Course summary
Many global challenges can be tackled through better city design. Urban designers play a vital role in shaping sustainable communities, from protecting green spaces to reducing travel times. At Oxford Brookes, you’ll study design from building scale to city-wide masterplans, exploring environments from villages to megacities. You'll begin with UK housing, then expand your focus globally—engaging with experts in places like Dubai, or analysing population data from cities such as Hong Kong. You’ll explore how climate, density, and culture impact urban development. Through a wide range of topics and a challenging international project—possibly in Manhattan or Mumbai—you’ll develop the creative and analytical skills needed to address urban design issues worldwide. We can’t promise you’ll solve every problem, but you’ll gain the insight and tools to make a real difference.
Assessment method
Assessment combines group work and individual projects and can include:
- reports
- design posters
- videos
- oral and visual presentations.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Chartered Surveyors, Royal Institution of
- Town Planning Institute, Royal
How to apply
International applicants
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 6.0 in all components. OR An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University. Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related design & planning discipline. We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees or an alternative subject, who can provide a suitable portfolio and/or evidence relevant work experience. Mid-career professional candidates with practice experience are also encouraged to apply.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 with at least 6.0 in each component
If English is not your first language then, please see here for our requirements and accepted alternative English language qualifications
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £11250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11250 | Year 1 |
| International | £18500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
Provider information
Oxford Brookes University
Gipsy Lane
Headington
Oxford
OX3 0BP