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Master in urban planning

Three semesters of comprehensive training for careers in city design and management (development, planning, housing, real estate etc.)

Section #objectifs

Mastering urban transitions in three semester

The Master in Urban Planning trains professionals in urban and territorial development by integrating various fields, including economics, territorial analysis, and technical, legal, and financial aspects. This program focuses on both metropolitan dynamics and medium-sized cities, addressing attractiveness, competitiveness, inequalities, and environmental and digital transitions. By fostering a dialogue between theory and practice, this master's program prepares students to play an essential role in shaping and managing the urban spaces of the future and addressing the complex challenges of urban planning.

The master's program consists of two semesters of coursework at Sciences Po and one semester dedicated to professional placement.

Study Trip in Berlin, Urban School (credits: Marie Barraud)
Section #overview
Section #objectives

Objectives and skills

  • Understanding socio-economic issues related to urban planning
  • Decoding current urban and territorial phenomena
  • Developing skills in strategic analysis: the ability to operate in complex environments and collaborate with various stakeholders
  • In-depth urban planning and development training: the ability to spatialize urban thinking and projects
  • Mastery of technical, legal, and financial tools specific to territory and city production (development financial analysis, territorial diagnosis, Geographic Information Systems - GIS -, housing programming, etc.)
  • Professionalization through collective projects, practical scenarios, simulations, and study trips in France or Europe

These skills are developed through work on different scales, from planning to real estate logic, including managing complex urban projects.

Section #structure

Programme structure 

Download the programme structure

This programme is condensed into three semesters, including two semesters of instruction at Sciences Po and one semester "off-campus" in employment, internship, or exchange. In addition to this, there is an annual study trip, a group project, and numerous practical exercises (visits, simulations, role-playing, etc.).

First semester

  • Acquisition of a common foundation of knowledge on urbanism and urban policies, introduction to territorial analysis methods, and development mechanisms
  • Practical experiences and practical exercises: study trip, mini urban project, simulation game on development "Urbax," etc.
  • Beginning of the group projects supervised by the educational coordinator and guided by tutors for 2 days per week, on Thursdays and Fridays

Second semester

  • Courses to analyze and discuss current and emerging issues in urban production
  • Additional thematic courses (sustainable urban planning, public consultation, etc.) and "professional" approaches (social project management, real estate development, urban and commercial programming, etc.)
  • High-level professional interventions on their professions and actor systems

Third semester

The third and final semester of the Master in Urban Planning offers the opportunity for professional integration (internship or employment contract) or an exchange with one of our partner universities, including UCL Bartlett, Bocconi Milan, University of Amsterdam.
 

Study trip to Frankfurt, 2022
Section #outlines
Section #admission

Entry requirements and accreditation

The Master in Urban Planning is open to students or professionals who have completed at least one year of a Master’s degree in any discipline.

A very strong level of written and spoken French is required (see the language requirements table).

The programme is accredited by APERAU (the French Association for the Promotion of Teaching and Research in Urban Planning and Development).

Admission procedures for the master's degree

There are multiple pathways for admission to the Master in Urban Planning.

French procedure

This procedure (FR) applies to candidates who have previously completed a degree in France. Applications are submitted online on the Sciences Po admissions website.

Procedure for graduates from partner universities in France (FR)

International procedure

This procedure applies to candidates who have not previously completed a degree in France. Applications are submitted online on the Sciences Po admissions platform.

Section #other-situations

Other cases

Procedure for former Sciences Po students who graduated less than two years ago

Please contact Bertrand Vallet for more information.

Procedure for students bridging after one year of the Master of Regional and Urban Strategy

A bridge is possible between the first year of the Master of Regional and Urban Strategy and the Urban planning programme

Please contact Bertrand Vallet for more information.

Section #career

Career opportunities for the Master in Urban Planning

The Master in Urban Planning benefits from a strong alumni network in various fields related to urban development (urban planning, development, urban policy, housing, etc.), within diverse organizations (government ministries, local authorities, private and public developers, urban planning agencies, consulting firms, elected officials' offices, real estate developers, etc.). It also relies on an active and dynamic alumni association, Sciences Po Urba.
In recent years, more than half of the Master students have found employment (fixed-term or permanent contracts) immediately upon completing the second semester.
Nearly 55 years after the creation of the Master's programme, surveys show a diversified professional integration: graduates work in government services or local authorities (regions, departments, and increasingly in municipalities or inter-municipal groups), in the semi-public sector (urban planning agencies, development agencies, public establishments, particularly in the housing sector). Many work in the private sector, from design to real estate development.

Section #alumni

Alumni testimonials

    Section #contacts

    Contacts

    Academic Director: Marco Cremaschi 

    Academic Assistant: Jérôme Michel (jerome.michel@sciencespo.fr)

    Academic Advisor: Bertrand Vallet (bertrand.vallet@sciencespo.fr)

    Find out more