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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Ready for a career in urban planning? Our industry accredited MSc Infrastructure Planning and Sustainable Development will challenge your thinking and boost your expertise in tackling some of the most pressing issues facing cities in the Global South.
Understanding the latest thinking in infrastructure planning is key to your success. That’s why we’ve developed this course in collaboration with practitioners working in the industry. You’ll learn what it takes to bring together various stakeholders to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes in an urban context.
We’ll arm you with the knowledge and problem-solving approaches you need to be a confident decision-maker. Transport, power and water are all important hard infrastructure to consider. You’ll also look at social infrastructure such as housing, schools and hospitals that are vital for the wellbeing of communities.
This course is the perfect if you want to develop your career working in:
 government
 planning consultancies
 development NGOs
 international development agencies
 major development companies.
Course structure
You’ll develop a critical understanding of planning approaches and methodologies fit for the 21st century. At the same time, you’ll see how the sector can tackle urgent global issues such as climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequalities in cities.
You’ll explore the social, environmental, and economic impacts of infrastructure development. And discover different approaches to enable informed and inclusive decision-making in rapidly growing cities.
You can take part in an international field trip. In recent years we have been visiting Rio de Janeiro. This gives you hands-on experience of processes of urban change and policy challenges in the urban context.
With a module focused on finance, you’ll look at financing strategies, financial appraisals, funding models, and cost recovery options. Our students enjoy the practice-based module. It gives you the chance to collaborate with practitioners and local stakeholders to propose infrastructure projects abroad or locally.
Learning and teaching
Full time students
Teaching includes:
 lectures
 seminars
 field trips
 skills workshops
 practical and project work.
Your study time is:
 two x 2-hour sessions per week and a one hour online group tutorial for each of the two core modules
 a weekly 1½ hour session for research methods
 independent learning and work on assignments.
Distance learning
Online learning is through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Teaching methods (available to both full-time and part-time students) in a semester include:
 two x 2-hour weekly teaching sessions and 1-hour group tutorial for each of the core modules online
 recorded lectures
 discussion forums
 online group working for assessments.
You'll have the opportunity for face-to-face contact for the Intensive Study Periods. Some practical elements of the teaching, in particular, in the module ‘Development in Practice’ requires part-time students to be present in teaching sessions, although this can take place online.
Complete your MSc award by writing a dissertation on a topic of your choice with regular tutorial support.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Sustainable Development (30 credits)
This module introduces you to the nature of infrastructure planning challenges in the Global South and provides a grounding in the objectives of spatial planning practice. It situates infrastructure planning in the context of current global trends including urbanisation, climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing urban social inequalities. This will provide you with the building blocks for assessing alternative approaches to infrastructure planning and delivery that allow for more inclusive and sustainable development. You will consider the benefits of integrated urban planning, decentralised approaches, circular models and forms of co-production that acknowledge the diverse ways in which urban dwellers already access basic services in contexts of scarcity.
Infrastructure Finance (30 credits)
Learn about the theory and practice of financing the development, renewal, repair and maintenance of infrastructure. You’ll look at how infrastructure is financed as well as alternative funding models, cost recovery options, and sources of finance. The module also examines the roles of key actors and reviews the approaches and tools used for decision making in a variety of different contexts and under conditions of uncertainty. A key element of your learning will be understanding how to critically appraise infrastructure development proposals and to evaluate the financial and economic implications of different development options and strategies. The module is introductory in nature and no prior economics or financial training is needed.
Governance and Political Economy (30 credits)
Develop a firm understanding of governance and decision-making processes involved in the planning and delivery of different types of infrastructure. Your learning will be informed by political economy and institutional frameworks and explore different methods for addressing the broader societal impacts that arise from infrastructure delivery. Teaching involves the critical evaluation of real case studies from around the globe which are delivered by our practitioners. You also have the option to participate in an international field trip to widen your understanding.
Development in Practice (30 credits)
This module will equip you with a working knowledge of the key frameworks and approaches used to design and implement small scale development projects and programmes. You will learn on the job, experimenting and bringing together your broad knowledge base and skills to design an actual project. Students begin by learning how to research and critically assess a development context using participatory and other approaches. You then use your critical analysis to design an infrastructure project considering development goals and addressing the challenges of infrastructure delivery on the project site.
Research Methods in Design (10 credits)
A critical overview of research methods and skills relevant to investigative research in the field of planning.
Final Project
Compulsory modules
Dissertation (50 credits)
An individual research project conducted under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff, on a topic related to sustainable infrastructure delivery to be agreed between you and your supervisor.
Research
The School of the Built Environment has an impressive list of funders and clients covering UK and EU government, research funding councils and industry.
 the European Commission
 UK Government/Agencies
 local government
 the commercial sector.
Research areas and clusters
Infrastructure and energy continue to be a key focus as they are the essential components of a rapidly urbanising world.
Research groups:
 Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
 Land Design and Development (LDD)
 Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent).
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can effectively portray suitable credentials, and usually have an appropriate professional background.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
You will be assessed solely by coursework. There are no examinations on the programme due to the problem-solving nature of our teaching methods.
You will develop and practise different skills based on the range of assessment methods which include:
report writing
 verbal presentations
 essays
 journal entries
 problem solving exercises
 critical evaluations
 collaborative group assignments.
Start this course in January
You have the option to start this course in January. You will study a range of modules between January and May. During the summer months of June, July and August you will study further modules and begin work on your dissertation. Between September and December you will complete your final modules and focus on your dissertation.
Career Opportunities
A range of employers are looking for graduates in this area including local and international planning consultancies, local authorities, bilateral and multilateral development agencies and large NGOs.
Whether you’re looking to move into a new career or you’re using the course for career development, you’ll develop plenty of practical, career-enhancing skills at Oxford Brookes. We’ve designed the course collaboration with professional
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