UCD College of Human Sciences Graduate Programmes Graduate Programmes School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy PLACES & PEOPLE understanding, managing and guiding change
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy Welcome to GPEP We are a community of scholars and students of human and physical geography and the applied fields of professional spatial planning and environmental policy. We are an international group searching for greater understanding of our living environment and the natural, socio-economic and political processes that underpin it. The School members seek to provide the knowledge and analytical tools to explain and model the dynamics of physical landscapes and environmental processes, and the interrelationship between people and places at all geographical scales. To address the pressing international, national and local challenges in implementing sustainable development and improving quality of life via environmental policy and spatial planning, GPEP provides the very best in terms of interdisciplinary teaching and research. We offer our students, the policy makers and the community at large, a resource unmatched in terms of internationally recognised quality, relevance and competitiveness.
Graduate Programmes MSc City Planning and Resilience (1 year) Why is this Course for Me? By 2050 it is forecast that approximately two thirds (6 billion) of the world s population will be urban dwellers. While the growth of urban areas offers significant opportunities, it also poses profound challenges. To address these challenges and harness the opportunities we need graduates who can understand the multifaceted nature of urban areas. The MSc City Planning and Resilience will provide a unique blend of knowledge and skills relating to urban development, spatial planning and design, equipping you to engage with the development of more resilient, liveable, urban places at a range of spatial scales. As an RTPI accredited specialist masters programme, the MSc allows those who have completed an RTPI recognised three year undergraduate spatial planning degree to complete the educational requirements for qualification as a professional chartered planner. What Will I Study? The MSc in City Planning and Resilience will provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand the challenges of, and provide innovative, creative and environmentally sustainable solutions for, planning and managing urban change and creating more resilient urban areas. Within the programme you will have the opportunity to develop practical and transferrable skills including GIS, design, negotiation and project management. The programme thus combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills by complementing academic study with input from planning practitioners working in the private and public sector.
MSc City Planning and Resilience UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy In each of the first two semesters core modules on topics like urban and regional development, smart cities and housing and community resilience are complemented by a choice of option modules which will allow you to further specialise in areas of interest within the overall theme of city planning and resilience. In the second semester you will undertake an urban design studio project which will introduce you to design led solutions to urban challenges, with significant interface with practitioners. Finally, in the third semester you will complete your own individual thesis/research project on a topic of relevance to the planning and management of urban areas. Career Prospects For those with an undergraduate degree in planning the MSc City Planning and Resilience grants the specialist component which will provide the route to a career as a professional planner. Prospective employers include national and international planning agencies and institutes, local authorities, government departments, planning and planning related consultancy firms, public and private utility firms, local development and community development agencies, environmental and other NGOs, universities and research institutes. For those with other undergraduate degrees the MSc will provide a range of academic and transferrable skills that will be of benefit to careers in the public and private sectors and in NGOs. These include development firms, regeneration agencies, environmental NGOS, utility companies and large multinational firms with an interest in the creation of smarter cities. Entry Requirements Applicants should have at least a second class honours degree (2.2) or equivalent. We welcome applications from students with a background in a wide range of disciplines including: human and social sciences, engineering, architecture and busines. If you want to pursue the MSc City Planning and Resilience as a specialist professional planning masters
Graduate Programmes MSc City Planning and Resilience degree you must have already completed an RTPI accredited spatial planning programme at undergraduate level (e.g. a 3 year BA or BSc programme in planning). Students without a spatially accredited undergraduate degree who would like to pursue a professional planning degree should please see the information on our 2 year MRUP degree. Further information Director of MSc City Planning and Resilience: Dr. Paula Russell paula.russell@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc, available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/msccityplanning Margaret Galvin, Planning Student There is a great mix of group work and individual assignments throughout the degree, while the thesis provides opportunities to carry out research on a subject that you are interested in. Urban design was my favourite module and was very much hands on with a great opportunity to be creative and converse with professional architects and urban designers. Lectures were enjoyable, the academic staff were really helpful and there is a great community and atmosphere among both students and staff. This Masters is a great basis to build a future career in the built environment.
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy Master of Regional and Urban Planning (2 years) Why is this course for me? In today s complex and rapidly changing world, with the threats posed by climate change, economic crisis, and rapid urban growth, planners face the challenge of creating places that combine good environmental quality with a vibrant economy, good quality of life and distributive justice. This two year professional planning degree will provide you with the first steps to becoming a professional chartered planner who can help address these challenging issues. The degree is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Irish Planning Institute and these qualifications are internationally recognised. What will I study? Within the MRUP programme you will develop an understanding of the administrative, legal and policy frameworks in which spatial planning operates and the social political, economic and environmental challenges facing planning. You will become familiar with the use and application of GIS methodologies and will develop skills in plan making and transportation planning. Depending on your interests you can choose to specialize in either development and design or environmental planning. You will also develop transferrable skills, including spatial analysis, project management, media-
Graduate Programmes tion and advocacy, organisational management and leadership skills, problem solving and decision making and communication. In each year of the programme you will have the opportunity to develop and apply these skills and knowledge in an integrated practical project. In the final Semester of your second year you will undertake an independent piece of research and will complete a thesis. Master of Regional and Urban Planning Career Prospects Graduates of the MRUP are to be found working as professional planners in both the public and private sector. Our graduates have found employment with national and international planning agencies and institutes, government departments, local authorities, transportation agencies, planning consultancy firms, and property firms. Graduates have also pursued careers in a range of other areas which utilise the types of skills developed within the degree. These include working with environmental and other NGOs, as animators of local and community development, as GIS consultants, as researchers, as policy advisors and as planning advisors to utility companies, large retailers and transportation companies. Entrance Requirements At a minimum applicants should have a second class honours degree (2.2) or equivalent in any academic field, but with a preference for fields of study related to Planning and/or equivalent relevant professional experience.
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy Master of Regional and Urban Planning Further information Director of the MRUP: Dr. Paula Russell paula.russell@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc., available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/mrup/ MRUP Graduate Lucy Pyne I feel I have gained a lot as a result of the MRUP. As someone who had never studied planning before, it has taught me what planning is, what its roles are in contemporary society and how it is applied in the real world. I have a better appreciation of the role of policy and politics in everyday decision-making and the impact of economics on the development of cities and regions. In particular, I relished the emphasis that was placed on urban design and as a result I am much more aware of what is around me.
Graduate Programmes MSc in Environmental Policy (1 year) Why is this course for me? The environment poses some of the most complex and pressing challenges facing societies and policy-makers across the globe. These challenges range from global concerns (e.g. climate change), to local scale issues (e.g. environmental and citizen quality of life) as policy-makers grapple with building more sustainable and resilient societies, while balancing environmental goals with economic and social objectives. This one year MSc degree is designed to equip students with essential knowledge of environmental processes, and policy and governance frameworks for environmental action, while also developing key professional tools to enable graduates to apply new skills in their future careers. What will I study? During the one year programme, you will have the opportunity to study both core and specialized modules in environmental policy. Semester 1 focuses on core modules to develop foundational knowledge and skills within environmental policy-making, such as environmental economics, environmental law, society and environment relationships, urban and rural management, policy design and analysis, European environmental policy and research methods training. Semester 2 gives you the opportunity to choose specialist modules within one of the following areas: (1) the urban environment; (2) climate change; or (3) natural resource management. Students also
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy undertake an integrated group project (Tools for Sustainable Development) to provide practice-based insights into environmental policymaking. Finally, you will have the opportunity to further enhance your specialist interests during the completion of a thesis in the third semester. MSc Environmental Policy Career Opportunities The MSc in Environmental Policy is designed to provide you with key knowledge, skills and professional tools to work in environment-related careers. These include: environmental NGOs and lobby groups, civil service and public sector management, political parties, private sector management (e.g. corporate environmental responsibility), policy and environmental consultancy, journalism and the media, and research and teaching. Programme Objectives The MSc in Environmental Policy is designed to develop professional knowledge, skills and tools for environmental problem solving and for a more sustainable future Professional Knowledge: environmental processes and change, policy and legal frameworks, social movements and the environment Professional Skills: problem-solving, team-working, research methods, communication and media skills, project management, strategic planning Professional Tools: policy analysis, GIS, environmental assessment, cost benefit analysis, environmental mediation, public participation, risk management
Graduate Programmes Entry requirements Second Class honours undergraduate degree or equivalent. As the MSc provides both introductory and specialised modules in Environmental Policy, we welcome applications from students with a background in a diverse range of academic subjects including social sciences and arts, environmental sciences, law and business studies, and engineering. Further information Director of MSc in Environmental Policy: Dr Mark Scott mark.scott@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc, available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/mscenvironmentalpolicy MSc Environmental Policy Louise Gallagher, Environmental Policy Graduate I am grateful to have had the opportunity to study at such a high quality centre of research with a social atmosphere that encourages lifelong friendships. Today, as a policy researcher at the United Nations Environmental Program s Chemicals Branch in Geneva, I work on the key issues and apply the core concepts that were discussed daily with GPEP colleagues more often than not, over a cup of tea. The expertise and skills I developed during my years at GPEP have served me well.
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy MA Geopolitics and the Global Economy (1 year) Why is this course for me? The MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy equips students with an in-depth understanding of international relations, conflict, war and peace, as well as national, local and regional development, the current economic crisis and globalization. The programme comprises of coursework, a dissertation, and fieldwork in an overseas location (recent trips have included Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Istanbul). The MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy will provide a solid grounding in the key knowledge and skills required by a geographer specializing in political or economic geography. It also gives the opportunity for interdisciplinary study through a range of optional modules offered by other Schools within UCD. What will I study? The MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy will provide you with the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge covering topics focussing on key global political and economic events. During the course you will undertake a cohesive set of core modules covering a broad base of key skill and knowledge sets (including a choice
Graduate Programmes of whether to study The Political Geography of Europe or US Foreign Policy in detail) and you will also have the opportunity to select a number of optional modules that allow you to focus in greater depth on specific subject areas. These optional modules introduce the opportunity for interdisciplinary study with, for example, courses offered by the Schools of Political Science and American Studies available to you as a student on this programme. The final component of the MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy is the opportunity to further enhance your specialist interests and hone your research skills by completing of a thesis, involving primary research under the supervision of an experienced academic, on a topic of your choice. Career Prospects This programme will provide you with a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers. Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral study, careers in government, international aid agencies, global multilateral agencies (United Nations, World Bank, UNICEF, etc.), human rights institutions (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.), think tanks and research bodies. Past graduates have gone on to work as: researchers and lecturers in UCD, University of Bristol, Louisiana State University, and many other institutions; researchers with government agencies and departments; teachers at primary and secondary level; consultants with private firms including Deloitte & Touche and ACC Bank; aid workers in developing countries; marketing executives; GIS specialists; planners and local government officials. MA Geopolitics and the Global Economy
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy Entrance requirements Applicants should have at least a second class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent, preferably in a related discipline. MA Geopolitics and the Global Economy Further Information Director of MA in Geopolitics and the Global Economy: Dr. Julien Mercille - julien.mercille@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc. available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/mageopolitics Erin Mattson, MA student from the USA I am so grateful to have this opportunity to do my MA in UCD. The professors are very knowledgeable in their fields and show an interest in each individual student. The classes are engaging, challenging and will prepare me for a change in career.
Graduate Programmes MA in Urban Studies (1 year) Why is this course for me? The MA in Urban Studies equips students with an in-depth understanding of cities; development; the knowledge economy; globalization and the environment. The programme comprises of coursework, a dissertation, and fieldwork in an overseas location (recent trips have included Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Istanbul). The MA in Urban Studies will provide a solid grounding in the key knowledge and skills required by a geographer specializing in urban geography. It also gives the opportunity for interdisciplinary study through a range of optional modules offered by other Schools within UCD. What will I study? The MA in Urban Studies will provide you with the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge covering topics focussing on the range of issues - historical and contemporary - facing cities and regions. During the course you will undertake a cohesive set of core modules covering a broad base of key skill and knowledge sets and you will also have the opportunity to select a number of optional modules
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy that allow you to focus in greater depth on specific subject areas. These optional modules introduce the opportunity for interdisciplinary study with, for example, courses offered by the Schools of Architecture and Sociology available to you as a student on this programme. Certain courses normally only available to students taking one of the professional planning programmes within the School of GPEP are also open to you. The final component of the MA in Urban Studies is the opportunity to further enhance your specialist interests and hone your research skills by completing of a thesis, involving primary research under the supervision of an experienced academic, on a topic of your choice. Career Prospects MA in Urban Studies This programme will provide you with a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers. Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral study, professional training in planning, law, business or related disciplines, consultancy work, research careers in the private sector, public service or with community groups, or a number of other careers. Past graduates have gone on to work as: researchers and lecturers in UCD, University of Bristol, Louisiana State University, and many other institutions; researchers with government agencies and departments; teachers at primary and secondary level; consultants with private firms including Deloitte & Touche and ACC Bank; aid workers in developing countries; marketing executives; GIS specialists; planners and local government officials.
Graduate Programmes Entrance requirements Applicants should have at least a second class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent, preferably in a related discipline. Further Information Director of MA in Urban Studies: Dr. Julien Mercille - julien.mercille@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc. available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/maurbanstudies Tanya Yavid From various master degree courses provided by different colleges I chose this MA as the most relevant to my undergraduate degree which I completed in Belarus. Considering my background and interest the modules provide a helpful framework and skills for writing my minor thesis. I really enjoy this course; it is interesting, challenging and highly beneficial. I would recommend it to people with international background. MA in Urban Studies
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy MA Geography (1 year) Why is this course for me? The MA in Geography equips students with an in-depth understanding of geographical issues and problems in a number of areas such as: environmental issues to world politics and economics, climate change, urban processes and landscapes, geomorphology and mapping. The programme comprises of coursework, a dissertation, and fieldwork in Ireland or in Europe (varies by year). The MA in Geography provides the opportunity to develop one s geographical skillset to a high level and also to hone one s skills in independent research under the supervision of a member of an experienced member of academic staff. As such it is excellent preparation for a career or further research degree. What will I study? The MA in Geography will provide you with the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge covering topics from human to environmental and physical geography. During the course you will undertake a cohesive set of core modules covering a broad base of key skill and knowledge sets and you will also have the opportunity to select a number of optional modules that allow you to focus in greater depth on specific subject areas like US foreign
Graduate Programmes policy, the physical geography of cities and the international economic crisis. The final component of the MA in Geography is the opportunity to further enhance your specialist interests and hone your research skills by completing of a thesis, involving primary research under the supervision of an experienced academic, on a topic of your choice. Career Prospects This programme will provide you with a range of academic and transferable skills that will be a benefit in many careers. Graduates of this programme may progress to doctoral study, careers in government, international aid agencies, global multilateral agencies (United Nations, World Bank, UNICEF, etc.), human rights institutions (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, etc.), think tanks and research bodies. Past graduates have gone on to work as: teachers at primary and secondary level; researchers with government agencies and departments; consultants with private firms including Deloitte & Touche and ACC Bank; aid workers in developing countries; marketing executives; GIS specialists; planners and local government officials; researchers and lecturers in UCD, University of Bristol, Louisiana State University, and many other institutions. Entrance requirements Applicants should have at least a second class honours degree (2:2) or equivalent, preferably in a related discipline. MA Geography
UCD School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy Further information Director of MA in Geography: Dr. Julien Mercille - julien.mercille@ucd.ie Graduate Administrator: gpep.postgrad@ucd.ie Further information on application process, fees etc. available on: www.ucd.ie/gpep/mageography/ Mei Han, MA student from China The MA Geography has been a great benefit to me. I have learned very strong analytical skills in geography. There are quite a few optional modules that I could choose based on my interests and research orientation. The lecturers are all professional and nice, always patient with my questions.. MA Geography