Study urban planning abroad

Urban planning is a process that involves designing, developing, and managing towns and cities. It’s a far-reaching discipline that encompasses elements of architecture, geography, engineering and real estate.

Programs in urban planning prepare students with the theoretical and practical skills they’ll need to make built environments safe, sustainable and fit for purpose. You’ll develop your design skills, get to grips with the sector’s laws and ethics, and consider the challenges faced by today’s towns and cities.

Although textbooks are a useful learning tool, they’re no substitute for experiencing the world’s cities in person. Studying abroad will allow you to get out of your comfort zone, experience new places, and connect with global professionals. You’ll see how the design and use of urban environments varies on an international scale, giving you a deeper understanding of the field.

Bachelor’s degrees in urban planning are normally offered as a BSc and require three or four years of full-time study. The length of your program will depend on where you choose to study and whether you complete an optional 12-month industry placement.

If you opt to study as an undergraduate in the US, you’ll spend the first two years of your degree taking liberal arts classes before majoring in urban planning for the second half of the program.

If you want to extend your knowledge and specialize in a particular branch of urban planning, you may wish to enroll in a postgraduate program. Master’s degrees usually last one or two years, with PhDs taking a further four or five years on top.

You’ll be taught mainly through lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practical sessions. Some universities will also arrange urban field trips and guest presentations from professionals. Your progress will be assessed through essays, reports, design work, and projects.

The content of urban planning courses differs between universities and countries. That said, most will introduce students to these core modules:

• Urban planning and development throughout history
• Theory of urban planning
• Urban design
• Professional development and practice
• Healthy and sustainable communities
• Planning law
• City regeneration
• Transport and mobility

As the global population grows and more people migrate into towns and cities, urban planning graduates are in high demand across public and private sectors.

Your skills in planning, design, and development will help you map out a successful career in areas like housing, transport, urban regeneration, and environmental protection. Here are some of the roles you’d be ideally prepared for:

• Urban planner
• Urban designer
• Housing manager
• Transport planner
• Planning and development surveyor
• Conservation officer
• Sustainability consultant
• Landscape architect

Keeping on top of sector developments and participating in relevant work experience can give you a huge headstart in your career. Your university’s career service can direct you towards internship opportunities and help you to apply for them.