BSc BSc in City Planning & Environmental Policy

The BSc (Hons) in City Planning & Environmental Policy (RCS3) at University College Dublin is a four-year honours degree that blends urban and regional planning principles with environmental sustainability, policy analysis, design thinking and socio-economic understanding to address contemporary challenges in cities and environments. It suits students who want to shape sustainable built and natural environments, influencing policy, planning practice, community development and environmental quality through evidence-based solutions.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Foundations in Planning and Environment

In the first year, students build core knowledge in planning, environmental policy and analytical thinking with modules such as Introduction to City Planning, Environmental Change & Policy, History of City Planning, Urban Design, Environmental Economics, and Inequality & Social Justice in Irish Society. These units introduce how cities grow and change, the fundamentals of urban design, and basic environmental policy considerations, while fostering critical thinking about planning’s role in sustainable development.

Year 2 – Applied Planning, GIS and Community Contexts

In the second year, the focus shifts toward local and community planning, geographical information systems (GIS) and environmental policy tools, with subjects like Local Planning Studio, Community Development & Planning, Geographical Information Systems, Case Studies in Environmental Policy, Socio-Spatial Dynamics and Rural Change, Development & Planning. Here students learn how planning responds to social, spatial and environmental challenges, using digital tools to analyse and map human environments.

Year 3 – Spatial Policy Application & Practice

In Year 3, learners expand their analytical and applied competencies through modules such as Smart Cities, Property and Planning, Environmental Impact Assessment, Urban Systems, Transport Policy, and other planning and policy integration coursework, often including opportunities for work-based projects or international study. This stage prepares students to apply planning and policy concepts to real-world scenarios that impact cities and communities.

Year 4 – Advanced Integration & Capstone Project

The final year emphasises synthesis and professional readiness with advanced modules, professional practice and a capstone research or design project that integrates planning theory, environmental policy analysis, spatial design and sustainability strategies. Students emerge prepared to work professionally in planning, community development, environmental consultancy or policy-oriented roles.

Focus areas 
Urban planning, environmental policy, spatial analysis, GIS, community development, sustainable design, environmental economics, planning law and socio-spatial dynamics.

Learning outcomes 
Apply urban planning and environmental policy principles; analyse spatial and socio-economic data; design sustainable urban and regional solutions; use GIS and analytical tools; integrate policy with practice; complete independent planning projects.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme prepares students for professional planning and policy roles and aligns with academic standards in planning and environmental practice; graduates can pursue further specialised qualifications or professional accreditation in planning and related fields.

Reputation (employability rankings):
UCD is ranked among the top universities globally, with strong interdisciplinary teaching and research in built environment, planning and sustainability, supporting high graduate employability in government, consultancy, NGO, urban design and planning sectors.