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Urban Planning and Regional Development (Dubai) MSc
- CampusDubaiDelivery formatIn person
- Start dateJanuary and SeptemberDuration1 year (full-time); 2 years (part-time)
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirements2:1 Honours Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
- Fees (UK/Ireland)September 2026: AED 139,173 per year (full-time) / AED 69,587 per year (part-time)
Course overview
Shape the physical, social, and economic futures of cities and regions. Rooted in global excellence and based in Dubai, this MSc equips you to lead transformative urban and regional development through strategic planning, policy, and governance.
This MSc equips you with the strategic, policy, and practical skills to shape urban and regional futures. You’ll gain expertise in planning systems, governance, and placemaking, preparing you to lead smart, sustainable, inclusive development in complex, fast-changing global and regional contexts.
Transform your future: Gain the skills to design sustainable, resilient, and culturally inspired urban spaces, blending traditional wisdom with modern innovation to lead and shape the cities of tomorrow.
This programme is accredited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Education
Course structure
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time-mode. There is also scope to undertake the programme on a part-time basis over 24 months. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each semester. This is based on a full time Masters course.
Term 1
Term 1
In the first semester, you will build a strong foundation in the theories, systems, and research skills essential for urban and regional planning. You will develop critical abilities to analyse the political, economic, and spatial dynamics that shape cities and regions.
Key modules include:
- Shaping Urban Spaces: The Politics, Theory, and Practice of Spatial Planning
- Designing Urban Systems: Sustainable, Smart, and Healthy Placemaking
- Research Methods for Urban Planners: Methods to Study People and Place
These modules are designed to equip you with the knowledge and analytical tools to address complex urban and regional challenges, with a focus on inclusive development, policy-making, and long-term spatial strategies.
Term 2
Term 2
In Semester 2, you will engage with specialised themes central to urban and regional development, focusing on the governance, socio-economic dynamics, and spatial strategies shaping cities and regions.
You will study the following modules:
- Spatial Analysis and Urban Living: Evaluating the Qualities and Quantities of Urban Spaces
- Urban Lab: City and Regional Development Plan
- Urban and Regional Dynamics: Discourse and Debates
To complement your learning, you will also participate in a one-week international residential field trip, offering practical insights into planning systems and regional strategies in a comparative global context. This immersive experience will inform and strengthen your independent research dissertation in the third semester.
Term 3
Term 3
In your final term, you will complete a dissertation or major independent research project, having developed your topic and submitted a proposal in the previous semester.
With guidance from a dedicated academic supervisor, you will:
- Conduct in-depth research on a specific issue or question within urban planning and regional development.
- Collect and analyse data, applying appropriate planning methodologies to generate critical and practical insights.
- Synthesise your findings into a well-structured dissertation that demonstrates intellectual rigour and professional relevance.
This capstone project is your opportunity to apply the specialised knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained throughout the programme - demonstrating your ability to address complex, real-world planning and regional development challenges.
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Course highlights
Join this unique and innovative programme at the University of Birmingham Dubai and immerse yourself in a city that serves as a living urban lab for design, planning, and sustainability. Situated at the crossroads of major civilizations, Dubai seamlessly blends centuries-old sustainable traditions with rapid modern development, offering unmatched opportunities to study and apply sustainable principles in real-world contexts.
Learn from world-leading academics and benefit from strong industry connections with renowned consultancies. Our workshops and teaching are enriched by the expertise of local professionals and international consultants such as AECOM, WSP, JACOBS, and Buro Happold, ensuring practical insights and cutting-edge knowledge.
Engage in impactful research supported by local government grants and gain invaluable hands-on experience through a fully funded one-week international field trip, exploring sustainable design in diverse urban settings.
- Live Urban Lab - Dubai: Study in one of the world’s fastest-growing urban regions, where smart and sustainable practices intersect with cutting-edge innovation and rapid development.
- Global Expertise: Learn from leading academics and industry professionals across the world.
- International Industry Connections: Gain practical insights from top international consultancies.
- International Field Trip: Experience a fully funded one-week trip, exploring sustainable design practices in diverse urban environments.
International Field Trip
In your second semester, you’ll embark on a one-week residential international field trip. This immersive experience allows you to design and conduct research, exploring sustainable public life and urban challenges in diverse cultural and urban contexts. Collaborate with local universities and experts, engage in hands-on research, and apply your learning in real-world settings, gaining invaluable insights to shape your understanding of global sustainable urban design. All travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the programme.
- 68th
in the QS World University Rankings 2027
Course delivery
This course is delivered through a blend of lectures, seminars, studio workshops, fieldwork, and real-world projects. The course blends theoretical foundations with practical experience, providing hands-on learning to tackle contemporary urban and regional development challenges.
Lecture
Tutorial
Seminar
Workshop
Projects
Practical assignments
Taught Modules: Learn through engaging lectures, interactive seminars, site visits, lab classes, and design studio sessions to develop both theoretical and practical skills.
Urban Lab Consultancy Approach: Collaborate on real-world projects in a consultancy-style setting, tackling urban challenges and proposing sustainable design solutions.
Masterclasses: Gain professional insights by working with government agencies, local authorities, and international consultants in interactive workshops and masterclasses.
Fieldwork: Apply your learning in real-world contexts through hands-on fieldwork, site analysis, and practical research activities.
Dubai, Your Living Urban Laboratory
Experience Dubai as your living urban lab, where every aspect of your learning emphasizes real-world applications. All assessments are rooted in authentic scenarios, leveraging living case studies to enhance your understanding and develop practical skills that employers value.You’ll benefit from insights and expertise shared by professionals from local and international consultancies, government agencies, local authorities, and leading practices.
Assessments
Demonstrate your skills through essays, presentations, case study and government style reports, urban design plans and poster presentation, and an extended research project, all based on real-world challenges. No exam is included.
Timetable
The full-time timetable is designed to deliver teaching on one or three evenings from 18:00 - 21:00 Monday - Wednesday (day varies per module). The part-time timetable allows for study during these hours as per the number of modules you choose to study.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The course follows a 180-credit modular system: 120 credits from taught modules and 60 from a dissertation. There are no exams, assessment is through essays, reports, research projects, presentations, and practical skill development, ensuring applied, real-world learning throughout the programme.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Designing Urban Systems: Sustainable, Smart and Healthy Placemaking | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Dissertation | 60 | Semester 2 |
| Research Skills for Urban Planners: Methods to Study People and Place | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Spatial Analysis and Urban Living: Evaluating the Qualities and Quantities of Urban Spaces | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Urban Lab: City and Regional Development Plan | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Urban and Regional Dynamics: Discourse and Debates | 20 | Semester 2 |
Teaching staff
Dr Mohammad Radfar
Associate Professor of Sustainable Urban Design and Planning
Dr Mohammad Radfar is an urban designer and planner with expertise in landscape architecture and environmental planning.
Entry requirements
To secure your place at the University of Birmingham Dubai, you must meet both our general entry requirements and the specific criteria for your chosen course. Your application will be carefully reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will determine if you will receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree (or above) in a related subject.
There is a possibility of entry with a 2:2, or equivalent, with sufficient professional experience to compensate for a lower academic qualification. You will need to show that you have acquired skills and insights to contribute to and benefit from the MSc programme effectively.
Relevant experience should ideally be in fields related to urban design and planning, such as work in urban development, environmental planning, public policy, transportation planning, or community development. Experience in architectural firms, public planning departments, real estate development companies, or non-profit organisations focused on urban or regional planning can also be considered. This work experience should demonstrate practical skills and a foundational understanding of urban design and planning issues, regulations, and practices that align with the core principles of sustainable urban design and planning.
English language requirements
To study at the University, you must be able to demonstrate a good level of written and spoken English. Many applicants do this by submitting a recent IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE result, or by completing a Presessional English course.
The level of English language proficiency required varies depending on your level of study and subject area.
You can view the full English language requirements, including accepted tests and required scores, on our entry requirements page for the Dubai campus.
International entry requirements
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation.
- September 2026 139,173 AED (full-time)
- September 2026 69,587 AED (part-time)
Scholarships
Birmingham attracts the best and brightest students from across the globe. For students with the potential to thrive here, we have a number of scholarships available at our Dubai campus.
Application process
Please note: Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are now closed. Information about September 2027 entry and application details will be available at a later date.
Career opportunities
Kickstart Your Career in Urban Planning. Make a lasting impact on the environmental and sustainability challenges facing urban areas. Our graduates are highly sought after by major employers, with 100% securing employment within six months. Many have advanced their careers in diverse industries across the UAE, USA, Australia, and beyond.
Graduate career destinations Include:
- Local architectural and urban planning firms
- The Road and Transport Authority
- Government ministries
- Public sector roles
- Urban development firms
- Consultants (e.g., AECOM, WSP, AESG)
- Global organisations (e.g., United Nations, World Bank)
This degree unlocks a world of impactful and meaningful career opportunities in urban planning and development.
I truly enjoyed my time here studying my urban planning course. It gave me plenty of opportunities to learn from everyone with diverse backgrounds. The learning environment was so healthy and supportive, and all of us felt safe discussing, asking any questions, and sharing our experiences from different perspectives.
Careers Network
In a competitive global market, you need to be ready for work before you graduate. At the University of Birmingham Dubai, our careers services will help you plan and achieve your ambitions. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network Dubai information, advice, and guidance service offers support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life at our Dubai campus.
Our state-of-the-art Dubai campus, with its iconic buildings overlooking stunning parkland and friendly community, will quickly make you feel at home in the UAE's second city. Expect plenty of exciting activities to get involved in outside of your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to the University of Birmingham Dubai to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation partners allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming, and sociable surroundings.
Living in Dubai
Enrich your life with endless attractions, entertainment and lifestyle opportunities. In just over 50 years, Dubai has transformed itself from a tiny settlement to a glistening city and world-class destination. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our state-of-the-art Dubai campus is where our diverse community comes together, providing a home for up to 3,000 students to learn, relax, and socialise.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our Dubai campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.