Transport Planning and the Environment MSc

Course overview

Our Transport Planning and the Environment MSc will equip you with the knowledge and skills to address the environmental impacts of transport. From urban pollution, public health and policy making to road safety management and traffic network modelling – you’ll gain insights into how a range of disciplines can work together to design sustainable solutions to global challenges.

You’ll learn the techniques behind cutting-edge data collection and analysis that help improve the air quality of our cities and the wellbeing of your fellow citizens. You’ll also study environmental research techniques to help develop transport networks founded on robust evidence, sustainable and equitable principles, state-of-the-art modelling, accurate data analysis, and a profound understanding of human psychology.

Studying in the Institute of Transport Studies at Leeds will also give you a unique head start in your career in transport. Not only does our world-leading research shape the course, but our close links with large corporations means you’ll have a chance to interact with potential employers and possibly interview for graduate schemes and other vacancies. We also offer opportunities to build your industry work experience before you graduate with work placements and project work throughout your course.

Why study at Leeds:

• Our Institute for Transport Studies’ globally-renowned research conducted right here on campus feeds directly into the course, shaping your learning with the latest thinking in sustainable transport planning – and beyond.
• Advance your knowledge and understanding of how diverse data sources can be used to create policies that reduce air traffic pollution and improve government policymaking.
• Gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art monitoring tools to measure vehicle emissions and evaluate data.
• Work with sophisticated models used to design traffic systems and pollution controls that can help reduce harm to people and the environment.
• Tailor the course to suit your career aspirations with a wide selection of optional modules in areas such as sustainable spatial planning, green logistics and traffic management to refine your knowledge and specialise in topics that interest you the most.
• Build industry experience collaborating on a multidisciplinary team project with students from other degree specialisms that focuses on a real-world transport problem posed by Leeds City Council or another organisation. You may also be able to apply for an optional industrial placement.
• Experience expert theoretical and practical teaching delivered by a programme team made up of researchers and academics from the Institute for Transport Studies with an international reputation (members of our team advise European and national governments on emissions control) and who have extensive expertise across a variety of transport disciplines.
• Take advantage of our close working relationships with big organisations in industry including consultancies (AECOM, ARUP, Atkins, Fore Consulting, Jacobs, Mott MacDonald, Pell Frischmann, The Hub Transport Advisory, Tracsis) and Local / Regional / National Government organisations (Department for Transport, Active Travel England, Transport for London, Transport for the North, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council) who all actively advertise and recruit directly from the Institute of Transport Studies. Many of these organisations are members of the ITS Industrial Advisory Committee who directly inform and advise on course content and priorities.
• This course offers flexible study options where you can study full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 or 36 months.

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Career opportunities

A degree from the Institute for Transport Studies at Leeds opens up a range of opportunities to pursue a rewarding career in this industry. This course will equip you with an extensive specialist skill set, alongside industry experience and the chance to interact directly with industry organisations which could give you the edge with employers.

Transport consultancies are the largest employers of our graduates, but other common careers include those in government, academia, regulatory bodies, transport operators, logistics companies, not-for-profit and international agencies.

Our graduates work across the private and public sectors. Many work abroad, whether for UK companies with overseas offices, for international organisations or for national governments.

Plus, the University of Leeds is in the top 5 most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2024 report.

Here’s an insight into some of the job roles and organisations previous graduates on this course have secured:

• Transport Planner/Modeler, AECOM
• Transport Planner, JMP Consultants Ltd.
• Senior Traffic Modeler, Parsons Corporation
• Assistant Planning Officer, Ministry of Transport, Ghana
• Specialist Advisor for the Minister of Transport, Argentinian Federal Government
• Senior Planner, PSS Urbania
• Transport Consultant, Integrated Transport Planning Ltd.
• Transport Consultant, Steer
• Transportation Planning, Ministry of Transport & Communications
• Chief of Strategic and Urban Planning Section, Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs & Urban Planning
• Assistant Planning Officer, Ministry of Transport, Ghana
• Transport Planner, Transport for NSW