University College Dublin
An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath
BSc City Planning & Environmental Policy
If you are interested in both the built and natural environment, a degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy offers you a unique opportunity to further your interests. The degree integrates subjects that will deepen and broaden your understanding of environmental, social and economic issues, and set these in a practical policy context. A degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy provides you with strong analytical skills, as well as the ability to think critically about development and environmental issues. This career orientated degree provides the first steps to pursuing a career as a professional planner, urban designer or environmental policy expert.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
On completion of this degree students will gain the necessary professional accreditation to pursue a career as a professional planner. If students wish to develop further skills and knowledge they may choose to pursue graduate study, through either an MSc or PhD.
Graduates find employment as planners in:
- Government & local authorities
- Planning & environmental consultancies
- Local & regional development organisations
- Private companies (marketing/location/real estate/ infrastructure)
- Non-governmental organisations (environmental/heritage/international development)
Why UCD
UCD is highly attractive to students due to the exposure to world leading
researchers and the significant career prospects.
- UCD is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutes worldwide.
- Degrees with high employability with dedicated careers support.
- Ireland’s largest and most international university.
- Established in 1854 with 160 years of teaching and research excellence.
what will i study?
This degree integrates an interdisciplinary approach that will deepen and broaden your understanding of environmental, social and economic issues, and sets these in a practical policy context. On entering first year, you will be introduced to a host of new ideas and concepts. Building your knowledge and skills throughout the first year of the course, you will progressively gain insight into the complexity of our taken-for-granted world and how we can constructively and sustainably respond to the challenges we face. A small class size and the interactive learning environment ensures an enjoyable experience that stimulates creativity and ownership of your career path.
The degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy includes modules in:
First Year
- Introduction to City Planning
- Environmental Change & Policy
- History of City Planning
- Urban Design
- Environmental Economics
- Inequality & Social Justice in Irish Society
- Planning & Development Studio
Second Year
- Local Planning Studio
- Community Development & Planning
- Geographical Information Systems
- Comparative Planning
- Urban & Regional Economics
- Case Studies in Environmental Policy
- Social Spatial Dynamics
- Rural Change, Development & Planning
Third Year
In Third Year there is the opportunity to pursue a work-based project or to study abroad. Modules may include:
- Environmental Management
- Climate Policy & Politics
- Transport, Environment and Sustainability
- Smart Cities
Fourth Year
- Planning Methods and Leadership
- Planning Design and Development
- Planning Law
- Environment and Planning
- Plan Making Studio
- Housing Planning and Property
The modules are delivered in a variety of formats, including lectures, labs and studios. They provide opportunities for interdisciplinary research, field work and guest lectures from leading researchers, advocates and practitioners. Dublin and the surrounding region are viewed as a living lab for students learning.
Entry Requirements:
You must obtain a minimum of Grade H5 in two subjects and a minimum of Grade 06/H7 in the remaining four subjects.