Postgraduate taught  

City Planning & Real Estate Development MSc

The Masters in City Planning & Real Estate Development will prepare you for working either as a planner or real estate surveyor. You will develop an in-depth appreciation of how different stakeholders in the planning and real estate sectors make decisions about future places. Cities lie at the heart of the many challenges human societies face today, including climate change, infrastructure delivery, affordable housing, and social inequality. These challenges ensure that the professions of city planning and real estate development are in high demand around the world.

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Why this programme

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  • This programme is accredited by professional industry bodies, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Dual accreditation will significantly enhance your employment prospects in this field.
  • The philosophy of the programme is to break down the professional barriers between two built environment disciplines that make better place-based decisions when they work together.
  • The skills and knowledge this degree delivers are crucial in our rapidly changing world, particularly in the context of rapid urbanisation and climate change. 
  • Our students have excellent employment prospects with alumni working in major international planning consultancies, local and national government, and in the third sector.
  • Teaching on this programme is research-led and you will be taught by lecturers at the forefront of urban research. We maintained our top 10 position in REF2021 (Research Excellence Framework), and in our Urban Studies and Social Policy division, we advance cutting-edge and critical research agendas led by our 3 research & scholarship custers.
  • These are underpinned by ongoing funded national and international staff projects, and our two substantial research centres, which are a fundamental part of this success: the Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE), and the Urban Big Data Centre (UBDC).
  • Our teaching is strongly engaged in policy and practice. Through our research centres and staff networks we have close links to the Scottish Government, local authorities and other agencies who also contribute to teaching. We also have opportunities to network with professional practice at various points in the year.
  • This programme is rooted in place-based learning through tackling complex urban sites across Greater Glasgow. Glasgow as a city is an exciting place to study planning and real estate. It provides a rich lens to understanding how planning and real estate practice engages with urban issues. Glasgow’s economic, social and architectural history provides a fascinating dynamic context to study planning and real estate.
  • You will have the opportunity to participate in an optional field trip to London which will provide you with the insight into the complexities of city planning in a world city. Past trips have included visits to The Shard, King’s Cross, Battersea Power Station and a number of grassroots projects that focus on community development.

Programme structure

This programme allows you a greater insight into city planning and real estate. Split into three parts, you gain a grounding on the principles and practice of city planning and real estate, with a major research project or dissertation at the end.

The programme is delivered via a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars, alongside numerous field visits that use the city as an urban laboratory. Courses are assessed through a mix of continuous methods to enable you to develop a suitable balance of planning and real estate development competencies. 

Core courses

Part 1: Principles
  • Real Estate Valuation & Appraisal
  • Planning Systems & Procedures
  • Economics of Planning & Development Lab
  • Real Estate Markets
  • Property Law & Professional Ethics
Part 2: Practice
  • Applied Built Environment Research
  • Sustainable Spatial Strategies
  • Designing Resilient Places
  • Development Appraisal for Real Estate Surveyors
Part 3: Project
  • Major Research Project OR Dissertation

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

This unique programme brings together two disciplines to help you form a rounded picture of the sector and enable you to take the next step forward in your career.

Career opportunities and pathways

This jointly accredited programme offers a quicker pathway to becoming a chartered town planner, chartered surveyor, or both. Our students have excellent employment prospects, with alumni working in major international planning consultancies such as ARUP, WSP and JLL. Graduates have also gone on to work in local and national government institutions such as Glasgow City Council, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and the Scottish Government. Career paths also exist in the third sector with graduates going on to work in community development organisations such as Sustrans, a UK-based cycling, walking and wheeling charity.

Hear from a range of young planners about how they got into a public sector planning career.

Accreditation

This programme is jointly accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 

RTPI is an international professional body for town planners with members in 88 countries and maintains professional standards as the voice of the profession.

RICS is a globally recognised professional body for those working in built environment, construction, land, property, and real estate, with members in almost 150 countries. A RICS qualification is valued and understood as a global benchmark by clients and governments for integrity and professionalism. Learn more about our accredititations.

Professional development

Career support from the University of Glasgow

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

MSc

UK

  • Full-time fee: £11820
  • Part-time fee: £1314 per 20 credits

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £26580

Deposits

International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.

Deposits: terms & conditions

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

Jim Boyack Trust Award

Nankai University

GREAT Scholarships 2025

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship

Banco de Mexico

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia

Chevening Scholarship

Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes

EU Welcome Award - January 2025 Intake Only

India Merit Award

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

Alumni Discount

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

Global Leadership Scholarship

HESPAL Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)

Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)

Sanctuary Scholarships

The Dima Alhaj Scholarship

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a relevant social science or humanities subject (e.g. Urban/City/Regional Planning, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Land Economy, Land Resource Management, Real Estate, Mathematics, Business Studies, Environmental Design, Public Policy, Law, Philosophy, Politics, History, Economics, Sociology). If you are unsure whether your degree is suitable, you can email the programme convener to discuss.

We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.

You are required to complete a personal statement for entry to this programme - see link below

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses.

English language requirements

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2025

International & EU applicants

Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 22 January 2025.

Round 2 application dates: 5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.

Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 21 April 2025.

Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 19 May 2025.

Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 7 July 2025.

Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 18 August 2025.

All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

UK applicants

  • 22 August 2025
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