City Planning & Regeneration

Student testimonials

Craig Potter, Scotland, MSc City Planning and Regeneration, Graduated 2010
I completed an undergraduate degree in MA Geography (Hons) from 2004-2008 so knew that the level of teaching and facilities are excellent, and also that the West End of Glasgow is an excellent place to live, work and study. For my chosen MSc course in City Planning and Urban Regeneration, I was aware that the Real Estate, Planning and Regeneration (REPR) programme at Glasgow has an excellent reputation as a young, emerging, high quality course. As one of only a few Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited postgraduate courses in Scotland, the REPR programme was an appealing choice in order to understand the skills and theory behind planning practice. In fulfilling my objective of becoming a chartered Town Planner, it was vital to choose a course that has been praised and accredited by the RTPI.

Prior to the MSc from 2009-2010, I studied at the University of Glasgow from 2004-2008, gaining a First Class Honours degree in Geography. Between 2008 and 2009 I was employed as a graduate environmental planner with a large multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy, where I worked on some of Scotland’s largest infrastructure schemes including the Forth Replacement Crossing.

One of the best things about the REPR programme was the grounding it gave in many inter-related aspects of the built environment, whilst building in the theory and the economics behind development. A wide variety of subject material is offered, from urban design, to development economics, to planning theory. This in turn resulted in very varied coursework requirements that challenged different aspects of a student’s intellect. Where for a lot of MSc students a straightforward essay may be routine, the course went over and above this, requiring students to engage in skills such as spatial planning and economic calculations. This offers a rounded and challenging learning experience.

The teaching was excellent and lecturers were very interactive in their presentations, seeking to ask opinions and engage the students at every opportunity. This made it a varied and interesting course with plenty of opportunity to discuss ideas with fellow students and staff. The Urban Studies subject area is a very friendly one, and all lecturers were very approachable and willing to listen to any concerns, questions or queries.

I grew up near Glasgow and have lived in Glasgow for the past 6 years. It is a surprisingly diverse place, full of excellent music, nightlife and cuisine. The people are incredibly friendly, good humoured and passionate. To me, there is a real ‘can-do’ attitude in the city and this is epitomised by the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in 2014.

For anyone thinking of studying at the University of Glasgow on any course, I would highly recommend the excellent, diverse and challenging learning environment you will step into. Glasgow is a fantastic city and the University of Glasgow is one of the best, and oldest, in the UK.

Following my MSc in City Planning and Regeneration, I am currently employed within the renewable energy sector as a planning and environmental consultant. I am responsible for planning wind energy developments so that they do not result in adverse environmental effects. My full education at the University of Glasgow was very influential in helping my reach this stage of my career, as it has helped and encouraged me to be proactive in my learning and has offered a very rounded, thought-provoking and challenging academic environment in which to develop.

Feedback on individual courses

Regenerating Cities: Very high satisfaction with course content.

Professional Practice and Ethics: Very high satisfaction with the balance of delivery of material and discussion and question-time.

Spatial Planning Strategies: Very high satsifaction with teaching style and range of exernal speakers. One student said: 'Really good! Excellent lectures, very engaging and interesting. Also conducive to a positive "this is what I signed up for" sentiment.'

Designing Places: 'Wonderful!'

Students express their greatest enjoyment in our courses in relation to the following aspects of the way we teach:

Use of external speakers and practitioners: ' variety of contributors was good. Lots of opportunities to ask questions/discuss. Enough practical things to break up class lectures.'

Field visits and practical work: students really value the opportunity to be out of the classroom, learning in new ways and hearing from on-site professionals: 'nice to get out a classroom' ...a 'well organised with timekeeping and comfortable transport. Excellent input from guest lecturers.'

Regular seminars: 'great at providing a link between course contents and the real world.' The seminar series has given students the chance to hear from, and discuss issues with such eminent personalities as Baroness Margaret Ford (Chair of English Partnerships and Irvine Bay URC), Jim Mackinnon (former Chief Planner for Scotland), John MacBean and Mike Buchan (Jones Lang LaSalle) and Jan Bebbington (Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews). 

Placements and links to employers: 'presentations (from employers) are useful in terms of being able to gain an idea of the jobs market and what we can expect in terms of pay and conditions.'

Facilities: students regularly use the REPR Resource Room including computing facilities, graphic printers, discussion space, and additional material and resources.