Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeships

Program Overview

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The Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship at London South Bank University is a degree program accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute that combines taught modules with work-based learning to equip students with the skills to become effective town planners. The program offers three pathways, including a specialized Urban Design track, and emphasizes lifelong learning, career development, and working with stakeholders to shape the future of places.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Chartered Town Planner Apprenticeship is a fully accredited program by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). It offers three pathways:

• PG Dip Chartered Town Planner (Degree Apprenticeship - Entry point 1): This pathway is for students with Level 4 qualifications and lasts for 60 months.
• MA Chartered Town Planner (Degree Apprenticeship – Entry point 2): This pathway is for students with a minimum of a 2:2 degree and lasts for 24 months.
• MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design) (Degree Apprenticeship – Entry point 2): This pathway is for students with a minimum of a 2:2 degree and specializes in urban design.
It also lasts for 24 months. The program aims to equip students with the technical and managerial skills needed to become effective town planners. It emphasizes lifelong learning, career development, and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders to shape the future of places.

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Outline:

The program is structured around a combination of taught modules and Planning Practice Modules, which involve guided, work-based learning.

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Level 4 Entry PG DIP Chartered Town Planner:

• Taught Modules:
• Making Sustainable Places
• Planning History and Principles
• Development Management
• Plans, People and Processes
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 1: The Professional Planning Environment
• PPM 2: Interpersonal Skills and Professional Behaviours

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Level 5:

• Taught Modules:
• Environmental Change: Issue and Impacts
• Strategies, Visions and Design
• Planning for Housing
• Local Economic Development
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 3: Plantech
• PPM 4: Community Engagement and Participation

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Level 6:

• Taught Modules:
• Evidence Based Planning
• Real Estate Valuation
• International Planning Perspectives
• Cities and Representations
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 5: Planning Practice Project (double module)

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Level 7:

• Taught Modules:
• Planning, Politics and Theory
• The Making of Place
• Specialism (choose one):
• Housing and Regeneration
• Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobilities
• Urban Design Project
• Planning Law in Practice
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
• PPM 7: Professional Profile

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Level 7 Entry: MA Chartered Town Planner:

• Taught Modules:
• Planning, Politics and Theory
• The Making of Place
• Specialism (choose one):
• Housing and Regeneration
• Sustainable Infrastructure and Mobilities
• Urban Design Project
• Planning Law in Practice
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
• PPM 7: Professional Profile
• Dissertation

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Level 7 Entry: MA Chartered Town Planner (Urban Design):

• Taught Modules:
• Planning, Politics and Theory
• The Making of Place
• Urban Design Project
• Design and Property Development
• Planning Practice Modules:
• PPM 6 Learning from Best Practice in Spatial Planning
• PPM 7: Professional Profile
• Dissertation

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Assessment:

• Assessment is primarily through coursework, including essays, reports, site analysis, plan interpretation, plan and policy compilation, portfolio development, mock inquiries, and proposal viability analysis.
• A Gateway assessment must be completed before the End Point Assessment, demonstrating satisfactory completion of all program aspects, including modules, e-portfolio, personal development plan, and continuing professional development plan.
• The End Point Assessment is the final stage, involving a professional discussion and submission of an evidence portfolio to demonstrate mastery of skills, knowledge, and behaviors.

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Teaching:

• Teaching is delivered through day release and reflective work-based learning.
• The program includes a three-day field-based induction, a Level 4 field trip, site visits and analysis in London, and summer schools in preparation for major projects and end point assessments.

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Careers:

• Town planners work in both the public and private sectors, shaping the future of places through policy and plan making, development control, enforcement, and conservation.
• The program provides opportunities to develop skills and behaviors essential for a successful career in town planning, including negotiation, compromise, recommendation, communication, legal understanding, and ethical decision-making.
• The on-the-job element of the apprenticeship allows students to network with industry professionals and build a network for future career support.
• Students become student members of the RTPI, gaining access to seminars, publications, and professional opportunities.

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Other:

• LSBU is ranked No.
1 in the UK for overall satisfaction in Planning (National Student Survey 2018).
• The program offers three specialist pathways: Housing and Regeneration, Sustainable Infrastructures and Mobilities, and Urban Design.
• The Level 4 residential field trip is included in the course fees (excluding subsistence).
• Local site visits in London may require students to pay local travel costs.
• The University is awaiting accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
• The Royal Town Planning Institute is the largest planning institute in Europe, with over 23,000 members.