Chartered Town Planner Masters Degree Apprenticeship

Programme structure

Apprentices attend university one day a week during term time and will continue to have one day per week off-the-job learning out of term.

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met.

Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role or furthers apprentices development into new areas.

Our programme is accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Syllabus 

Core modules

• Planning Theory and Practice
• Policy and Implementation in Town Planning
• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities
• Comparative Practice in Property and Planning
• Learning Log
• Masters Research Skills and Dissertation

Options*

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management
• Introduction to GIS
• Contested Natures and Social Justice
• Situate
• Environmental Management in Organisations
• Environmental Policy and Law
• Applications in GIS
• Critical Readings in Spatial Design
• Sustainable Construction
• Independent Study 
• Environment Placement

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Core skills

Upon completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped to:

• critically review and evaluate the context, procedures and practices by which town planning systems seek to control, direct and harness the forces that impact upon the environment
• apply the tools and techniques for spatial planning
• demonstrate a high level of expertise in a specific town planning field

• develop methodologies and solutions for appraising project requirements
• apply the skills of problem analysis; the preparation and presentation of solutions, and the defence of these within peer group and external evaluation
• develop the ability to work with peers and to contribute to group activities
• expand professional knowledge and understanding through individual research.

Teaching and assessment

With support from the employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours on studies and be able to evidence this. This is a statutory requirement for apprenticeships and the funding is conditional on this being met. Off-the-job learning includes activities which have not previously been a part of the role and will further develop the apprentice in new areas.

Apprentices on the programme will benefit from the experience of exiting practice through a professional mentoring system which is a collaboration with employers across the south east. The mentoring programme contributes towards attainment of the qualification and professional membership of the RTPI and RICS.

The teaching approach encourages independence in learning and utilises assessment strategies which reflect level 7 study with visits providing the opportunity to explore urban, rural and flood resilience policy-making and planning.

A range of assessment methods relevant to the programme and RTPI learning outcomes are used so that apprentices may develop both subject knowledge and transferable skills.

Formative tasks used for assessment include:

• group working
• presentations
• assessments.

Employer and apprentice commitments

In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:

• conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
• provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
• attend apprentice's progress review (twice a year) 
• release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
• have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.

Throughout the programme, apprentices will:

• attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract 
• record all training sessions and off-the-job learning 
• attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
• behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
• engage with regular progress reviews 
• complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.

Meet the team

Fees and funding information for apprentices 

Course fees

As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.

Student finance

Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.

Learning support

Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Learning Support team on 01273 643 799.

Living costs and benefits

Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642888.

Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.

Other

Brighton and Hove bus discount

NUS card