Master in City Planning Design Higher Level Apprenticeship Msc

Queen's University Belfast is a historic and research-led university located in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Founded as Queen's College Belfast in 1845 and established as an independent university in 1908, Queen's combines a long heritage with modern ambitions. The campus sits within a designated conservation area and serves a diverse community of around 24,915 students, including roughly 3,500 international students, creating a lively and inclusive environment for study and social life.

Academically, Queen's is a Russell Group member with strong disciplinary strengths and a clear focus on employability. The university hosts four flagship Global Research Institutes addressing Global Peace, Security and Justice; Cyber Security; Health Sciences; and Food Safety, offering students opportunities to engage with impactful research. Career-facing initiatives such as Degree Plus and targeted employer workshops enhance internships, placements and graduate prospects, while sustained investment in campus infrastructure has delivered new teaching facilities, a student centre and a cutting-edge clinical simulation centre for health-related programmes.

For international students, Belfast offers an affordable and welcoming city experience with rich cultural life and efficient transport links across the UK and Ireland. University support services help with arrival, visas and accommodation, and a variety of clubs, societies and volunteering options make it easy to build networks and gain practical experience. Queen's is a strong choice for students seeking rigorous teaching, active research opportunities and clear pathways into careers in the UK and beyond.

In a world facing complex environmental, social, and economic pressures, the way we manage our built and natural environments defines our collective future. This Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) addresses the inherent tension in professional practice between those who define planning policy and those tasked with the physical design of cities. By bridging this gap, the programme enables practitioners to move beyond siloed thinking and engage in collaborative, project-based learning.

Practice-Led Professional Development

Designed for individuals already active in the sector or those securing relevant employment, this MSc is structured around the core competencies required by modern urban designers and planners. Rather than adhering to purely abstract academic frameworks, the curriculum is driven by industry requirements. Students benefit from:

• Live design projects commissioned by local authority and community partners.
• Technical training in GIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, and SketchUp.
• Expert guidance from faculty with research specialisms in sustainable development, urban economics, and international planning policy.
• A professional environment that bridges the gap between theoretical urbanism and the realities of development, construction, and heritage management.

The programme's unique structure allows for work-based thesis research, ensuring that your academic output contributes directly to your professional trajectory and the needs of your employer.