Introduction to Urban Planning BSc (Hons)

The Urban Planning BSc (Hons) degree at Loughborough University offers a unique opportunity to help shape the world around us. Our cities and built environments face huge future challenges, including climate change, rising sea levels, population growth, and economic change. This course draws on diverse expertise, providing students with the skills required to help shape our future and solve the big issues our society faces.

Course Overview

The Urban Planning course has been specifically developed with leading planning practitioners to equip students with the latest skills and knowledge needed for a future in Urban Planning. A key feature of the course is the focus on developing digital and data skills needed for planning smart cities, which are highly attractive to graduate employers. These new digital and data skills will provide us with new ways to understand, plan, and adapt our cities.

Course Structure

The course incorporates practical and hands-on experiences, such as live case studies, in many aspects of urban planning and design, helping students link theory to practice. It examines ways in which our cities and urban environments have historically developed and been designed, whilst challenging students to propose visions of the future in order to make our cities healthier, more vibrant, sustainable, and safer.

Year 1

• Professional Skills: The aim of this module is for the student to explore and reflect on the academic, professional, and personal skills required for their learning development and future employability.
• Principles of Law and Economics for the Built Environment: The aim of this module is to provide the student with a foundation of law and economics as they impact the built environment.
• Professional Practice in Urban Planning: The aim of this module is for the student to be introduced to collaborative practices and project roles in the built environment profession.
• Design Skills and Urban Data Analytics: The aim of this module is to provide students with the skills to communicate design intentions and analytical skills to explore, visualize, and analyze the cityscape.
• Contemporary Planning: The aim of this module is to introduce students to the challenges facing urban planning in society.
• Principles of Urban Planning: The aim of this module is to enable students to acquire a broad knowledge of the main theoretical ideas and principles underpinning urban planning.

Year 2

• Construction Finance and Risk: The aim of this module is to enable the student to develop essential knowledge and understanding in the fundamentals of accounting, financial, and risk management.
• Urban Economics and Development Appraisal: The aim of this module is to enable students to translate aspects of economic theory into urban contexts.
• Research Methods and Digital Skills: The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of conducting an original and rigorous research project.
• Urban Planning and the Environment: The aim of this module is for the student to understand environmental issues related to urban planning.
• Design and Place Making: The aim of this module is to introduce key processes, practices, and principles of place-making.
• Remote Sensing & GIS: The module will introduce the use of GIS and remote sensing systems as a means of addressing geographical questions.

Final Year

• Planning Theories in Context: The aim of this module will be to explore the relationship between planning theory, urban theory, and practice.
• Future Cities: The aims of this module are to identify and understand a broad range of challenges facing urban environments.
• Planning Policy and People: The aim of this module is for the student to understand planning policy and how it inter-relates with people.
• Urban Mobility: The aim of the module is to introduce students to the concept of urban mobility.
• Research Dissertation: The aim of this module is for the student to gain experience in the process and methodology of research.

Entry Requirements

To learn more about the qualifications we typically accept, please select your country from the drop-down menu below.

• General entry requirements: The entry requirements for each course should be read alongside the University’s general entry requirements.
• Contextual admissions: The University’s admissions process uses contextual information to provide insights into the context in which your academic qualifications have been achieved.

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry

• UK fees: Full-time course per annum - £9,535
• International fees: Full-time course per annum - £27,300
• Placement year: Approx. 20% of the full-time fee

Your Future Career

Highly skilled Urban Planning graduates are in high demand with various areas of employment available, including environmental consultancy, local development planning, urban regeneration, urban design, and transport planning.

• Careers Fair: The School holds its own Careers Fair.
• Career support services: Your time at Loughborough University will form a launchpad from which you can build an exciting career.

Companies Students Have Worked for After Graduating

Our recent graduates in the School of Architecture, Building, and Civil Engineering have gone on to take up various graduate and professional level roles at companies including Abacus, ABP, AECOM, AMEY, Arcadis, Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bouygues, Buro Happold, CH2M, Connect Roads, Costain, Eurovia, Fluor, Foster + Partners, Interserve, Jacobs, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Lendlease, Lidl, MACE, Morgan Sindall, Mott MacDonald, Network Rail, Pick Everard, Schofields, Severn Trent, SISK, Skanska, Tesco, The British Army, Walter Lilly, and WSP.

Loughborough University

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Overview:

Loughborough University is a public research university located in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, particularly in sports science, engineering, and business. The university boasts a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on research and innovation.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

Loughborough University offers a diverse and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, societies, and volunteering opportunities. The university has a strong sporting heritage and is home to world-class facilities. Students can also enjoy a vibrant social scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and events happening on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

World-class facilities:

Loughborough University boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated sports village, a modern library, and cutting-edge research labs.

Strong academic reputation:

The university is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK for its academic excellence.

Vibrant campus life:

Students can enjoy a lively and diverse campus community with numerous opportunities for social interaction and personal development.

Focus on research and innovation:

Loughborough University is a leading research institution, with a strong focus on tackling real-world challenges.

Excellent career prospects:

Graduates from Loughborough University are highly sought after by employers, with strong career prospects in various fields.

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Academic Programs:

Loughborough University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Engineering:

Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and more.

Business and Economics:

Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and more.

Sport Science:

Exercise Science, Sports Coaching, Sports Management, and more.

Humanities and Social Sciences:

Psychology, Sociology, History, and more.

Science and Technology:

Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and more.

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Other:

Loughborough University has a strong commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. The university is actively working towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions and promoting inclusivity and diversity within its community.