Details
Urban and regional planning lies at the heart of the major challenges that face existing and future generations. Decisions that are taken today can have a major impact on what happens to our towns and cities in the future, so it is important that we get those decisions right. Only by having an in-depth understanding of the way our towns and cities work can we hope to make informed decisions about the future of the built environment.
This unique degree course attempts to build this understanding by drawing on the academic strengths of one of the largest and most prestigious Geography departments in the UK, and the research and international reputation of the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (CURS) here at Birmingham. Based in the great planning laboratory that is Birmingham, you will be able to exploit fully the huge wealth of case study material available on your doorstep whilst interpreting these experiences in an international context. This will hopefully bring to life the issues you are studying and set them in a real world context.
The programme has been specifically designed to enable you to develop a sound understanding of the challenges facing our towns and cities and how we deal with these.
Why study this course
All planning degrees benefit from CURS’ international teaching and research reputation. CURS’ research, consultancy and professional development links with a wide range of public, private and community organisations ensure our teaching is relevant, at the cutting-edge and research-led.
Modules
The degree programme has been designed to combine study in both geography and planning to ensure that you develop a strong foundation and an appreciation of how to use this knowledge to make decisions about the built environment. There are extremely close synergies between the two subjects, planning is really an applied form of human geography. It offers a combination of both core and optional modules that will enable you to concentrate on issues and themes that are of particular interest to you.
Year 1
On the Geography side you will study both human and physical geography modules, participate in a domestic field trip and undertake some GIS mapping. On the planning side you will study the history and evolution of planning, explore how planning operates in the contemporary context and examine the socio-economic nature of cities and how they have changed. There is an emphasis in the modules on developing applied skills through fieldwork, tutorials and project work.
In the first year students take 120 credits over eight compulsory modules:
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Contemporary Human Geography (20 credits)
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Earth and Ecological Systems (20 credits)
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Tutorial and Field Techniques (20 credits)
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The Planning of the Built Environment (20 credits)
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Society, Space and Policy (10 credits)
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Economy, Space and Policy (10 credits)
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Planning Tutorial (10 credits)
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Mapping the Midlands (10 credits)
Year 2
The second year builds upon the knowledge acquired in the first year with a combination of both core and optional modules. The programme is designed to enable you to choose from a range of optional modules in order to tailor the degree to your own interests.
There is a focus in the second year of preparing students for their dissertation in the third year – so there is work on research methods and techniques. A European planning field course, is an important part of the programme in this year. This is led by the planning staff in the department and provides the opportunity to explore planning and regeneration issues in another location to provide a comparator to the UK experience. Past locations for this field trip have included visits to Lyon, Marseilles and Rotterdam. This involves a week-long intensive period of study in the field that involves visit to key planning and regeneration projects in the city concerned. There is a UK based alternative field trip for those who are not able to travel abroad.
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Core Modules
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Optional (to include modules such as)
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Research Methods for Dissertations (20 credits)
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Social and Political Geography (20 credits)
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Statistical Methods for Geographers (10 credits)
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Cultural Geography (20 credits)
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (10 credits)
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Ecological Systems (20 credits)
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Techniques and Fieldwork (20 credits)
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Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
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Urban and Regional Economy (20 credits)
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Understanding Neighbourhood Poverty (20 credits)
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Year 3
In the third year you select specialised modules related to your areas of interest, and also undertake dissertation supervised by a member of staff, in which you are free to design, implement and analyse a research project of your own choosing.
The final year of study is designed to be fully flexible and allow for the development of individual interests.
Fees and funding
Entry requirements
Number of A levels required: 3
Typical offer: ABB
Required subjects and grades: A Level Geography grade A. Grade C in each of GCSE English and Maths.
General Studies: We do not accept General Studies, Critical Thinking, Citizenship Studies, or World Development.
Additional information:
International students:
International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34 points with 6 in HL Geography and two other HL subjects with 5 points in each. Minimum of 5 in SL English and Maths if not offered at GCSE or equivalent.
Learn more about international entry requirements
Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in the Birmingham Foundation Academy, a specially structured programme for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on the foundation academy web pages.
How to apply
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