MSC URBAN PLANNING (SPECIALISATION IN URBAN DESIGN) (PART TIME)
The MSc Urban Planning (specialisation in Urban Design) programme allows you to engage in applying design principles and techniques to address urban challenges in the changing contexts of Chinese and global environment.
September 2025
Part time
30 months
Suzhou
Design School
This programme leads to a University of Liverpool degree which is recognised by Ministry of Education, China.
Knowledge and skills
By the time you graduate from the MSc Urban Planning (specialisation in Urban Design), you will have:
- A comprehensive understanding of urbanisation in China, alongside comparative insights into global urban development trends.
- Knowledge of key urban planning and design theories and methodologies to create and articulate site-specific design solutions across multidisciplinary contexts.
- Professional design skills in spatial analysis, representation techniques (mapping, modelling, filming), and conceptualisation (scenario building and vision creation).
The Yangtze River Delta region is one of the most exciting environments in which to learn about and experiment with urban design in the 21st century. This region is entrenched in its long history and traditional culture, yet is also transforming into a modern metropolis before our eyes.
Shih-Yang Kao
Programme director
Modules
*Programme modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
The university offers a broad range of activities aiming to enrich master students’ theoretical and experiential learning and professional development. Trainings, workshops and seminars, covering varieties of themes and topics, both generic and subject-specific, are often offered at both university and school/department levels. You may also be provided with opportunities to work as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or intern at XJTLU. Depending on the programme, field trips and company visits may be organized, and invited talks may be given by the industrial experts and professionals. Such activities will not only support you in your programme study, but also develop your personal and professional skills and enhance your overall employability.
Careers
This programme equips graduates for dynamic careers in urban design across both public and private sectors. Potential career paths are not limited to urban design but also encompass roles such as sustainability specialists, project coordinator, and professional consultant. In these roles, graduates leverage their expertise in land use planning, community development, urban management, and the revitalisation of infrastructure and facilities. These positions afford graduates a unique opportunity to actively participate in the crafting of sustainable, functional, and vibrant urban spaces.
Overview
The MSc Urban Planning (specialisation in Urban Design) programme allows you to engage in applying design principles and techniques to address urban challenges in the changing contexts of Chinese and global environment.
You will learn to consider the interplay between spatial design and social, economic, environmental and political issues evident in a range of urban settings. Taught with an interdisciplinary approach to the development of urban form, the programme is not limited to those with architecture or urban planning backgrounds – it is relevant to anyone interested in understanding the nature and production of spaces.
Our international teaching staff bring with them the best learning methods from some of the most prestigious universities in the world, offering you the chance to learn in a supportive, integrated learning environment.
Note: For students from this programme who need degree verifications from the Ministry of Education of China, the degree verification only indicates the degree title “Urban Planning “, without the specialisation in brackets.
Why should I study Urban Planning (Specialisation in Urban Design) at XJTLU?