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MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities — an accredited Master's for people doing this work, not just reading about it.
Online or on campus
Spatial planning, housing, transport, climate adaptation and the UK planning system — for local-authority planners, developers and community organisations. Academic award, not a licence to practise as a chartered planner. The University of Brigant teaches this award to one academic standard whether you study on campus in Edinburgh or on the tuition-free online pathway. Assessment is identity-checked; the marking scheme does not change with your postcode. This is an academic Master's award; where a field has a licensing or registration route, that remains a matter for your professional body or regulator. You will work through the material as a practitioner-researcher: applied methods, real or anonymised cases, and a supervised capstone or dissertation as the final component. Faculty mark whether you noticed the constraints a slide deck usually hides. MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 24 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Climate Science & Systems for Managers through Climate Science & Systems for Managers; ESG Strategy, Materiality & Governance; Sustainability Accounting & Reporting Standards; Sustainable Finance, Impact & Transition Risk; Circular Economy, Supply Chains & Scope 3; Environmental Law, Regulation & Policy, and finish on Sustainability Capstone Project. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses. Reading is a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. The artefact a marker expects is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Build a greenhouse-gas inventory and a credible transition plan Apply ESG disclosure standards and prepare for assurance Analyse transition and physical risk for a firm or a portfolio Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
The programme carries 36 credits across four assessed modules. Delivery is tuition-free (£0) on the online pathway. Transcripts use letter grades and a GPA scale consistent with University of Brigant awards. No professional-body logo is used in marketing to imply endorsement.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.
On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71701 | Climate Science & Systems for Managers Climate Science & Systems for Managers (BX71701) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Climate Science & Systems for Managers as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71702 | ESG Strategy, Materiality & Governance ESG Strategy, Materiality & Governance (BX71702) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using ESG Strategy, Materiality & Governance as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71703 | Sustainability Accounting & Reporting Standards Sustainability Accounting & Reporting Standards (BX71703) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a set of figures, build a small case, and state which assumption moves the result, using Sustainability Accounting & Reporting Standards as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses financial statements, a recognition note, and a risk report. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation that separates the decision, the numbers, and the risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer an accounting, audit, or financial-services licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71705 | Sustainable Finance, Impact & Transition Risk Sustainable Finance, Impact & Transition Risk (BX71705) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a set of figures, build a small case, and state which assumption moves the result, using Sustainable Finance, Impact & Transition Risk as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses financial statements, a recognition note, and a risk report. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation that separates the decision, the numbers, and the risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer an accounting, audit, or financial-services licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71706 | Circular Economy, Supply Chains & Scope 3 Circular Economy, Supply Chains & Scope 3 (BX71706) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Circular Economy, Supply Chains & Scope 3 as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71707 | Environmental Law, Regulation & Policy Environmental Law, Regulation & Policy (BX71707) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can say who decides, under which rule, and draft a note a professional could read, using Environmental Law, Regulation & Policy as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a statute or instrument, a case or policy paper, and a commentary. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a memo or draft clause with sources and a revision note. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course is academic. It does not admit the student to practise law and it is not a qualifying law degree.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71709 | Change Leadership for Net-Zero Change Leadership for Net-Zero (BX71709) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Change Leadership for Net-Zero as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71710 | ESG Data, Assurance & Greenwashing Risk ESG Data, Assurance & Greenwashing Risk (BX71710) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can map one named system, write a threat model, and specify the controls that would stop the most likely path, using ESG Data, Assurance & Greenwashing Risk as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses control catalogues, incident write-ups, and a short technical standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a defensive design with a test plan and a statement of residual risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71711 | Adaptation & Resilience Adaptation & Resilience (BX71711) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Adaptation & Resilience as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| BX71713 | Research Design for Sustainability Research Design for Sustainability (BX71713) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Research Design for Sustainability as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71714 | Writing for Boards & Investors Writing for Boards & Investors (BX71714) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Writing for Boards & Investors as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| BX71715 | Sustainability Capstone Project Sustainability Capstone Project (BX71715) is a 3-credit course on MSc Urban Planning & Sustainable Cities, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can draw the system, name the constraint that binds it, and compare two responses, using Sustainability Capstone Project as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a system description, an indicator note, and a project option paper. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation for one decision, with the evidence and the downside. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a professional engineering licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 24 months. Teaching language: English (dual pathway: Edinburgh campus or tuition-free online; one academic standard). Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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