MSc Transport Planning and Practice
The guideline for entry is an ambition to develop a career in transport together with a good honours degree in a subject recognised for entry into this industry. Those already working in the industry and wanting to gain wider experience and a professional qualification are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants will also be considered with a minimum of five years’ relevant transport industry experience and should be able to demonstrate an aptitude for the technical and communication skills involved. Part-time students may start the programme in October or February. Full-time students will normally start the programme in October and will not be eligible for workplace-based learning. A February start may be accommodated.
The programme provides specialist learning for graduates from a wide range of disciplines who have an ambition to develop a career in transport leading to a professional qualification. Lectures and workshops are presented by leaders in the transport industry.
Transport Modelling is introduced in the compulsory module Developing Transport Solutions, along with the capacity of links and junctions and the concepts and practice involved. Theoretical coverage is undertaken in the bespoke Transport Modelling module and this is further reinforced in the module Design and Analysis of Transport Schemes where DRACULA, TRANSYT and OSCADY PRO are introduced and used for coursework submissions. The current ‘hot topic’ of sweating the asset is covered in the module Asset Management and a complementary Bridge Management module is also available from the Bridge Engineering group of modules.
Students whose employers are our partners can base over 40 per cent of their programme on workplace activities. We work closely with the main professional bodies in transport planning and civil engineering to ensure that our programme is recognised as an appropriate professional qualification. You may also select from Surrey’s wide range of civil engineering and environmental modules.
Transport planning modules are available through distance learning for industry-supported students only; consequently you may not need to attend the University-based teaching programme. UK-based students usually take their exams at the University. Overseas students can make other arrangements within our guidelines at their cost.
Distance learning is fully supported by our web-based VLE facility, enabling students to benefit from interaction with lecturers and fellow students. In addition to the comprehensive notes, prepared with distance learners in mind, students receive all lecture materials.
Entry standards
A minimum of 60% in an honours degree. Alternatively, at least five years’ relevant transport experience or a professional qualification. Typical first degrees that have proved acceptable are wide ranging and include Mathematics, Geography, Business, Languages, Media Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Computing, Town Planning as well as Engineering degrees.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required have 6.5 IELTS or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - structure and modules
Programme Structure
Our programme ensures that your skills are effectively honed to meet the specialist needs of UK industry. We balance academic and practical understanding with business acumen. It consists of three parts:
Four compulsory modules in transport planning and practice:
- Transport Policy
- Transport Strategies and Interventions
- Developing Transport Solutions
- Transport Appraisal Methods
Four optional modules chosen from a wide range of options including the specific transport options:
- Asset Management and Maintenance (Transport Infrastructure)
- Transport Modelling *
- Design and Analysis of Transport Schemes *
- Work Place Module (available to students in partnering companies)
A Transport Project
The project will develop skills and learning relevant to transport planning and practice. It will be equivalent to four taught modules. This project could benefit from being workplace-based and this option is available if your employer wishes to support the scheme and has been approved by the programme organisers.
*To meet the Transport Planning and Practice (TPP) requirements, these modules need to have been taken in addition to the four compulsory modules.
Compulsory Modules
These modules, available as lecture-based courses, are presented by transport planning professionals from the following organisations: Atkins, Hyder, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Jacobs, Mouchel, JMP Consulting, Surrey County Council, Hampshire County Council, Pell Frischmann, Scott Wilson, the Transport Planning Association, the Transport Research Laboratory and WSP.
Each module consists of five sessions containing two three-hour lecture/workshops plus individual tutorial time. The lectures are complemented by a tutorial and a revision session in preparation for a two-hour examination; coursework is also a key part. Modules are delivered on Thursday afternoons and evenings, allowing local students a morning’s work. Two modules are available each semester running on alternate weeks. These compulsory modules are available in distance-learning format.
Optional Modules
The choice of optional modules will depend on background and interests. The first group of optional modules cover more detailed learning within transport planning and practice and are listed above. The three lecture-based optional modules are again presented by transport planning professionals from the following organisations: Islington Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Mouchel, the Transport Research Laboratory Balfour Beatty, Ringway, Jacobs, Hyder, Gateway TSP and WSP.
For non-engineering first degree candidates wish to progress to the Tranport Planning Professional qualification, Transport Modelling and the Design and Analysis of Transport Schemes need to be taken as part of the MSc.
Other optional modules cover broad areas such as management, research, business, civil engineering, energy, environment and sustainability.
The second group of modules is currently in place as part of other taught postgraduate programmes and will be available at set times. Increasingly, modules are available in distance-learning format, avoiding the need for fixed lecture dates and thereby improving access to the programme and flexibility of study.
Broadening modules are available from the following programmes, open to engineering students:
- Bridges (including Bridge Management)
- Construction Management
- Environmental Technology and Sustainability
- Research Methodology
- Structures
The programme may also offer credit transfers from other appropriate MSc programmes (please seek guidance from the programme coordinators). The workplace-based learning module can be started following consultation with the programme director and a four-month period will generally be allowed for completion of the module. Subject areas, learning objectives and submission requirements need to be agreed with academic and company supervisors. The module can be based around your work in employment, but submission will require greater emphasis on reflective learning and understanding, application of learning and a broadening of perspective. This option requires a link to a partnering company approved by the University to run and supervise the module.
Subject information
Transport Planning and Practice
Our programme equips graduates with the knowledge and skills required to work in transport planning and the wider transport sector on modelling, asset sweating/management, policy development, planning, design and appraisal, and while delivery of transport schemes. It is strengthened by key partnerships with leading businesses so that we connect academic learning and practical knowledge for industry benefit. We enable those working with consultants, in local authorities or regional government, or in the wider transport industry to study part-time and to have their achievements in the workplace recognised as a contribution towards their qualification.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - entry standards
Entry standards
A minimum of 60% in an honours degree. Alternatively, at least five years’ relevant transport experience or a professional qualification. Typical first degrees that have proved acceptable are wide ranging and include Mathematics, Geography, Business, Languages, Media Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Computing, Town Planning as well as Engineering degrees.
English language requirements
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required have 6.5 IELTS or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).
Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.
Planned intake
30
Start date
September, February
Programme Director
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - fees and funding
Fees
Transport Planning & Practice (full time):
UK/EU - £5,740
Overseas - £14,830
Transport Planning & Practice (part time - per module and for the dissertation):
UK/EU - £638
Overseas - £1,648
Funding
Many students studying part-time are supported by their employers who may also support studies through workplace-based activities.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - professional context
Sponsorship and Industry Links
The MSc addresses specific needs in transport planning businesses. Many companies are working in partnership with the University by sponsoring their employees to benefit from workplace-based activities. Companies must meet the requirements for internal supervision of workplace-based projects and modules.
The University will work with you to enable company involvement. There is no cost or extra requirement. Many companies develop this partnership and become involved in the management and delivery of modules. Our strong industry links can benefit all students from the UK and overseas and in particular those seeking the advantage of a practical element in their training. In recent times industry based students have initially funded the programme themselves on a module by module basis. Once they have demonstrated their commitment they have found that their employer has then co-funded and participated in their MSc for the workplace module and dissertation.
Distance learning for students in partnering companies will enable you to study when based in remote areas, and allows for flexibility if you change location during the programme.
Our partners include:
- Surrey County Council
- Atkins
- Balfour Beatty
- Hyder
- Islington Borough Council
- Jacobs
- JMP Consulting
- Mouchel
- Parsons Brinckerhoff
- Ringway
- Transport Research Laboratory
- WSP
- Hampshire County Council
Professional recognition
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineering (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.The programme is recognised by the JBM as a model of industrial involvement in an academic qualification.
See www.jbm.org.uk for further information
Additionally, the programme is approved for the Transport Planning Professional Route 1 to again their qualification for those candidates whose first degree is not in Engineering.
See www.tpprofessional.org for further information
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - teaching
Staff perspective
Tony Thorne
This will equip you to update your current knowledge with part-time study if you work for a partnering body. Additionally, for a full-time student, this MSc will equip you to undertake a position in the UK transport planning industry.
Distance learning is available for candidates from partnering bodies and benefits from the module notes and e-learning support set up to aid module learning. As a distance-learning student, you will have the benefit of contact through e-learning with other distance-learning students and the campus-based students and, as a campus-based student, you will have e-learning contact with the distance-learning students, many of whom will be working full time in the industry.
A project is a compulsory element of the MSc programme and to meet this requirement, the part-time industry-based students at partnering companies can undertake a project relevant to their place of work. For the full-time student, projects are available with a University supervisor supported by industry.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - learning
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - graduate profile
Graduate Profile: Carl Peers
MSc Transport Planning and Practice
The University of Surrey has developed a new programme designed for people working in the transport planning industry, taught by professionals in the industry. The involvement of transport professionals in terms of teaching staff and students gives the programme a practical and innovative application.
The take-up of the programme by full-time employees also stimulates topical debate and benefits students who are yet to enter the jobs market. The variety was the most enjoyable element of the programme in terms of the mixture of full- and part-time students, transport professionals and academics, and the range of topics taught across
the transport planning profession. The lecture format, with a range of tasks and debates, kept the learning sessions lively and engaging. I would certainly recommend it to others interested in transport planning. The fact that it is now available as distance learning makes it more accessible for those across the country.
I currently work as a principal transport planner at a transport consultancy in London. I work in a breadth of areas including development planning, development control and business travel with both private and public sector clients. I intend to continue my work at this company and progress my career in transport planning.
The programme has expanded my breadth and depth of knowledge in transport planning, which is a real benefit for existing and future project work. I apply a range of transport planning skills attained through the programme in my day-to-day work, while other skills have contributed to my continued professional development.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - more
Other Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate
Available to those who have successfully completed the four compulsory modules.
Postgraduate Diploma
Available to those who have successfully completed the four compulsory modules and four optional modules.
Transport Project
The workplace project is available if your employer has joined our partnership. Academic and company-based supervisors are appointed and plan the project with you, based on core learning material and company interests. You are mentored by the industrial supervisor. The academic supervisor advises on learning requirements. An independent project examiner, appointed by the partnership, has a watching brief on project content and quality.
The project can be carried out at your own pace. The timescale will depend on how closely it links to your active workload. Typically a project will run for a year for part-time students only, allowing for concurrent work on other modules. Up to 75 per cent of the project work can be done in company time. The project may be started early in the programme but normally students will have completed the compulsory modules.
Projects are examined through a number of submissions, culminating in a technical paper suitable for publication and a presentation undertaken prior to the oral defence. Confidential material can be encompassed within the project. General issues are reported and company-sensitive material is submitted only to the company supervisor, whose assessment of the work is included in the examination process. Students without a company-based project may submit a similar project linked only to an academic supervisor. Industrial support is encouraged and may be available through our partners. Full-time students are encouraged to consider an area of interest whilst taking the first semester modules, then apply more time to the project during their second semester to enable them to complete within the academic year.
MSc Transport Planning and Practice - apply
You can apply for this programme online using the link(s) below. We recommend making an application as soon as you can, even if you do not have all the necessary supporting information ready at that time.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to enter a username and password. If you've used our application system before, please enter your details or click the forgotten password link.
If you are a new user, you will need to create a username and password by clicking the New User button.
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Part-time - starting Feb 2012
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Part-time - starting Sep 2012
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Part-time - starting Feb 2013
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Distance Learning - starting Feb 2012
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Distance Learning - starting Sep 2012
- MSc Transport, Planning and Practice - Distance learning - starting Feb 2013
Start date
September, February
Planned intake
30
Programme length
12 months full-time, up to 60 months part-time. Part-time students normally take between 24 and 36 months.
Programme Director
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 689473
E: feps-pg@surrey.ac.uk