Birmingham City University’s School of the Built Environment and School of Law have partnered up to deliver a new Masters pro- gramme, covering both built and natural environments.
Starting in September 2015, the new postgraduate programme includes the only planning law course in the UK to be accred- ited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with a module delivered by Natural England, the government’s statutory adviser for the natural environment.
Trudi Elliot, Chief Executive of RTPI, welcomes the new develop- ment: “Choosing a career in plan- ning is smart at a time when it is in the top four subjects for gradu- ate employment. The BCU course also opens up opportunities for a bursary from the RTPI future plan- ners fund.”
Alister Scott, course director and Professor of Environment and Spatial Planning at Birmingham City University, added: “After 18 months of researching the market and consulting with practition- ers from a wide range of planning positions, we are excited to have this new Masters course ready and accredited by the RTPI to suit those wanting rewarding careers in planning and planning law.
“The planning profession needs well-trained and adaptable gradu- ates who are equipped to deal with complex, messy planning and the associated legal challeng- es that play out day-to-day across our UK built and natural environ- ments.”
The course includes practice- based assessments and brings economic, social and environ- mental perspectives to life to
tackle spatial planning challeng- es. Course pathways also foster awareness of European planning with an international field trip which students are able to shape to suit their career interests.
Emma Johnson, Natural Eng- land’s North Mercia Area Manager, commented: “The practice-based knowledge and expertise that
Natural England can bring to this course will not only improve an understanding of how we operate, but also equip students with pol- icy and practice-relevant insights to become effective negotiators and collaborators of well-crafted development projects where the environment is valued as an asset, not just a constraint.”
