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Programme Specification

MSc Planning and Development

Academic Year 2023/24

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title MSc Planning and Development Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Master of Science
Programme Code EVP-MSC-PD UCAS Code HECoS Code 100197 - Planning - 100
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time or Part Time
Type of Programme Postgraduate Length of Programme Full Time - 1 Academic Year
Part Time - 2 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 180
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Natural and Built Environment

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 7

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Town and country planning (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 27-01-20

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 10-05-16

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Students proceed at risk in regard to the Independent Research Project element if carrying not more than 20 CATS of taught modules into Semester 3.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

Develop an understanding of the nature, purpose, methods and practice of Planning and Development; this includes knowledge about the political and governance context of Planning, and its impact on individuals and communities, often in a multicultural environment;

Understand the processes of change in the built environment and the relationships between the social, economic, environmental and physical factors associated with the development of the built environment;

Develop and put into practice key planning-related skills, including the ability to facilitate change within urban environments, to mediate between competing development interests, to produce strategies, policies and planning decisions and to communicate processes and outcomes;

Provide opportunities to practice and strengthen competencies in key skills such as numeracy, literacy, use of ICT, problem solving, team work and aspects of urban design;

Develop awareness of the ethical responsibilities of those involved in Planning and Development;

Develop the ability to undertake a substantial piece of specialist independent research; and

Commence the display of the range of competencies required for subsequent professional recognition by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Plan, conduct research, and report upon Planning and Development issues.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Exercise spatial literacy through skills in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial mapping of socio-economic data, data categorisation, design and evaluation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, individual project work, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Individual and group project work Independent Specialist Research Project.

Carry out and critically evaluate property valuation exercises.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, field trip.

Methods of Assessment

Essay.

Synthesise academic and policy relevant literature when engaged in project applications of planning practice.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Define and articulate problems, identify potential solutions and communicate these in a clear manner.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Effectively use oral, written and graphic modes of communication that speak to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Operate as a member of a team in work based situations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Project work (group and individual), field trips.

Methods of Assessment

Small group project work, oral presentations.

Demonstrate independent judgement and personal responsibility, linked to an appreciation for ethical behaviour, when involved in professional Planning and Development activities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Define and articulate problems, identify potential solutions and communicate these in a clear manner.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

The nature, purpose, methods and practice of Planning and Development.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Processes of change in the built environment and the relationships between the social, economic, environmental and physical factors associated with the development of the built environment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

The political and governance context of Planning and Development and its impact on individuals and communities.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

The value dimension of Planning and Development activity and the ethical responsibilities of those involved in this arena.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Sustainable development issues within the overall context of place making.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

To apply Planning and Development knowledge and techniques in real, place-specific projects through production of strategies, policies and plans.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

To mediate between competing development interests.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

To demonstrate design competency in relation to Planning and Development and the preparation of site-specific documentation.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures, seminars, project work (group and individual), field trips, one-to-one supervision of Independent Specialist Research Project.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, essays, small group project work, individual project work, oral presentations, Independent Specialist Research Project.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Community Planning and Regeneration EVP7033 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Independent Specialist Project EVP7019 7 60 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Planning and Environmental Governance EVP7011 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Planning Law and Practice EVP7036 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 50% 0% 50%
GIS and Spatial Analysis EVP7032 7 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Professional Practice Project in Environmental Planning EVP7018 7 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Planning Skills and Ethics EVP7012 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Design in the Built Environment EVP7014 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
International Planning Studies EVP7015 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Property Development EVP7016 7 10 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%
Introduction to Planning Theory and Practice EVP7010 7 10 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 100% 0% 0%

Notes

Students proceed at risk in regard to the Independent Research Project element if carrying not more than 20 CATS of taught modules into Semester 3.