Transport Planning

Why choose this course?

You'll develop a broad knowledge base and understanding of transport provision in relation to planning and place-making, environmental climate change and its mitigation, and designing transport systems to support sustainable economic development.

You'll be equipped with the knowledge to address the current challenges within the field. The course is delivered within an overarching framework which focuses on key issues within the transport sector ensuring you are able to future-proof your knowledge and career. Current topics which the course addresses include:

• decarbonisation
• place-making
• operational transport planning
• transport and behavioural change
• travel planning
• transport data modelling and analysis.

Throughout the course, you'll also have access to specialist online software, including NVivo and SPSS, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You'll also have the opportunity to go on field trips  e.g., the European Planning Transport Practice module includes a 6 day trip to Europe to explore transport planning systems of European cities. There are also a number of field trips within various modules, including Operational Transport Planning and Community Engagement in the Planning Process.

What will I study?

The MSc Transport Planning course is offered in full-time and part-time modes. The full-time mode is offered as a semester A September intake for one year or semester B January intake for 15 months.

Part-time semester A intake is offered over two years. Part-time semester B is offered over two years.  

The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, field trips and masterclasses. You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• oral presentations
• reflective journals
• written reports and essays.

You'll explore a range of exciting and current topics within the field. Core modules on the course, include:

• European Planning and Transport Practice
• Understanding and Managing Change
• Sustainable Energy
• Transport Policy, Strategy and Law
• Community Engagement and the Planning Process.

The course content aims to equip you with highly desirable skills and knowledge, including:

• a detailed knowledge of transport policy and the administrative frameworks within which transport schemes are developed, assessed, financed, monitored and reviewed
• an understanding of the framework of laws, regulations and guidance in which transport planners work
• skills for collecting, collating, analysing and interpreting the types of data used in the development and assessment of transport policies, plans, projects and services
• knowledge and understanding relating to the principles of community involvement, stakeholder engagement and public consultation in the identification of transport needs and the development of transport policies, plans, projects and services (including alternative approaches and their relative effectiveness)
• an understanding of the operational management of commercial and public transport systems and services using real world examples.

You'll also have the opportunity to explore an area of transport planning which is of personal interest by undertaking a research project. You'll be supported by an experienced dissertation supervisor based within the geography, environment and planning subject group. The research project is an individual in-depth research project that will critically explore a relevant transport related topic in a research and/or professional setting. The aim of the project is for you to develop detailed knowledge and greater understanding of how planning issues are researched, monitored, and evaluated.

About the course

The MSc Transport Planning 180 credits (including postgraduate diploma 120 credits and postgraduate certificate 60 credits) will provide you with both the theoretical grounding and practical skills that you'll need to satisfy the requirements of employers both now and in the future.

Driven by the demand for the delivery of zero carbon interventions, poor air quality and wider social exclusion problems, there is an increasing demand for highly skilled and multi-disciplined professionals within transport planning.  

The climate change imperative has shaken central and local government. It has caused authorities to declare climate emergencies and seek practical solutions to these new and important challenges.

Many have introduced transport policies and invested significant funding for transport programmes. They're also rethinking how transport is delivered to include projects focussed specifically on achieving zero carbon and intelligent transport networks.

So, whether you have an interest in transport planning, or if you're a professional who wants to gain a transport planning qualification, it's an exciting time to explore transport planning and discover the impact you can have on communities for years to come.

You'll also have the opportunity to explore a range of specialised modules, pathways and learning outcomes.

Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning.

Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning (with Placement Year).

Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning (with Advanced Research).

If you have any questions about the course, please email Ms Sue Walsh.