Ranking
6th
In the UK for Planning
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Course overview
Address critical societal challenges, from urban regeneration to sustainable development, with the unique opportunity to spend a year abroad. This experience will empower you to shape the future of cities and regions, fostering healthier, fairer, and more sustainable environments. Through our Urban and Regional Planning course, you'll gain the skills to design better communities, tackle issues like climate change and inequality, and create spaces that benefit everyone. Enhance your learning with international experience, choosing from a diverse range of exchange partners to broaden your perspective on urban and regional planning.
Urban and regional planning will shape your future by giving you the skills to design better cities and communities. You will be tackling issues like climate change and inequality to help create spaces that are more sustainable for everyone.
Study one of our Planning undergraduate degrees at the University of Birmingham
Two of our students, Isabella Gerrelli and Wing Wong, talk about why they chose to study Geography and Urban and Regional Planning at Birmingham, and what they love most about it.
The course has given me a range of academic and transferable skills and what I’ve found most enjoyable are certainly the practical elements of the course. Working with practitioners and real-life planning and development projects has really allowed me to use the skills I have learnt and be able to visualise a career in planning.
Join our four-year programme consisting of taught and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in a number of ways.
Year 1
Year 1
In year 1, you will study issues crucial to the shape of the world and explore the role of urban planning in managing processes of urban development. There are fieldtrips both locally in Birmingham, and to Rotterdam.
Year 2
Year 2
In year 2, you will learn specialist skills and techniques for planning practice, gain deeper knowledge in your chosen subject areas, and develop a research proposal for your final-year dissertation. Advanced fieldwork training is offered through courses in European centres.
Year 3
Year 3
Year of study Abroad
Final Year
Final Year
In your final year, you will apply advanced knowledge and practical skills to address real-life urban challenges and scenarios in Birmingham. You'll also conduct independent research, and be able to choose from a range of optional modules to shape your learning journey.
Why Study Planning at Birmingham?
- 6th
in the UK for Town & Country Planning and Landscape Design
Complete University Guide 2026
- 12th
in the UK for Geography & Environmental Science
The Complete University Guide 2025
- Top 5
in the UK for teaching
NSS 2025
This programme mixes theory with hands-on experience of urban projects and field trips. You’ll develop a creative, problem-solving mindset to tackle global issues and find local solutions. With a focus on both academic study and real-world skills, you’ll be ready to make a lasting, positive impact on the environment and communities around you.
- Professionally recognised - The programme is recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a 'spatial' accredited qualification, meaning that it provides an employability edge and a first step towards Chartered Membership of this Institute.
- Transferable skills - You will gain skills in digital tech, data analysis, GIS, and more, enabling graduates to move into a wide range of rewarding and impactful careers.
- Flexibility - As well as providing a varied and rigorous urban planning curriculum, the programme offers students the flexibility to choose from a wide range of Geography modules to shape their own learning journey.
- Fieldwork - Fieldtrips are an integral part of the programme. As well as exploring Birmingham, one of the UK's largest and most dynamic cities, you will have the opportunity to attend European field trips in Years 1 and 2.
- Learning support - 1st in the UK (NSS 2025)
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
The course blends interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, fieldwork, group projects, and independent research for a highly varied and comprehensive learning experience.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
• Field courses - Within your field courses you will be able to complete your own piece of research on an urban issue or approach and begin exploring approaches to planning for urban sustainability.
• Research Projects - You can gain fieldwork experience through final-year research projects, locally or overseas.
• Taught Modules - Our research feeds into all our teaching, including lectures, small group tutorials, practical workshops, group learning and presentations.
Support during your studies
• Academic Skills Centre - The centre helps you become an effective, independent learner with online resources and workshops on note-taking, reading, analysis, writing, and presentation skills.
• Student experience - Our Student Experience Team offers research opportunities, study skills support, career preparation, and organizes social events like field trips.
Contact hours
Professors and researchers teach you. Expect 10-14 hours of classes weekly in years one and two, and 6-9 hours in the final year.
Assessment methods and feedback
You will receive assessment details at each module’s start and feedback within four weeks. Tutors and the Academic Skills Centre offer support for a smooth university transition.
The programme is recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a spatial accredited qualification
Meaning that it provides a first step towards Chartered Membership of this Institute.
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.
The 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.
Year 1
Year 1
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LC Cities in Transition | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LC Fieldwork: Principles and Practice | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Planning for the Built Environment | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LC Research Design for Geographers and Planners | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Societies, Space and Place | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year 2
Year 2
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Dissertation Labs for Human Geography and Planning | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Field Research Skills for Human Geography and Planning | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Skills for Planners: Planning Practice Studio | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Urban Policy Design and Planning Analysis | 20 | Semester 2 |
Students must choose 40 credits from the list of optional modules:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Critical Issues for 21st Century Ecosystems | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Cultural Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Development Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Digital data capture and analysis | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Ecological Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Environmental Human Geography | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Environmental Pollution and Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Hydrology and River Management | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Political Geographies | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LI Social Geographies | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LI Urban Geography | 20 | Semester 1 |
Year 3
Year 3
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LI Study Abroad (Geography) | 120 | Full Term |
Final Year
Final Year
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LH Human Geography or Planning Research | 40 | Full Term |
| LH Regenerating Urban Communities | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LH Urban Design and Development | 20 | Semester 2 |
Choose 40 credits from the following:
Teaching staff
Dr Gethin Davison
Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning
Dr Gethin Davison is an interdisciplinary researcher and educator with a background in human geography, planning and urban design.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
ABB
- IB
6,5,5 32 points overall.
- BTEC
We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
Number of A levels required: 3
-
General Studies
General Studies is not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
-
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall.
BTEC qualifications
We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
Stay up-to-date with news and updates from the University of Birmingham including events, our courses and studying with us by registering your details. If you do so, you will be able to use our Offer Calculator.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBC - A Level
- Contextual Offer
BBB - A Level
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £9,535*
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27
*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
What career opportunities are available with a planning degree?
As a graduate you’ll understand the key challenges cities and the environment face today. With skills in urban planning, sustainability, and more, you'll be ready for careers in planning, design and transport, making you highly sought after by employers.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2025, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
The course has given me a range of academic and transferable skills and what I’ve found most enjoyable are certainly the practical elements of the course. Working with practitioners and real-life planning and development projects has really allowed me to use the skills I have learnt and be able to visualise a career in planning.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.