Overview

The program offers a nationally accredited professional Master degree, Master in Urban Planning. The Planning program gives graduate students the opportunity to pursue advanced learning in professional knowledge and research. This program tackles some of the biggest global planning, urban design, urban and rural development issues of our time and provides comprehensive training in the theory, methodology and practice of urban planning, equipping students to seek employment in urban planning and related fields in the public and private sectors.

Course description & research fields

We offer a range of master’s courses which are built on the core strengths of academic staff. Each master’s course prepares you with the academic and professional skills to further your career and is tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of students. The program comprises the core elements of lecture courses and research, focusing on examining the factors that shape cities and rural areas and explores how research is used in policy-making and evaluation.

Our research is grouped into seven main areas----Theories of human settlements in mountainous regions, the History of Urban and Rural Area Development and heritage protection, Spatial Development in Urban and Rural areas, Ecology of Urban and Rural Areas and Planning Technology, Theory and Method of Community Planning, Policy and Management of Urban and Rural Planning. Each student will be supported by a supervisor who facilitated your progress along the way. The supervisor will help you to shape your research, guide you in professional development, and support you in delivering your findings to a wider audience. To gain a master’s degree, you will complete at least 30 credits from taught courses, and produce a dissertation.

Modules

Core modules

Year 1

·    Basic Chinese(64 hours,4 credits)

·    Theory and Practice of Scenic Area and Protected Area Conservation Planning(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Ecological Planning & Design: Principles and Application Paradigm (32 hours,2 credits)

·    Building Technology(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Chinese Contemporary Architecture & Urban Development Criticism(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Elementary Chinese(64 hours,4 credits)

·    China Panorama(taught in English)(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Theory of Community Development and Planning(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Design Course(48 hours,3 credits)

·    Research Methods(32 hours,2 credits)

·    Advanced Lectures(48 hours,3 credits)

·    Theories of Urban Design(32 hours,2 credits)

Year 2 - Year 3

·    Literature Review and Thesis Proposal (1 credit)

·    Academic Activities and Lectures（complete before pre-defense）(1 credit)

·    International Academic Interchange （complete before pre-defense）(1 credit)

·    Medium-term Exam for Master Students

·    Dissertation(15 credits)

Duration

3 years full-time

Medium of Instruction

English

Entry requirements

Admission will be granted by the admission board taking into account applicants’ academic background, motivation, language skills, and if applicable, professional experience. One of the basic entry requirements for the program is a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (architecture, urban planning or landscape architecture) and a thorough knowledge of English.

English language requirements

Since the courses are taught in English, all applicants must be able to read, follow lectures and express their thoughts in fluent written and spoken English. Applicants whose native language is not English need to provide score report of English language proficiency test (a score above IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL Internet-based 80 or equivalent), or a certificate from former university that the previous degree is taught in English, or a certificate indicating the applicants have studied in an English-speaking country for more than one year.