BA Urban Planning
About this course
BA Honours in Urban Planning, a planning degree exploring the forces that shape cities and neighbourhoods through environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes an optional year abroad and features a substantial final-year dissertation project. The first year builds foundational knowledge through compulsory modules such as Planning Processes, Design Awareness and Communication, Economics of Development I, and Environment and Sustainability. The second year focuses on local economies and research methodologies through compulsory modules like Researching Local Economies and Research Skills, alongside various optional topics. The final year centers on advanced professional practice and theory through compulsory modules including Strategies into Action: Planning, Development Management, Planning Theory and Politics, and Dissertation. Students can also tailor their studies by selecting from optional modules spanning urban design, cultural history, and environmental topics.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB IB: 32 points
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 96%: 110 offers from 114 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 58%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 68%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 96%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 45%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 18%
- North West: 17%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 15%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 23%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 2%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started
- A levels: 80%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Planning Processes
- Design Awareness and Communication
- Economics of Development I
- Environment and Sustainability
- Social Worlds
- Understanding Place: Methods and Perspectives
- Shaping Towns and Cities
- Planning for a Better World
- Researching Local Economies
- Research Skills
- Participation: Theories & Practice
- Houses and Homes
- Design & Neighbourhood
- Understanding Cities
- Digital Civics
- Urban Infrastructures: A Lens on the City
- Global Course on Institutional Design for Spatial Planning
- Study Abroad for Stage 2
- Researching Local Economies (Placement)
- Strategies into Action: Planning
- Development Management
- Planning Theory and Politics
- Dissertation
- Chinese Cultural History and Urban Development
- Disasters, Monsters and Mess
- Strategies Into Action: Urban Design
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £37,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £30,000 and £45,500. The £37,000 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Planning (urban, rural and regional).
What do graduates of BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University do next?
70% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University?
58% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University?
96% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 110 offers from 114 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Is BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
Does BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Urban Planning at Newcastle University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.