BSc Urban Planning & Development
About this course
BSc in Urban Planning & Development, an urban planning degree focused on spatial development, property, regeneration, and the economic and environmental challenges of shaping modern places. Core topics include Research Methods. This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and partially accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute as a spatial qualification, and includes fieldwork and practitioner involvement. The first year covers foundational concepts through Society, Diversity and Planning, Urban Economies, Property, Urban Development and Regeneration, Making Knowledge: Evidence and Practice, Key Issues in Urban Planning, and Designing Places and Plans. The second year progresses to Site Planning and Development Valuation, Regulating Development: Planning Law and Policy, and Developing Research Methods, alongside optional modules in economic geography, sustainable development, global contexts, heritage, and community engagement. The final year involves advanced study through Planning Theory and Practice, Sustainable Transport, and a compulsory Research Project. Optional topics in the final year span social justice, mobility, infrastructure development, environmental governance, and digital planning.
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Entry requirements
A level: ABB
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 75%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 79%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 5%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 40%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 40 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- London: 25%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 40%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 85%
- Other qualifications: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.
- Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Membership.
Modules
- Society, Diversity and Planning
- Urban Economies
- Property, Urban Development and Regeneration
- Making Knowledge: Evidence and Practice
- Key Issues in Urban Planning
- Designing Places and Plans
- Site Planning and Development Valuation
- Regulating Development: Planning Law and Policy
- Developing Research Methods
- Spaces of Production: Economic Geography
- Sustainable development: Concepts, Practices and Challenges
- Development and the Global South
- Heritage, Regeneration and Inequality
- Cynllunio ar gyfer Iechyd a Lles Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol
- Engaging Communities
- Planning Theory and Practice
- Research Project
- Sustainable Transport
- Cities and Social Justice
- Mobilities: Travel, Tourism and Communication
- Infrastructure Development: Swift, Smart and Sustainable?
- Climate Change & Environmental Governance
- Researching Contemporary Issues in Geography and Planning
- Digital Planning
- Cyfiawnder Byd-eang
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £40,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £34,500 and £44,000. The £40,000 median after five years is £4,000 more than the UK median for Planning (urban, rural and regional).
What do graduates of BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University?
75% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 128 UCAS points.
Is BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership. Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirements for Chartered Membership.
How many students continue on BSc Urban Planning & Development at Cardiff University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.