Postgraduate Optional Modules Guide

Step 3 - Choose 15 credits of optional modules from this list:

MSc International Development

Step 1 -  Core modules automatically added to your record:

Step 2 - Choose 30 credits of optional modules from this list:

Step 3 - Choose 60 credits of optional modules from this list:

MSc Environmental Science and Data

Step 1 - Core module (these are automatically added to your record):

Step 2 - Choose 15 credits of optional modules from this list:

MSc Urban and Regional Planning 

Step 1 - Core modules automatically added to your record:

Step 2 -  Choose 30 credits of optional modules from this list:

MSc Urban Design and Planning  

Step 1 -  Core modules automatically added to your record:

Step 2 - Choose 30 credits of optional modules from this list:

Step 3. Choose 60 credits of optional modules from this list:

Optional Module Descriptors 

GPL404 Design Dissertation

This module is a major research project that offers you the opportunity to develop and manage an individual research informed site-based urban design project, building on and extending knowledge gained from your wider programme. The module aims to help you develop and apply research design skills, site analysis and development skills, and visual communication skills. You will gain an appreciation of the issues involved in managing a research project; an understanding of the role of research in gaining a detailed understanding of a site and developing contextually appropriate site design solutions; and you will further deepen your knowledge and experience in a chosen field of urban design or planning. 

Research Proposal (1500 words) + site analysis                        15%

Research Ethics Application                                                              Pass/Fail 

Design Dissertation (8000 words)                                                    85%

GPL405 Dissertation

This is a core module which allows you to develop and manage an individual research project, building on and extending knowledge gained from your wider programme. The module aims to help you to develop and apply research skills and an appreciation of the issues involved in managing a research project; to develop an understanding of the role of research in relation to theoretical and practical dimensions of the chosen discipline; and to further deepen knowledge in your chosen field of planning, real estate, urban design, development, or related interests. 

Research Proposal (2500 words + proposed methods)             15%

Research Ethics Approval                                                                      Pass/Fail

Dissertation (10000 words)                                                                   85%

GPL410 Research Foundations   

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a supervised research project. You will make a detailed analysis of an issue, topic or problem agreed with your dissertation supervisor, develop a research proposal, carry out research, and produce a dissertation.

This module allows you to design and manage an individual, interdisciplinary research project, helping you to develop and apply research skills. You will build your understanding of the role of research in relation to the theoretical and practical dimensions of your discipline, and further deepen your knowledge of your chosen area of international development or sustainable development.

The module is supported by lectures, seminars, and one-to-one supervision. It includes core research methods required to undertake a dissertation at Master's level as well as learning how to carry out research ethically and systematically. 

Research Proposal (1500 words)                                       15%        

Ethics and Risk Assessment                                                Pass/Fail

Dissertation (10500 words)                                                  85%

GPL411 Research Foundations (with Placement)

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake experience of working (in-person or virtually) with an organisation involved in community development or advocacy and to combine this with the development of an independent research project on a related issue of your choice. To do this, you will make a detailed analysis of an issue, topic or problem agreed with the organisation, develop a research proposal, carry out research while on placement, and produce both a dissertation and a shorter consultancy-style report based on your dissertation findings. This module allows you to design and manage an individual, interdisciplinary research project, helping you to develop and apply research skills. You will build your understanding of the role of research in relation to the theoretical and practical dimensions of your chosen discipline; and to further deepen your knowledge of your chosen area of international development or sustainable development. The module is supported by lectures, seminars and one-to-one supervision. It includes core research methods required to undertake a dissertation at Master's level in the field of International Development, as well as learning how to carry out research ethically and collaboratively. 

Research Proposal                                                                                                        15%

Ethics and Risk Assessment                                                                                     Pass/Fail 

Dissertation (9000words)                                                                                           70%

Executive summary: Report and Recommendations (1500words)          15%

GPL417 Urban Informality        

The overall aim of this module is to critically examine urban informality, with a particular but not exclusive focus on cities of the Global South. You will get to explore theoretical understandings of urban informality, and look at how it affects ways of living, such as land use, housing and basic services, working lives and politics. Using a broad range of material to bring the topic to life, including non-conventional sources - such as fiction, poetry, photography, and other media - the module helps you develop learning and research on this topic.

The module relies on a mixture of lectures, seminars and student-led group work, with the latter focusing on an in-depth case study of a selected city. It explores patterns and causes of informality and discusses the strengths and limitations of a range of theoretical approaches. It also analyses the success of different real-world urban planning responses (understood in broad terms), including government-led, donor-led and community-focused ones, in addressing key urban issues in the context of informality.

Through this you will be able to learn how to describe the key characteristics of living, working, and governing informally, and related spatial, economic, cultural, environmental, political, social and historical and temporal factors, with focus on cities of the Global South and North. You will also be able to learn how to analyse and explain these characteristics, with reference to a range of academic and non-academic sources. The module focuses on developing your skills in recognising and evaluating different real-world urban planning responses; demonstrating theoretical and practical knowledge on informality in relation to a selected city; and the development of your group work and presentation skills, including and expressing complex issues orally and in writing. 

Group Presentation (15minutes)                                20%        

Essay (2500)                                                                        80%

GPL421 Urban Regeneration       

Urban regeneration is common practice in the governance of urban change worldwide. Proponents make positive claims about its impacts on the urban economy, society and environment, critics point to its negative outcomes. This module helps you to develop your critical understanding of the changing conceptualisation and practice of urban regeneration in its multi-scalar governance context. You will be guided in understanding how processes of urban regeneration are contextually specific, and how governance issues of scale, key actors and purpose are relevant to this specificity. Drawing on Global experiences, you will consider the role of the state and other actors in the formulation and implementation of urban regeneration policy, and the extent to which communities are engaged in and benefit from these processes. Through critical review of 'real world' cases, ranging from megaprojects to micro interventions and activities, you will be able to identify the tensions, vulnerabilities and varied impacts of such approaches, their place and context-specificity, and consider alternative governance and policy responses. The assessment will focus on the development of your written communication skills in presenting a clear, well structured and evidenced-based argument, an important skill for both future studies and careers. You will be taught through a detailed lecture programme with a focus on in-class discussion, combined with interactive sessions.  

Essay  (3000words)                                                                100%

GPL423 Extended Reality, Design and Placemaking       

This module explores placemaking as a multi-faceted approach to planning and designing spaces that emphasizes community involvement and the creation of vibrant, meaningful, and inclusive environments. As technology transforms how we interact with our surroundings, new technologies such as extended reality (XR) - including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality - are becoming crucial in reimagining placemaking processes. In this module, you will be able to investigate how technologies such as XR can enhance placemaking through, for example, virtual urban prototyping, spatial storytelling, augmented community engagement, and immersive participatory design. The module also addresses challenges and ethical considerations, including accessibility, digital divides, and potential disconnection in mediated environments.

Your learning will include hands-on workshops, practical exercises, and critical discussions, focusing on essential XR tools such as 3D modeling, spatial mapping, and immersive storytelling. You will be able to develop practical skills through client-focused scenarios, exploring how technologies such as XR can support community-centric urban design. This module aims to support you to develop employability skills to be able to creatively apply XR in designing and revitalizing public spaces, equipping you for roles in urban design, spatial planning, community engagement, and immersive media industries. 

Group Presentation (20 minutes + VR simulation)                                40%        

Individual Portfolio (800 words + design proposal 3D model)         60%

GPL425 Climate change: Science and Impacts 

The Climate Change: Science and Impacts module offers you an in-depth understanding of the scientific foundations of climate change and its far-reaching impacts on the environment and society. This module explores the causes, processes, and consequences of climate change from a scientific perspective, while emphasizing the real-world implications for ecosystems, human societies, and global policy.

You will get to examine the key scientific principles underlying climate change, including the greenhouse effect, climate modelling, and changing global circulations with far-reaching impacts. You will be able to explore the latest research on the impacts of climate change, focusing on areas such as extreme weather events, sea level rise, changes to ecosystems, and climate-sensitive diseases. Special attention will be given to understanding the social, economic, and political dimensions of climate change, including adaptation strategies and global mitigation efforts.

The module combines lectures, seminars, and case studies to provide both theoretical and practical insights into the science and impacts of climate change. You will be supported to gain the skills to critically evaluate scientific data and reports, engage with current climate research, and understand how climate change affects different regions and communities around the world.

By the end of the module, you will have been able to develop a solid grounding in climate science and an understanding of the multidisciplinary approaches required to address climate-related challenges. This module prepares you to contribute meaningfully to discussions and actions aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change on a global scale.

Group Presentation        (15minutes)                                     20%

Essay        (2000 words)                                                                80%        

GPL427 The Urban Climate Emergency 

Climate change is one of the most significant and urgent challenges of the 21st century. Cities generate over 70% of the world's CO2 and consume 60% of global energy, they therefore play an important part in mitigating the extent of climate change and in adapting to the effects of the climate crisis and its impacts on societies and the global environment. In this module you will get to explore the drivers of climate change and their implications for urban systems. The module will help you to develop skills in critically considering how urban professionals can respond to these challenges in ways that promote just and sustainable transitions. Key ideas and concepts will be presented in lectures, with supporting seminars providing space for discussion and debate. You will be supported to develop key employability skills in report writing and presenting clear and evidenced-based arguments. 

Group Presentation (15minutes)                                             20%

Individual Report (2500 words)                                                80%

GPL438 International Development Fieldclass

This fieldclass module provides you with the opportunity to explore and engage with development issues through practical fieldwork experiences, and to enhance your understanding of grass-roots development organisations.

Central to the module is a focus on developing critical reflectivity on the nature of development in a particular globalised and historicised context. You will have the opportunity to practise and build on research skills learnt in Semester 1 as well as dealing with issues of ethics, power and co-produced development research and practice.

You will work with an International partner, and you will have the opportunity to develop employability skills through teamwork and engagement with a variety of stakeholders. 

Research Report (3000 words)                                                 100%

GPL442 Machine Learning for Environmental Data   

Machine learning is a rapidly growing technique for data analysis across a wide range of applications. Indeed, with the development of widely available open-source software packages, and the rapidly increasing volume of datasets made possible by technological advancements, more and more scientists are utilising machine learning algorithms in their research. This module provides you with a fundamental understanding of some of the most common algorithms currently utilised for analysis of geoscientific data. It will show you how to apply these algorithms to real-world datasets, using the Python programming language and its suite of freely-available software packages.

You will be supported to develop a strong understanding of scientific computer programming (and Python specifically) and how machine learning may be utilised to help solve real-world research problems - extremely valuable skills for a range of careers paths. 

Practical skills assessment - Computer Practical                            10%        

Project/ portfolio - Machine Learning Project (2000words)        70%        

Project Viva (15 minutes)                                                                            20%        

GPL443 Advanced Spatial Analysis

This module is aimed at students who already have a good degree of knowledge in GIS. 

In this module, you will develop a high degree of competence in a range of advanced spatial analysis methods. In doing so, you will explore different spatial approaches to problem solving and the theories and precepts which underlie software applications in GIS. You are taught in a series of inter-related computer workshops focusing on real-world data and problem scenarios. You will be assessed through a multiple choice exam, demonstrating your specialist knowledge, and via an in depth advanced methods report, providing evidence of advanced technical skills. These assessments will enable you to demonstrate the highly developed skills and knowledge sought by a range of employers.

Individual Methods Report (2000words)                         65%

Blackboard Examination                                                        35%

GPL446 GIS for Built Environment Professionals

This module introduces you to key Geographical Information Systems (GIS) principles and techniques, equipping you with practical mapping and spatial analysis skills, across a variety of fields where GIS is becoming an increasingly relevant and embedded tool. The focus is on enabling you to develop an understanding of the potential of GIS and some fundamental GIS skills, and you will be supported through a series of workshops using a range of common software.

Through a series of hands-on workshops using open-source GIS software (QGIS), you will learn how to source, manage and visualise spatial data, design clear and effective maps, and carry out basic and advanced vector and raster analyses that are increasingly in demand in planning, environmental management and wider urban contexts. You will also be able to develop important skills, such as how to digitise the geo-reference paper maps and aerial imagery, apply GIS to a real-world case study (e.g. mapping the motor city), and experiment with simple automated mapping workflows. 

Throughout the module you will develop both technical and communication skills: sourcing and managing spatial data, producing clear and impactful geovisualisations, and writing concise, well-structured reports that interpret and critically reflect on your analysis.

These skills link directly to GIS and qualitative analysis work in other modules and provide a foundation for dissertation projects and industry applications. Assessment is through an individual written report that combines maps, analysis and reflection on the methods you have used. 

Map output and report (500words)                                        15%

Geovisualisation report (1500words)                                     85%

GPL451 Issues in Housing

This module introduces you to a range of enduring housing challenges, the policy responses actioned in different places and at different times, and their relative effectiveness. The module builds your substantive knowledge about the causes and manifestations of housing problems and extends your understanding of the links between housing, planning and social policies and outcomes at national, regional and local levels. It develops your expertise and skills in critically evaluating policies, grounded in a knowledge of relevant theories, concepts, and empirical research. The module encourages you to consider the range of actors involved in addressing housing challenges, developing your abilities to question the rationales and assumptions underpinning interventions. By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate a nuanced awareness of the origins of contemporary housing problems, situated within the relevant geographical and historical context, an ability to evaluate policy approaches oriented to addressing these challenges and suggest new and alternative ways forward.

The module is taught through a combination of lectures and workshops. This includes a policy masterclass, that involves you applying knowledge developed in previous sessions to a housing topic to evaluate causes, consequences and responses from a policy and practice perspective. This activity will provide you with an opportunity to develop research and evaluation skills. The assessment involves you preparing a Green Paper on a contemporary housing issue of your choice. 

Written assignment - Green Paper (2500words)                        100%      

GPL453 GIS and Geovisualisation

The capabilities of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are developing rapidly, driven in particular by the availability of new software tools and ever increasing amounts of data. This in turn is leading to exciting developments in cartography and visualisation methods. This module is focused on developing your geovisualisation skills using a range of software, with a particular focus on QGIS, the leading open-source desktop GIS. Through a series of computer workshops, you will develop a core set of cartographic skills and be exposed to the latest developments in the field, including interactive and animated maps. Your assessment will take the form of a practical spatial data visualisation report that will demonstrate key employability skills in effective data communication and cartography. During the module, you will also have the opportunity to create an ePortfolio to showcase your GIS skills for future employers. 

Report (2000words)                                                        100%

GPL454 Planning Law

The nature of planning activity and its outcomes are underpinned by legal frameworks, procedures and case law decisions. These legal frameworks are intended to ensure clarity and fairness in the exercise of planning powers. They also change over time to reflect changing circumstances and government priorities. The aim of this module is to provide you with a thorough understanding of the procedures for controlling development through planning

More specifically, in this module, you will develop knowledge and understanding of this complex and important area by exploring the roles and underlying values of law and policy in the English planning system within an international context. Core themes include:

- the discretionary basis of UK planning;

- the definition of development;

- the legal process for undertaking planning decisions;

- processes of planning appeal;

- the changing status of development plans;

- the role of enforcement.

You will also be able to learn by exploring examples where contemporary policy is shaped by legal decisions and the scope for flexibility in working within established legal frameworks. You will explore case studies from practice to develop your knowledge and this will also allow you to focus on the development of your written communication skills in a variety of different formats depending on your own career interests. 

Written assignment (3000words)                                        100%

GPL464 Planning for Diversity

Acknowledging diversity within cities is increasingly regarded as central to successful planning, urban development and city making and is a hotly debated contemporary issue. But what do we mean by diversity and what theories exist to help us understand it? In this module you will explore various aspects of diversity in the form of differing social identities (such as age, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and gender - including masculinity within cities) but also critically examine the ways in which diversity is understood by policy makers and planners. The module will engage with cities in both the global South and North and consider the significance of migration in relation to diversity in both contexts. The module will help you to develop your critical and academic skills, focusing on engagement with literature from the disciplines of planning, urban studies, geography and development studies, and the development of key written communication skills in clear, well-structure and evidence-based arguments. 

Essay (2500words)                                                        100%

GPL467 Urban Heritage and Conservation

This module introduces you to the theories and practices of urban heritage conservation in a global context, and aims to equip you with the basic skills to appraise heritage value and propose a planning response for conservation. This is achieved by discussing the evolution of the heritage movement and the shifting of conservation focus in the urban built environment. Critical questions will be debated in class such as how heritage is defined, by who, as well as the implications of conservation practices at different scales. We will look at the contemporary challenges to heritage conservation and the role of heritage in future place-making and sustainability. Using case studies, we will examine the creative conservation practices in the UK and internationally. Drawing on the development o your knowledge and skills developed throughout this module, you will get to develop your own heritage project, critically applying your knowledge and skills to a real world case. 

Conservation planning report        (2500words)                        100%

GPL469 Managing Climate Change

This module aims to provide you with a strong understanding of the social and physical science of climate change with relevance to international development. This understanding is then applied to consider the challenge of living with climate change in the Global South. The module is taught through seminars and lectures. Lectures introduce and impart factual knowledge while seminars allow you time and space to develop your skills in discussion, while enabling you to develop skills in applying key concepts to practical situations. Together these structure your learning, and provide an environment in which you can develop your skills in researching, presenting and debating arguments drawn from the wide ranging literature on climate change. 

Essay (2500words)                                                        100%

GPL472 Theory and Debates in Food Security and Food Justice

Food Security and Food Justice are areas of increasing importance at local, national, transnational and global scales. Political and non-political agents at multiple scales have recognised that Global Hunger and Food Security (of which Food Justice is a primary component) is a key challenge requiring urgent interdisciplinary investigation and problem solving. There remains limited agreement as to how best to approach these issues. This module provides you with a background to the problems encompassed within the food security/food justice nexus by drawing on academic and policy debates that focus on both the macro as well as the micro impacts. By looking across food systems, you will be able to hear about and develop skills in the critical evaluation of different strategies for mitigating the impacts of food insecurity and injustice. In addition to academic, knowledge and critical thinking skills, the module will help you to develop the following employability attributes: Communication, Networking, Collaboration, Influencing, Inclusivity, Defining Purpose, and Growth Mindset. 

Essay (2500words)                                                        100%

GPL482 Geospatial Programming Essentials     

This module aims to equip you with the practical skills and conceptual understanding needed to work with geospatial data using Python - one of the most widely used programming languages in environmental science, data analytics, and spatial research. It provides an applied, project-based learning environment in which you are able to gain hands-on experience in geospatial data processing, analysis, and visualisation, all within the context of understanding environmental issues.

You will have time to learn how to manipulate and analyse spatial data, automating workflows using open-source Python libraries. The module will progress through core Python and geospatial concepts through to real-world scenarios addressing environmental and socio-spatial issues. Teaching includes interactive lectures, coding sessions, and guided projects, with no prior programming experience required. The module aims to equip you with essential geospatial data science skills for environmental modelling and spatial decision-making tailored for future employability. 

Classroom testing (30minutes)                                        20%

Classroom testing (30minutes)                                        20%                

Written assignment (1200words)                                    60%