Do I need to be good at drawing for the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development?

You do not need to be an artist. Plans, diagrams and maps matter more than freehand drawing, and software-based representation is taught as part of the degree.

Is this degree about architecture?

It overlaps with architecture but sits upstream. Architects design individual buildings; planners shape the rules, allocations and infrastructure that decide where and how those buildings appear. The Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development focuses on that planning layer.

Will I be a chartered planner when I graduate?

No. Chartership is a separate professional process regulated in each country, usually requiring further study and supervised practice. The Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development is a credible academic foundation for that route.

Does the course cover sustainability and climate?

Yes. Sustainable design, environmental impact and climate-adaptive planning sit naturally within the programme, because modern planning practice cannot really be taught without them.

Can I study the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development online?

Theory-led modules transfer well to online delivery. Studio work, group exercises and any fieldwork sit better in person. HICL confirms the blend per intake.

How long is the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development?

It is structured as a standard undergraduate degree. Duration depends on full-time or part-time study; admissions will share the current schedule when you apply.

Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development | HICL | Harold International College of London

Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development at HICL

Cities are arguments made in concrete. Every junction, zoning decision and transport line is the visible end of a long debate between residents, developers, councils and central government. The Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development takes that argument seriously. It trains you in the spatial, technical and regulatory work behind it — the analysis, plans, drawings, consultations and policy reasoning that turn a piece of land into a functioning piece of city.

This is an undergraduate degree, so it begins from first principles. The Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development is for people who notice cities — who walk through a new development and instinctively ask why the high street feels dead by 8pm, or why the bus stop is in the wrong place. You will leave with a planner's vocabulary and a planner's habits of inquiry.

What planning actually involves

Planning sits at the meeting point of geography, design, law and economics. You will study land use, transport planning, housing policy, sustainable design, environmental impact assessment, GIS and the development control process. You will also work on real-feeling case material — a town centre regeneration, a transport corridor, a housing allocation — to practise turning policy and survey data into defensible recommendations.

Who This Degree Is For

School leavers with an interest in cities, geography or architecture.
Architecture and design students who want to move upstream into the policy and planning layer.
Council and community-development staff who want a formal qualification behind their experience.
International students drawn to UK planning culture and looking for an English-medium degree.

Where graduates typically go

Graduates of the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development go into roles such as Planning Officer in local authorities, Assistant Planner in private consultancies, Transport Planner, Urban Designer, Housing Officer and Regeneration Officer. Others move into development control, real estate research or sustainability roles, and some go on to a master's en route to chartership in their home jurisdiction. The qualification is a serious foundation but not a guarantee of professional licensure in any specific country.

How the programme is delivered

HICL offers on-campus, online and blended modes. Studio-style design exercises and group work suit in-person delivery; theory, policy reading and individual assignments work well online. Site visits and field exercises are arranged where the delivery mode allows. Intake calendar and module structure are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry Requirements

Completed secondary schooling or recognised equivalent.
English language: IELTS 5.5–6.0 or accepted equivalent for international applicants.
Minimum age 18 at programme start.
An interest in cities, public policy or the built environment is strongly recommended.

Apply for the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development

If you want to spend three years learning how cities are actually made, the Bachelor in Urban Planning and Development is a deliberate place to start. Click Enroll Now to submit your application; admissions will reply within one working day with the next intake, fees and document checklist.