Our degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy is about solving complex issues that we experience in our everyday lives. How can we provide housing for everyone? How can we reduce our climate impact and conserve our natural environment? Where should we build our schools and shops? This unique degree brings together a focus on the city, the environment and design and links them with clear routes to professions and careers.
Why is this course for me?
Our degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy is about solving complex issues that we experience in our everyday lives. How can we provide housing for everyone? How can we reduce our climate impact and conserve our natural environment? Where should we build our schools and shops? This unique degree brings together a focus on the city, the environment and design and links them with clear routes to professions and careers.
So, if you are considering a career as a qualified planner or environmental policy analyst this degree is for you. These professions allow you to visualise new patterns and ideas for cities and to bring this vision to reality by activating social change and promoting sustainable development. This course gives you the skills to enable real world change.
International Study Opportunities
Students have the opportunity in the second trimester of third year to pursue a workbased project (either through an internship or practice-based project) or to study abroad. Students have previously studied in countries such as France, Netherlands, USA.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
On completion of this degree students will gain the necessary professional accreditation to pursue a career as a professional planner. If students wish to develop further skills and knowledge they may choose to pursue graduate study, through either an MSc or PhD.
With a growing need for planners in Ireland and further afield our graduates find employment in:
Government and local authorities
Planning and environmental consultancies
Local and regional development organisations
Private companies (marketing/location/real estate/ infrastructure/renewable energy)
Non-governmental organisations (environmental/ heritage/international development).
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
Expected October 2025
More details
Start date
September 2025
UCD College of Engineering and Architecture
Room 122 & Room 126,
UCD Engineering and Materials Science Centre,
BELFIELD,
Dublin,
Republic of Ireland
There are minimum entry requirements that all applicants, applying based on school leaving results, must meet.
IELTS - An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version;
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section;
English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 176+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English), Acceptable Examinations:
Proficiency Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2).
Advanced Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)
First Certificate, Grade A (i.e. CEFR Level C1)
Pearson English Language Text: Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section.
Duolingo English Test (DET) - The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 110 is required with at least 100 in each sub score. This test of English will be reviewed during 2021 and a decision taken as to whether it should continue to be acceptable.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
UCD is the most international and diverse university in Ireland, and is the destination of choice for over 10,400 international students.
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