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MSc Transport Planning with Advanced Research

Why choose Herts?

  • Industry-informed teaching: explore current developments in the field to ensure you develop the essential skills to meet the needs of employers and respond to challenges both now and in the future
  • Online software and research expertise: take advantage of access to specialist online software, including NVivo and SPSS, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), as well as the University of Hertfordshire’s expertise in the Smart Mobility Unit
  • Specialised pathways: the course gives you the opportunity to explore a range of specialised modules and pathways, including a placement year and advanced research route
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Funding available*

  • Entry requirements and key information

    The entry requirements for the programme are:

    • an Honours degree in a cognate discipline, for instance geography, normally with a minimum classification of second-class (2.2) or higher
    • graduates with an Honours degree in any discipline who have otherwise demonstrated potential to succeed at postgraduate level will be considered for admission

    All international students are required to demonstrate English Language capability of IELTs 6.5 or equivalent English language qualification. The course uses some technical terminology and requires students to write and present verbally in a variety of formats, including submitting written assignments, presentations, creation of posters and oral presentation of work. Confidence and competence in both written and spoken Engish as well as ability to use a variety of basic computer packages is necessary in order for students to engage effectively with the taught content.

    The programme is subject to the University's Principles, Policies and Regulations for the Admission of Students to Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Programmes (in UPR SA03), along with associated procedures.

    These will take account of University policy and guidelines for assessing accredited prior certificated learning (APCL) and accredited prior experiential learning (APEL).

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Life and Medical Sciences

    Course length
  • Full Time, 2 Years
    		•

    Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
    		•
  • Employability

    Careers

    The course has been developed with input from local authorities and industry experts in order to address current challenges within the field, including climate change and decarbonisation. The diverse range of topics addressed throughout the course will ensure that you are well-equipped to stand out from the crowd upon graduation.

    What job can I get?

    Throughout the course you’ll develop highly relevant and desirable skills and knowledge to be able to excel in a career in transport planning. Examples of future career paths and roles include:

    • transport planning consultant
    • transport manager
    • central and local governments (management and officer level)
    • spatial and data analyst
    • travel planner.

    Work placement

    The course is available with an optional one-year industry placement.

    You’ll have the opportunity to work for one-year, full-time in a highly professional and stimulating environment. You’ll develop an understanding of the real-world applications of your skills and knowledge and use them to address challenges.

    Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning (with Placement Year).

Professional Accreditations

Accreditation is currently being sought from the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) bodies, including:

  • Transport Planning Society (TPS)
  • Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport (CIHT)

The course is designed to satisfy the requirements of the accrediting bodies.

About the course

The MSc Transport Planning with Advanced Research will provide you with both the theoretical grounding and practical skills that you’ll need to satisfy the requirements of employers both now and in the future.

Driven by the demand for the delivery of zero carbon interventions, poor air quality and wider social exclusion problems, there is an increasing demand for highly skilled and multi-disciplined professionals within transport planning. 

The climate change imperative has shaken central and local government. It has caused authorities to declare climate emergencies and seek practical solutions to these new and important challenges.

Many have introduced transport policies and invested significant funding for transport programmes. They’re also rethinking how transport is delivered to include projects focussed specifically on achieving zero carbon and intelligent transport networks.

So, whether you have an interest in transport planning, or if you’re a professional who wants to gain a transport planning qualification, it’s an exciting time to explore transport planning and discover the impact you can have on communities for years to come.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore a range of specialised modules, pathways and learning outcomes.

The course offers three pathways:

MSc Transport Planning - a series of block-based (two or three day) modules, covering a variety of topics aimed at building the skills required for transport planning careers. This includes a piece of individual transport planning research (dissertation) undertaken by the student. Start dates are September and January.

MSc Transport Planning with Placement - in addition to the transport planning modules, this course offers the opportunity to undertake a 30 week work placement in a transport-related environment. It is aimed at those who wish to gain experience towards building a professional career. This is a September start only.

MSc Transport Planning with Advanced Research - in addition to the transport planning modules, this course offers the opportunity to undertake an internship with the Smart Mobility Unit and to produce an extended piece of transport planning research. It is aimed at those able to demonstrate experience of research who might be considering a PhD or a research-based career. Start dates are September and January.

All of the course options will equip you with the knowledge to address the current challenges within the field, whilst developing your expertise in transport planning within a low-carbon environment. 

If you have any questions about the course, please email Ms Sue Walsh.

Why choose this course?

You’ll develop a broad knowledge base and understanding of transport provision in relation to planning and place-making, environmental climate change and its mitigation, and designing transport systems to support sustainable economic development.

You’ll be equipped with the knowledge to address the current challenges within the field. The course is delivered within an overarching framework which focuses on key issues within the transport sector ensuring you are able to future-proof your knowledge and career. Current topics the course addresses include decarbonisation, place-making, transport and behavioural change, travel planing, operational transport planning and transport data modelling and analysis.

You’ll have access to the expertise of staff based within the University’s Smart Mobility Unit (SMU). You’ll also have the opportunity to actively engage with the research activities and meeting of the SMU including engaging with the wide activities of the Unit’s industry collaborators and partners. The areas of interest of the SMU include:

  • travel planning
  • change management
  • transport-related behaviour change
  • intelligent transport systems
  • operational transport planning
  • smart ticketing
  • automatic number place recognition (ANPR)
  • big data analysis
  • spatial mapping.

Throughout the course, you’ll also have access to specialist online software, including NVivo and SPSS, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You will also have the opportunity to go on field trips locally and further afield. The programme includes a residential field trip as part of our Comparative Transport Planning Practice module within a different transport planning system. There are also several field trips within various modules, including Operational Transport Planning and Community Engagement in the Planning Process. Any travel and accommodation costs of field trips are included in course fees.

We're proud to have 91% overall satisfaction for geography, earth and environmental studies in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024). You can be confident in knowing you're receiving an exceptional learning experience when you study this course.

What will I study?

This course is offered full-time only as a semester A September intake for two years or semester B January intake for two years.

The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, field trips and master classes. You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including oral presentations, reflective journals, written reports and essays.

A range of exciting and current topics within the field are explored, with core modules as follows:

  • Comparative Planning and Transport Practice
  • Understanding and Managing Change
  • Sustainable Energy
  • Transport Policy, Strategy and Law
  • Community Engagement and the Planning Process.

The course will equip you with highly desirable knowledge and skills: you will expand your expertise in transport policy and the administrative frameworks within which transport schemes are developed, assessed, financed, monitored and reviewed. You will deepen your understanding of the laws, regulations and guidance in which transport planners work as well as the operational management of commercial and public transport systems and services using real-world scenarios.  The principles of community involvement, stakeholder engagement and public consultation in the identification of transport needs and the development of transport policies, plans, projects and services (including alternative approaches and their relative effectiveness will also be explored.

You’ll also have the opportunity to explore an area of transport planning of personal interest through your Extended Research Project. You’ll be supported by an experienced dissertation supervisor based within the geography, environment and planning subject group. The Extended Research Project is an individual in-depth research project that will give you the opportunity to critically explore a relevant transport-related topic in a research and/or professional setting. The aim of the project is for you to develop detailed knowledge and greater understanding of how transport planning issues are researched, monitored, and evaluated.

Throughout your learning journey, you’ll be supported by a team of dedicated professionals. You’ll be given a personal tutor for academic and pastoral support, as well as guidance from a programme leader to help you navigate the course structure and content. You’ll also have the opportunity to become a part of a vibrant student community and be entitled to join the GEPSoc (Geography, Environment and Planning Student Society).

Find out more about GEPSoc (Geography, Environment and Planning Student Society).

  • Level 7
    ModuleCreditsCompulsory/optional
    Research Methods15 CreditsCompulsory
    Operational Transport Planning15 CreditsCompulsory
    Transport Policy, Strategy and Law15 CreditsCompulsory
    Transport, Development and Viability15 CreditsCompulsory
    Transport Data Collection and Analysis15 CreditsCompulsory
    Community Engagement and the Planning Process15 CreditsCompulsory
    Comparative Planning and Transport Practice15 CreditsCompulsory
    Sustainable Energy15 CreditsCompulsory
    Understanding & Managing Change15 CreditsCompulsory
    Study Skills0 CreditsCompulsory

    • Key staff

    Alexandra Buckland Stubbs
    Senior Research Assistant
    Find out more about Alexandra Buckland Stubbs

    Dr Scott Copsey

    Find out more about Dr Scott Copsey

    Ms Sue Walsh
    Programme Leader and Admissions Tutor
    Find out more about Ms Sue Walsh

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    MSc Transport Planning with Advanced Research Download
    Programme specifications
    MSc Transport Planning with Advanced Research Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 Yes

    The industry is desperately short of transport planners, especially those who have the energy and drive to take on the environmental challenges and enable technological changes to progress us to a sustainable future … The new Transport Planning masters is an ideal route into the transport sector and there are huge opportunities in a massively diverse range of areas and interests, from global policy to autonomous drone freight solutions.

    Graduate MSc in Sustainable Planning with Transport

    Employed as a Local Plan and Strategic Development Assistant Manager of WSP (Transport Consultancy)

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

    Find out about how we support our students

    You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.