It matches international programmes and compares planning in different countries, ensuring that graduates can work overseas. The second specialisation enhances planning graduates' capacity to work with other specialists and increases employment choices. In the first year, three planning papers are taught, covering the principles of resource and environmental planning, Geographical Information Systems, and current planning issues. Students also choose four papers from related subjects to provide a grounding for subsequent specialisations. The first year is rounded off with an elective paper of the student's choice.
Students also start their planning-related specialisation in consultation with staff.
These last two papers build bridges between planning and related disciplines and vocations. Students also take an advanced paper in policy analysis. As well as compulsory planning papers, students take further papers from their second specialisation. In the fourth year, papers in advanced Professional Practice are taken, together with applied papers in Development Planning and Natural Resource Planning. A paper in either environmental or professional ethics must be taken in the third or fourth year.