your own progress, as well as coursework that you complete at your own pace and send to us for assessment and feedback.

Do I need qualifications or experience?

No. The course applies the Open University (OU) model of wider access, and OU courses are incorporated to allow non-graduates to accumulate the credits needed to progress to the postgraduate MA.  To enter the graduate route you need to possess a degree in a planning-related subject, or a degree in another subject plus one year's planning-related experience. 

How can I find out more?

More information is available in the Summary Guide 2011. If you wish to apply for the JDL MA course, contact the Bristol centre. If you are interested in the other modified course options, contact the Leeds centre. Alternatively contact your local UK course centre:

Bristol: University of the West of England
John Allinson
Tel 0117 32 83517
e-mail John.Allinson@uwe.ac.uk

Leeds: Leeds Metropolitan University
Harvey Pritchard
Tel 0113 8123222
e-mail h.pritchard@leedsmet.ac.uk

London: South Bank University
Phil Pinch
Tel 020 7815 7349
e-mail pinchpl@lsbu.ac.uk

Dundee: University of Dundee
Dumiso Moyo
Tel 01382 385240
e-mail d.moyo@dundee.ac.uk