Course description
MRes / PGDip / PGCert
The Master of Research in Urban Planning links a research training course with advanced studies in spatial planning. It is recognised for Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 1+3 funded studentships. It is designed primarily, although not exclusively, to enable you to link a course of substantive research training to the subsequent pursuit of a doctorate.
The course is modular in structure and includes training in spatial planning and in research methods and methodology. You will undertake a dissertation of 15,000 words and will also have the opportunity to become involved in research projects of the School's Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development.
The course is based at Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane, Oxford.
Course content
The MRes consists of five core modules, an optional module, and the dissertation, representing 190 master's-level credits in total. Research methods modules include the Philosophy of Research; Qualitative Methods and Inquiry by Design; and Statistical Analysis Using SPSS. The dissertation comprises Research Design and Strategies and the dissertation itself. The two core substantive modules are Spatial Planning in Action and Planning Theory. The option can be chosen from an array of modules in the planning studies fields offered within the School, such as planning in developing countries, transport, tourism and urban regeneration. Routes also exist which enable you to take two core modules from the fields outlined above.
The PGDip and PGCert are available as exit awards only, the PGDip requiring 130 credits and the PGCert requiring 70 credits.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching methods reflect the wide variety of topics and techniques associated with spatial planning and research, and include lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips, and research project shadowing. The majority of the assessment is based on coursework, such as essays, seminar papers, presentations and the dissertation.
Quality
Oxford Brookes has offered a graduate urban or spatial planning course in Oxford for many years, and is acknowledged as a leading provider of planning education in the UK. We have over 30 teaching and research staff and our students are drawn from across the British Isles and internationally. Our reputation is built on our student centredness, our teaching and research excellence, innovation and service to the community and professional organisations, and our educational philosophy, which seeks to embrace planning education in its widest sense.
Planning achieved 4 in the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Research staff are drawn primarily from the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (part of the School of Built Environment), but with some contributions from other schools, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. Visiting speakers from local government, non-governmental organisations, the development industry, regulatory bodies, planning consultancies and research bodies provide further input.
