City Planning MSc
The Masters in City Planning will help you develop a critical understanding of cities. You will explore the positive impact that evidence-based and innovative decision-making can have on human settlements. 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 professional city planners around the world are in high demand. You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to enter the planning profession and become sustainable place makers of the future.
- Academic contact:
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time: up to 60 months on modular basis
Why this programme
- This programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It has been developed in close consultation with the relevant professional and policy communities, and is intended to provide an intensive fast-track entry to a professional career in planning.
- You will have the opportunity to specialise through a choice of course pathways:
- Housing
- Transport
- Energy & the Environment
- Place & Design
- Digital Cities
- 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 clusters.
- 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. It provides a rich lens to understanding how planning engages with urban issues. Glasgow’s economic, social and architectural history provides a fascinating dynamic context to study planning.
- 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.
- Watch: City Planning programme overview
Programme structure
This programme offers the essentials in city planning whilst encouraging you to choose a specialist pathway focused on six key areas:
- Housing Pathway
- Place & Design Pathway
- Transport Pathway
- Energy & the Environment Pathway
- Digital Cities Pathway
Core courses in both semesters will help you develop foundational knowledge of planning and urban theory and the principles of professional planning practice. By the end of semester 1, you will start to develop core spatial planning skills and continue to do so as you specialise in your chosen pathway and undertake a research dissertation or project. The programme is delivered via a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars, alongside numerous field visits that use the city as an urban laboratory.
Core courses
Part 1: Principles
- Economics of Planning and Development Lab
- Integrative City Planning Lab
- Planning Systems and Procedures
- Planning Theory and Values
Part 2: Practice
Part 3: Project
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Projects and dissertations
The major project option is new to the Real Estate programme in 2025-26 and reflects the outcome of a detailed consultation process with external academics and employers, designed to make the learning objectives across the programme are as up to date and relevant as possible for students entering the profession.
In selecting the major project option instead of the traditional academic dissertation, you will consider a research issue directly relating to existing real estate practice. Having identified appropriate research questions, you will develop, utilising relevant theoretical sources wherever required, a practical, response to the challenge you have identified. It is also our intention to develop and offer a limited number of direct projects in collaboration with relevant employers.
In addition, students in the School of Social and Political Sciences are able to conduct collaborative dissertations, with agreement from the College Employability team.
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Pathways
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Housing Pathway
This pathway highlights the close relationship between wider economic and societal issues, planning policy and housing, giving you an understanding of how state and market interact through policies for land and housing to address housing need and demand.
Optional courses
- Housing, Inequality and Society
- International Housing Policy
- Sustainable Housing Development (10 Credits)
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Place & Design Pathway
This pathway will help you develop your understanding and appreciation for well-designed places and how particular principles and methods can be used to create more sustainable and functional places.
Optional courses
- Community Engagement and Empowerment
- Design Governance
- Place Adaptation and Green Infrastructure
- Urban Conservation
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Transport Pathway
This pathway examines the interface of city planning and sustainable transport development. You will be introduced to techniques and concepts in transport studies, and learn how these interact with policies for sustainable urban development.
Core course
Optional courses
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Energy & the Environment Pathway
This pathway enables you to understand emerging trends in the current transitions to net zero and just environments in the built environment such as planning for renewable energy, retrofitting housing and neighbourhoods, and planning blue-green infrastructure.
Optional courses
- Place Adaptation and Green Infrastructure
- Sustainable Energy Landcapes
- Sustainable Housing Development (10 Credits)
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Digital Cities Pathway
This pathway helps you understand and evaluate the digitisation of planning processes and the vast growth in urban big data that are providing radical new insights into how cities are changing and evolving in the face of rapid socio-technological transitions.
Optional courses
- Big Data, AI & Urban Analytics
- Digital Planning Systems and Tools
- Fundamentals of GIS for Planning, Property, and Policy (10 credits)
- Smart Cities and Infrastructure
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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 programme will help develop your career as a chartered town planner, giving you an understanding of planning frameworks internationally in an increasingly urbanised world.
Career opportunities and pathways
The programme offers a pathway to becoming a chartered town planner. Graduates have gone on to work for major international planning consultancies such as ARUP, WSP and JLL. There are opportunities in the public sector, with graduates going on to work in both local and national government such as Glasgow City Council, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and the Scottish Government. Some students also enter the third sector with careers 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 is an accredited programme endorsed by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). RTPI is an international professional body for town planners with members in 88 countries. RTPI maintains professional standards as the voice of the town planning profession. Learn more about our accreditations.
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Professional development
Throughout the programme you will learn from industry practitioners and take your learning into the field. Experiential learning is a core part of the programme with teaching delivered through walking tours, site visits and field trips. You can participate in an optional, self-funded field visit to London where the agenda includes meeting with public and private sector planners and community groups.
As a student you will benefit from the close links held through our research centres and staff networks with the Scottish Government, local authorities and other agencies who contribute to teaching. A number of guest lectures are delivered across the programme from figures in planning and real estate sectors. You can also network with professional practice at various points throughout the year. You will also have access to the digital model of Glasgow in VU.CITY, a 3D modelling and data software which is widely used across the sector, helping to build skillsets and software familiarity.
You may be able to undertake a collaborative dissertation with an external organisation, helping to solve a real-world problem with learned knowledge from our programme.
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Career support from the University of Glasgow
As a postgraduate student at the University of Glasgow you will have access to our Careers, Employability & Opportunity service. This service offers students the opportunity to network through organised events, help with finding employment, internships and work experience, and career development masterclasses.
Learn more about Careers, Employability & Opportunity
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Hear from our alumni
“As a part-time student, I completed City Planning MSc at the University of Glasgow across two years whilst working full-time, with classes held online and in-person. Knowledgeable and engaged staff from a range of backgrounds led modules which covered policy, theory and design. One of the aspects of the programme I really enjoyed was responding to real life problems in Glasgow, which were often used as a basis for learning and helped students to understand the practical applications of urban planning and design.
Having previously been in a third sector community development organisation, studying on this programme had originally been a form of CPD, intended to help me better understand and execute my role, but I really enjoyed my studies and following graduation I had an opportunity to join Kevin Murray Associates, an award winning Glasgow-based consultancy operating across planning, regeneration and urban design. I am now working on a diverse range of projects across the UK, from community planning through to local authority led masterplans.” — Gregor Henderson, City Planning MSc graduate
“The City Planning MSc at the University of Glasgow was a joyful and engaging learning experience which allowed me to get an insight of the different fields that the planning profession can offer. The College of Social Sciences was extremely valuable to my final dissertation. They helped me take on a collaborative dissertation and I was introduced to policy planners from Glasgow City Council. I am currently working in the planning department of Glasgow City Council and I feel that the place-based knowledge and practical skills gained during the programme have been valuable resources for my role.” — Constance Damiani, City Planning MSc graduate
Read more about Constance's experience of undertaking a collaborative dissertation with Glasgow City Council.
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Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2026-27
MSc
Home & RUK
- Full-time fee: £11,943
- Part-time fee: £1,327 per 20 credits
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £27,720
Fee status
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2,000 when an offer is made.
Deposits: terms & conditions
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% administration fee will be deducted unless otherwise stated.
a: Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place on the programme as specified on the offer. A full refund will be issued in this case.
- Death of a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- SERIOUS ill health of the applicant or a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- Applicant does not meet conditions of offer. This may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide at least two language tests which were taken after the date the deposit was paid).
- Visa / ATAS refusal: we will only consider a refund if the visa / ATAS refusal was based on matters outside of the applicant’s control.
- If a refund request is received within 14 days of the deposit being received a full refund will be issued under the Consumer Protection Regulations.
b: Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- An applicant decides not to attend the University for any reason not outlined above.
- Personal financial constraints / unsuccessful scholarship application.
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and hold it against the applicant’s account to secure their place for the following year of entry. You may defer twice. After the second deferral standard conditions will apply.
- There is still time to meet the English language test requirement before the final upload date. Please see section a) 4.
- Visa / ATAS was applied for too late. Please see section a) 5.
- Any documents used for admission are proven to be fraudulent. We work in partnership with Qualification Check to check academic qualifications. English language qualifications are verified with the provider.
- The refund request is received more than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email.
Timeframe for requesting a refund
Refund requests must be received no later than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email. As per section b)7 above the request will be denied.
Receiving a refund
- To comply with Money Laundering Regulations, the University will pay all refunds to the original payer using the source payment details. This is known as a “return to source” payment.
- All appropriate documentation and evidence relating to the original payment must be provided, when requested.
- All payments and refunds are in GBP currency - the University is not responsible for any exchange rate fluctuations or beneficiary bank charges associated with the refund.
- Where University approved payment methods have not been used, this may cause significant delays or prevent payment altogether.
- We will aim to issue the deposit refund within 8 weeks of receipt of information per point 2 above. At peak times this may be longer.
How to request a deposit refund
Please go to our enquiry form and select 'Fees and Deposit' as the enquiry reason and then 'Can I have a deposit refund?'.
Please upload all supporting documentation to your applicant self-service portal before submitting the above request.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Entry requirements
2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in a relevant Social Science or Humanities subject.
We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.
We may accept relevant work experience for those who have been out of study for some time, or those from a non-cognate discipline. Please upload a CV.
If your qualification is below 2:1 or in a subject not listed above, you are required to complete a question-based personal statement explaining why you want to undertake this programme at Glasgow - 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
For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:
TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)
Tests taken up to 20 January 2026
- 93 Overall, Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 23; Writing 24
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 94 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 23; Listening 23; Speaking 24; Writing 24
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.
Pearsons PTE Academic
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 62; Listening 62; Speaking 75; Writing 68
- Online PTE not accepted for entry
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 7
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 70
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.5
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- No subtest less than 96
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Kaplan Test of English
- No subtest less than 480
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
- Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
More information on our Pre-sessional courses.
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- ST Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 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
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
Application deadlines for 2027 entry will be published in due course. Please check back later.
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