Planning, Environment and Development

Planning is about changing the places within which we live. how we can transform and improve our cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods and communities. it affects our everyday lives and is an exciting discipline to study at university.

Although the majority of our graduates pursue careers in planning, the knowledge and skills developed also enable them to develop careers in a wide range of other sectors both in the uk and abroad. recently, for example, graduates have found employment in china, the usa and new zealand. career sectors that have attracted our graduates in recent years include planning authorities (northern ireland, great britain and the republic of ireland), private planning practice, management, design consultants, housing authorities, health trusts, conservation and environmental organisations, teaching (particularly geography), countryside stewardship, software development and various graduate programmes. this degree is closely aligned to the requirements of the planning sector and draws on practitioners as guest lecturers. we regularly consult with employers, and links are further enhanced through formal partnership meetings with the bodies that accredit our courses (rics and rtpi). we have developed strong relationships with, for example, the northern ireland housing executive, the planning division of the department and belfast city council, and draw on such experts in the design of the degree. many of our graduates go on to one of our two masters programmes to complete their rtpi accreditation, or other postgraduate training, including phd study; see the school website for further information.

Work while you study

You can also work on a UK student visa, from 10 to 20 hours per week during the academic year, 40 hours per week or full-time during vacations.

Partnerships

Most universities in Northern Ireland have partnerships with different companies and organisations to ensure their students get enough professional training as students. In addition to increasing their students' chances to get hired by one of the universities. Queen's University Belfast has partnerships with the following companies: