Undergraduate School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences ⭐ Professional Accreditation

University of the West of Scotland

BSc (Hons) Town Planning

An innovative workplace learning honours degree modeled after graduate apprenticeships, designed for professionals employed in Scotland to master spatial analysis, placemaking, policy, and sustainable urban development.

Paisley September

Duration

4 years full-time company-based workplace learning

IELTS (min)

6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in each component)

Course overview

About the Course

The BSc (Hons) Town Planning programme blends intensive academic theory with hands-on corporate engineering, providing a seamless integration of workplace experience with university modules.

01

This specialized Workplace Learning programme requires students to be currently employed in Scotland in a relevant industry role for a minimum of 21 contracted hours per week, with formal active employer support.

Programme structure

Course Modules

This programme is structured to build strong subject knowledge, academic readiness and applied professional capability through each stage of study.

  • Introduction to Planning & Placemaking (URBN07001) - 20 Credits
  • Environmental Sustainability in the Built Environment (URBN07002) - 20 Credits
  • Spatial Data Analysis & Mapping (URBN07003) - 20 Credits
  • Workplace Learning 1: Professional Planning Practice (URBN07004) - 40 Credits
  • Digital Skills & GIS Foundations (COMP07067) - 20 Credits
  • Planning Policy & Legislative Frameworks (URBN08001) - 20 Credits
  • Urban & Rural Regeneration (URBN08002) - 20 Credits
  • Advanced Spatial Analysis & GIS (URBN08003) - 20 Credits
  • Workplace Learning 2: Applied Planning Competence (URBN08004) - 40 Credits
  • Community Engagement & Stakeholder Governance (URBN08005) - 20 Credits
  • Strategic Infrastructure Planning (URBN09001) - 20 Credits
  • Economic Development & Placemaking (URBN09002) - 20 Credits
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (URBN09003) - 20 Credits
  • Workplace Learning 3: Strategic Project Design (URBN09004) - 40 Credits
  • Research Methods for the Built Environment (URBN09005) - 20 Credits
  • Honours Dissertation / Workplace Research Thesis (URBN10001) - 40 Credits
  • Advanced Urban Design & Resilient Cities (URBN10002) - 20 Credits
  • Planning Law, Ethics & Professional Practice (URBN10003) - 20 Credits
  • Workplace Learning 4: Honours Professional Portfolio (URBN10004) - 40 Credits

Placement Opportunities

Career Opportunities

Secure high-impact officer and consultant pathways within the built environment

Graduate Outcomes

Strong

UWS was named The Times and The Sunday Times Scottish University of the Year for Social Inclusion 2026.

Graduates are uniquely equipped to scale their current employment into advanced professional titles across the public, private, and third sectors. Technical command over policy analysis, GIS engines,…

What our students say

Some of the key skills that I’ve learned was the ability to understand and implement policy and use that as a rationale to make decisions. If you are considerin…

Ryan Hardy, BSc (Hons) Town Planning Student

Key placement benefits

  • Spatial Data Mapping & GIS Analysis
  • Placemaking & Sustainable Urban Design
  • Legislative Policy Interpretation & Application
  • Multi-Stakeholder Communication & Governance

Placement providers

  • Public Sector (e.g., Local Authorities, Central & Devolved Governments)
  • Private Consultancies & Real Estate Majors
  • Third Sector Bodies (e.g., Housing Associations, Social Enterprises)
  • Advanced Built Environment Frameworks

Tuition information

Tuition Fees

2026/2027 Academic Year

Scholarships Available
£18,900 per year of study

£3,150 per 20-credit syllabus taught block

Flexible payment options via standard university instalment structures are configurable.
Eligible Scottish candidates typically have their annual tuition fully covered by SAAS.

*Gross financial matrices undergo comprehensive annual evaluation. Values shown strictly reflect international undergraduate benchmarks.

English language

Entry Requirements

Undergraduate English language proficiency parameters for direct entry.

6.0

IELTS Score Required

Minimum 5.5 in each individual component

Accepted alternatives

Other recognized tests

  • TOEFL iBT

    78

  • Pearson PTE Academic

    54

  • Duolingo English Test

    105

Equivalent verified language certifications are evaluated case-by-case by our international team.

Maximum Exemptions Available

Professional Relevance

Engineered around professional institute benchmarks

The course architecture is intentionally designed to meet national corporate benchmarks, assuring that work-based port metrics directly align with standard practitioner frameworks.

RTPI Standards Path

Royal Town Planning Institute Accreditation Blueprint

Designed to satisfy the strict educational criteria of the RTPI, with formal accreditation targeted following the graduation of the initial cohort.

Workplace Mentor Integration

Evidence of Employer Support Framework

Guarantees a tripartite agreement where an appointed corporate mentor bridges company outputs with academic credits.

An official entry interview is mandatory for all applicants prior to final selection approval.

Official admissions guidance

Academic Entry Requirements

Applicants are expected to satisfy general UWS undergraduate admission criteria. Standard SQA entry requirements expect 90 UCAS tariff points (Grades: BCCC) including National 5 Mathematics and English. Crucially, candidates must meet strict residency indices (resided in Scotland for 3 years prior to start), hold settled UK immigration status, and secure an Evidence of Employer Support agreement.

Our specialized built environment teams are prepared to run an official qualification check and confirm your application profile.

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