Why postgraduate study in planning matters now, more than ever
Human geography and planning sit at the centre of some of the most important issues facing us today. Climate change, housing, transport, regeneration, inequality, environmental protection and sustainable development are no longer separate debates – they’re connected challenges that affect how people live, and how places work.
At Cardiff University, postgraduate taught programmes are designed around those contemporary policy and research issues. Rather than treating geography and planning as unique subjects, they’re placed in the context of the real issues facing cities, regions and communities.
Study rooted in policy and practice
Cardiff University offers a wide range of postgraduate courses, each rooted in key policy and research areas. You’ll explore how cities can grow sustainably, how transport systems can better serve communities, how environmental policy can support long-term resilience, and how development can be planned in ways that are more equitable and effective.
These are issues being tackled across government, industry and the third sector, so what you study is grounded in policy and practice. Several of Cardiff University’s courses also offer accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT), giving employers added confidence in the professional relevance of your studies.
Skills for a wide range of careers
Cardiff University’s programmes equip you with the skills to analyse evidence, understand the social and environmental implications of decisions, and communicate ideas clearly. That might lead you to a career in planning, urban design, development, transport, sustainability or environmental policy, or it could open routes into research, consultancy, public service or international work.
Those skills are in strong demand – 98 per cent of Cardiff University graduates were in employment and/or further study or doing other activities such as travelling, 15 months after their course ended (Graduate Outcomes survey 2022/23).
Learning in Cardiff
As the capital city of Wales, Cardiff offers a rich setting for learning about planning, sustainability, development and urban change. You’ll learn about live policy debates and work on real examples of how places adapt, invest and evolve, connecting classroom discussion to the wider social, political and environmental context.
The work you’ll do concerns the relationship between people, policy and place, and the practical choices that shape everyday life. At a time when those choices matter more than ever, Cardiff University postgraduate programmes give you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the most urgent global and local issues, while building the skills to make a real difference.
“The programme has challenged me to examine the impact of human activities on climate and how to critically analyse the current policies and regulations related to this topic. The professors explain complex theories clearly and are open to answering any queries, always encouraging us to participate in conversations to foster better engagement with our field of study.
Laura Centurion Gonzalvez
Sustainability Planning and Environmental Policy (MSc)
