Planning and Environment Research MA
Our Planning and Environment Research MA provides strong research training. Develop research skills and receive professional accreditation.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Our Master's in Planning and Environment Research will suit those looking to specialise in environmental or landscape planning research.
The course will prepare you for a PhD in the field of environmental or landscape planning. It will equip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding to pursue a research career. You'll develop strong research skills, including data collection and analysis. These skills will be relevant to a variety of organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
You'll gain an understanding of a range of contemporary and specialised issues in environmental planning research.
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You'll take compulsory modules in research methods and skills development. These are delivered by the Humanities and Social Sciences Graduate School.
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape will deliver optional modules. Optional modules include specialised modules related to your personal research interests. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, enabling you to customise your course. You can also take optional modules from other academic schools within the University.
Your dissertation will enhance and demonstrate your research skills and training.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory Modules | Credits |
---|---|
Thinking about Research | 10 |
Information Skills | 10 |
Dissertation Preparation | 10 |
Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | 20 |
Quantitative Analysis | 20 |
Dissertation | 60 |
How you'll learn
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Research paper
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our research-active staff will deliver your teaching and research training. Our staff have extensive practice experience. They are also experienced supervisors and examiners of doctoral-level research students. This has considerable benefits if you wish to carry on to PhD at Newcastle. It provides opportunities to develop research proposals in close association with potential supervisors.
Your development
Research skills
You'll develop:
- strong research skills including data collection and analysis
- awareness of ethical issues in research
- practical skills for planning, managing and disseminating research. This includes bibliographic, IT and communication skills
- expertise in specialist areas relating to your personal research interests
- a broad understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has excellent studio teaching facilities. Our research suite provides space and equipment for postgraduate researchers. This may be limited to allow for social distancing. Our facilities include:
- studios
- exhibition spaces
- print room
- seminar rooms
- IT suites
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
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Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Vicky Young
Postgraduate Taught Secretary
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 6004
Email: vicky.young1@ncl.ac.uk
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