Overview
Planning is about understanding places and placemaking. This ensures that we can achieve the best social, economic and environmental outcomes. We offer a friendly and supportive environment for you to make the transition towards a career in:
- planning
- wider built environment professions
Through our high-quality research and teaching we provide you with a complete planning education. You’ll gain:
- academic core knowledge
- understanding
- skills
The course is a spatial planning conversion degree so you do not need to have studied planning before. It is for anyone with an interest in planning. The course attracts students from a range of backgrounds and nationalities.
Pathways are available in:
- conservation
- development
- global development
- green infrastructure and landscape planning
- regeneration
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
The majority of the course consists of a series of compulsory modules. They will introduce you to the core values and principles of planning. You’ll build on these throughout the rest of your studies and professional life. The main focus of these modules is the UK system complemented by international examples.
You’ll also have a choice of optional modules. These help you to develop a specialisation in planning practice informed by the latest research.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Spatial Planning PGDip modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Planning law | 10 |
| Project 1: Spatial Strategies | 20 |
| Economics of Development | 10 |
| Planning Frameworks | 10 |
| Planning and Sustainability | 10 |
| The Reflexive Practitioner (MSc version) | 10 |
| Research Design | 10 |
| Planning, Power and People | 10 |
| Community Building | 0 |
The entire optional module list is shown above. Depending on your chosen pathway, you’ll be able to select specific optional modules.
How you’ll learn
We teach the course on our Newcastle campus. You can study full time over 9 months or part time over 21 months.
As a full-time student, you’ll typically have 12 hours of taught time per week. You’ll need to allow around 28 hours of independent study per week. Contact hours and independent study times will vary depending on modules, and are subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
Part-time study consists of the same modules and options as the full-time programme. If you study part time, we timetable teaching for day release (one full day per week).
We deliver knowledge and skills through a series of lecture-based modules in semester one and two. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, teaching will typically be delivered through:
- workshops
- seminars
- tutorials
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Practical lab report
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Leading planning academics teach our modules. They are members of planning teaching staff in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Their world-leading research informs the teaching programme.
Your future
Careers
This course equips you to embark on your professional planning career. You’ll be able to apply your planning knowledge and deal with the rapidly changing context of real-world planning and problem-solving this requires.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 100 for Architecture/Built Environment – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 125 for Arts and Humanities – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
This course has spatial accreditation by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The RTPI (a professional body for planners) is the UK’s leading planning body for spatial, sustainable and inclusive planning. It is the largest planning institute in Europe with over 23,000 members.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has a range of facilities for planning students, including computer space and printing.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree. International students need a qualification equal to a 2:1 honours degree. Your degree can be in any subject, but preference is given to graduates of a related discipline such as:
- planning
- geography
- urban studies
- sociology
- history
- politics
- economics
- architecture
- law
- modern languages
Applicants who demonstrate significant knowledge and professional experience in UK town planning are welcome. We will consider your application if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and demonstrate aptitude for further study.
