PgCert Transport Planning

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

Funding available*

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, 1 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability
Careers

The course has been developed with input from local authorities and industry experts to address current challenges within the field, including climate change and decarbonisation. The diverse range of topics studied ensures that you will stand out from the crowd.

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.

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 PGCert Transport Planning 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.

Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning

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

Find out more about the MSc Transport Planning (with Advanced Research)

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 as well as 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 focuses on key issues within the transport sector, ensuring you are able to future-proof your knowledge and career. Current topics studied include:

decarbonisation
place-making
operational transport planning
transport and behavioural change
travel planning
transport data modelling and analysis.

Throughout the course, you’ll have access to specialist online software, including NVivo and SPSS, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You’ll also have the opportunity to go on field trips: the European Planning Transport Practice module includes a six-day trip to Europe to explore transport planning systems of European cities. Field trips also form part of other modules such as Operational Transport Planning and Community Engagement in the Planning Process.

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?

The postgraduate certificate is offered full-time only as a semester A September intake for one year or semester B January intake for one year.

The majority of teaching is delivered through lectures, workshops, field trips and masterclasses. 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 are explored, with core modules as follows:

European 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 which is of personal interest by undertaking a research project. You’ll be supported by an experienced dissertation supervisor based within the geography, environment and planning subject group. The research project is an individual in-depth research project that will 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 planning issues are researched, monitored, and evaluated.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Transport Policy, Strategy and Law	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides a systematic introduction to critical transport planning issues, including knowledge and requirements of relevant professional transport planning organisations. It provides the necessary transport policy, organisational, financial, and legislative background. The module will describe the rationale for transport planning and various factors influencing transport policies. Transport data, information, assessment requirements, funding streams, legislation and implementation are also explored. Examples of successful and unsuccessful transport projects will be evaluated with reference to the UK and internationally. The impact of transport interventions on people and place will be debated. Invited guest speakers will be those influential to transport planning roles.
Transport, Development and Viability	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is divided into two parts: It will provide a critical understanding of the principles and methods of assessment of transport and development schemes. It questions the objectives and outcomes Transport Planners intend to achieve, including environmental impact analysis, central government Webtag system and how different schemes can be evaluated. It will also explore the transport planning impacts of proposed developments including traffic impact, travel planning measures, parking, access and loading and availability and deliverability of sustainable travel modes. This includes an appreciation of the discussions and debates which surround developments, planning permissions and the consideration of typical planning criteria and policies.
Transport Data Collection and Analysis	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce transport data collection and analysis techniques for transport, traffic, parking, public transport and operational travel planning. Aspects covered include: primary data collection techniques, the utilisation of secondary data, quantitative/qualitative analysis techniques for transport data, the application of geographic information and local and strategic modelling in transport and travel planning. The issues and limitations surrounding the use of spatial data such as Ordnance Survey data access/use rights and the geo- coding of primary data are also covered.
Community Engagement and the Planning Process	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to introduce students to the concept of public participation, and its development into stakeholder engagement, within the planning process. Students will investigate the various ways, statutory and otherwise, planners, developers and other stakeholders must involve public participation and community engagement in various projects. Key skills in engaging with stakeholders will be developed, along with a range of engagement and presentational skills.
Study Skills	0 Credits	Compulsory
The content will cover finding and using reliable resources and how to use appropriate academic expression for different forms of academic communications including essays, reports, abstracts, executive summaries, essays, poster and oral presentations. Attention will be paid to ensuring that students have the skills necessary to use text matching software to avoid plagiarism and enhance scholarship skills. Teaching resources will also cover an introduction to using statistics and graphs, and there will be an in-class GIS session. Indicative subjects include: Effective reading and note taking in lectures Choosing reliable sources Use of text references and avoiding plagiarism/collusion Writing assignments Teamwork Time and project management The use of Excel formulae Exam preparation Oral presentation and visual materials e.g., PowerPoint and preparing a poster Using maps and GIS software to support research.

Key staff

Senior Research Assistant Alexandra Buckland Stubbs

Find out more about Senior Research Assistant 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
PgCert Transport Planning	Download

Programme specifications
PgCert Transport Planning	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.

Funding and fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

A bursary for the course may be available from the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Bursary Scheme 2021/22.

Find out more about the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund Bursary Scheme.

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
20/09/2024 30/09/2025 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
17/01/2025 31/01/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
20/09/2025 30/09/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
17/01/2026 31/01/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
20/09/2024	30/09/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
17/01/2025	31/01/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
20/09/2025	30/09/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
17/01/2026	31/01/2027	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

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PgCert Transport Planning

Why choose Herts?

Funding available*

Careers

What job can I get?

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation

2024

2025