Master in Urban Planning and Development
- About the programme
- Programme structure
- Entry requirements
- Tuition fees & scholarships
| • Programme duration: | 2 years |
| • Delivery language: | English |
| • Degree awarded: | Master in Urban Planning and Development |
| • Accreditation: | The curriculum follows the European ECTS system and the degree is awarded by Sorbonne University. This programme is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation. |
| • Admission deadline : |
28 August 2025 (No intake in 2024) |
| • Interview dates: | TBA |
The Master in Urban Planning and Development was developed by the Urban and Regional Planning Institute in Paris more than 25 years ago and is offered with the goal of educating the next generation of urban planners on how to address Abu Dhabi’s rapid urban growth and the need for effective planning.
The objective of this programme is to educate students about the role of planners and their ecological and socio-economic impact. Students will study the comprehensive policies and planning tools that affect the way urban planners strategically link the complex mapping requirements of cities and regions, including budget, legalities, availability of infrastructure and land, as well as aesthetic and visual choices.
Throughout their education, students will study comprehensive policies, planning tools, and technological advances including Geographic Information Systems, ways in which to maximise space and how to merge form with function. Students will also learn to organise metropolitan areas based on thematic and specialised specifications.
Several key modules are taught throughout the programme, including UAE urban planning law, public space planning, real estate, tourism planning, transport, architecture, heritage and landscaping, amongst others.
There are abundant rewarding career opportunities on a regional and global scale for graduates of the Urban and Regional Planning programme. Graduates enter promising careers with engineering and design consultancy firms, urban developers, real estate agencies, government enterprises involved with urban affairs, environmental management, community development and research agencies amongst others.
Typical delivery format of the courses*
M1 and M2
| Day | Morning | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm | |
| Tuesday | 4:30pm – 8:30pm | |
| Sunday | 9:30am – 6:30pm | |
*This is the usual pattern of the courses, changes may sometimes occur.
Year 1
Semester 1
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Urban Planning |
|
| Methodology and Tools |
|
| Legal Framework |
|
| Urban Planning Practices |
|
Semester 2
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Workshop |
|
| Methodology and Tools |
|
| Fundamentals of Urban Planning |
|
Year 2
Semester 1
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Urban Planning |
|
| Methodology and Tools |
|
| Urban Planning Practices |
|
Semester 2
| Modules | Courses |
|---|---|
| Final workshop presentation |
|
| Master thesis |
|
- Bachelor in a relevant field with a CGPA of 3 out of 4 or equivalent.
Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 (or equivalent scores as per the equivalency table) may be conditionally admitted under probation during the first semester. The student will be authorized to continue in the program only if they secure an average of at least 12 out of 20 which is obtained by the end of the first semester. The decision is based on academic performance and will be made official after the completion of the first semester
or Bachelor with minimum of 2nd class honours
or Bachelor with an average of 12 out of 20 - Bachelor students with a GPA below 3 may be admitted on the ground of their professional and/or personal experience, in case they are granted a VAPP by SU’s or UP’s VAPP commission
- IELTS certificate with minimum overall band of 6.0 with a validity of 2 years or TOEFL certificate with minimum score of 79 (or equivalent) with a validity of 2 years or Minimum EmSAT English score of 1400 with a validity of 18 months or, Native English speaker who completed 3 full years in an English-medium institution within a maximum period of 3 years
- A minimum 3 years relevant professional experience, applicants not having a minimum of 3 years relevant professional experience will be required to pass the entry test (oral examination)
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an interview to assess the candidate’s motivation, career expectations and relevant professional experience in the degree area.
Applicants who earned their undergraduate degrees from universities outside the UAE must present a Certificate of Equivalency for their graduation certificates from the UAE Ministry of Education. Applicants, who are holders of undergraduate degrees issued by a licensed higher education institution in the UAE, are required to submit a copy of their degrees attested by the UAE Ministry of Education. For details on requirements, kindly visit the website: Ministry of Education.
|
• Programme tuition fees (over 2 years): |
AED 166,400 (approximately US$ 45,344) |
|
• Payment of Fees: |
Click here |
Scholarships*
25% academic excellence scholarship
New joiners are eligible to 25% scholarship on tuition starting from the 1st semester. To be eligible, applicants are required to meet one of the below criteria:
- Bachelor CGPA average of 3.6/4.0 and above, or equivalent
- Bachelor with Final Average of 15/20 above
- Bachelor with first class honors
- Candidates graduating as the top of class, despite the average
A minimum average of 14/20 is required to maintain the scholarship for the following semesters.
For programmes taught in English: an English Proficiency level with a minimum of 7.0 for IELTS or 94 for TOELF IB
Preferential rates
20% Alumni preferential rate
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi alumni are eligible to a 20% waiver on tuition fee.
25% preferential rate upon enrolment on a second master’s degree
Applicants holding a master degree from SUAD and enrolling for a second master degree at SUAD are entitled to a 25% waiver on tuition.
5%-15% corporate rate
Companies and organizations benefit from a special discount, based on the number of employees enrolling in programmes. For more details, please contact +971(0) 2-6569311
10% Family discount
Students who have a first-degree relative currently enrolled in an undergraduate or a postgraduate programmes are eligible for a 10% discount.
*Conditions apply
