Masters in Transport Planning
Transport planning is concerned with the assessment and design of transport systems such as public transport and motorways and roads. A major concern of transport planning is the increased ownership of cars and the problems this creates such as congestion and the impact on the environment.
About Transport Planning
An MSc Transport Planning is a one-year degree (full-time) which is aimed at both graduates and practising professionals. Throughout the two years, you’ll hone a number of advanced skills related to the operation, management and planning of transport systems.
Along with the skills you’ll develop, you will also understand more about this sector, while at the same time strengthening your awareness of the needs of transport, environment and societal safety conditions.
You will also be given the opportunity to develop a number of transferable skills, including communication, teamwork, problem solving and data analysis.
Overall, the course gives you invaluable insights into how the transport industry operates, on a theoretical and practical level.
Topics Covered
The exact topics covered in this degree vary from institution to institution.
The modules are largely centred around issues such as appraisal, travel demand forecasting and policy. There are requisite modules, as well as optional modules. The degree is supported by studio work, seminars and surveys, and a dissertation is a requirement.
Topics you might study include:
- Road safety
- Transport modelling and forecasting
- Transport research methods
- Field class
- Design of transport infrastructures
- Transport planning and sustainable mobility
- Traffic flow and control
Entry Requirements
To be considered for an MSc in Transport Planning, you need to have a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject, such as geography, town planning, engineering, science or maths.
If, however, you do not have a degree in any of the above subjects, you may still be considered on an individual basis - and indeed a wide range of degrees are generally considered. Relevant industry experience will further strengthen your application.
Some postgraduate degrees in Transport Planning may require students to attend an entrance interview. To help you understand postgraduate interviews we have put together an article for the top 10 questions that are likely to pop up and the best ways that you can answer them: Top 10 Postgraduate Interview Questions.
Career Prospects
It’s common for graduates with an MSc Transport Planning to work for transport utilities, consultancies and local authorities, while it’s not uncommon for some graduates to work abroad on a temporary basis. All in all, this is a highly valued postgraduate qualification that is attractive to a wide number of employers.
This degree arms you with a solid understanding of current practice issues and transport policy that make the transition from the classroom to the workplace virtually seamless.
There are many career options open to you upon graduating. You could choose to become an expert in a specific area of transport planning, or work across a number of sectors. You don’t even need to decide what you want to do right away; your degree gives you a foot in the door, while schemes such as the Professional Development Scheme arm you with even more skills, and help you to work out where you want to go next.
