Master's Programme in Spatial Planning and Development, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

Basic requirements:A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university. Special Requirements: at least 90 ECTS-credits in Social Geography, Geography, Social Planning, Statistics, Economics, Sociology, Ethnology, Political Science, Economic History, Earth Science, Regional Science, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or another Social Planning-related programme including at least 7.5 ECTS-credits in quantitative methods. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

After completing the program, 60 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Magisterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Magisterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 60 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Human Geography with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development.

After completing the program, 120 credits, students may, on application, obtain a Filosofie Masterexamen in accordance with the Local Qualifications Ordinance approved by the Vice Chancellor, see
http://www.student.umu.se/english/getting-your-degree/degree-requirements/?languageId=1
Filosofie Masterexamen translates in English to Degree of Master of Science 120 credits. The degree is awarded in the main field of study, Human Geography with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development.
 

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)
 

National goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad knowledge of the field and deeper insight into certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address, to plan and to use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts, to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
To be awarded a Degree of Master of Science 60 credits with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development the student must;
- be able to summarize and provide an overview of the important elements of an effective planning system,
- be able to independently and in groups assess, summarize and analyze complex spatial planning and development phenomena,
- be able to work in projects and so doing participate in the planning of alternative solutions;
- have sufficient knowledge and understanding of relevant planning methods, especially with a quantitative approach, that the student in a group can produce draft analyzes and solutions, and
- have acquired advanced knowledge and skills to seek, find, evaluate and apply scientific information.

The student should also
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender science perspectives.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
To be awarded a Degree of Master of Science 60 credits with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development the student must;
- be able to describe the essential components of an effective planning system,
- be able to independently assess, summarize, analyze and critically evaluate a complex spatial planning and development phenomena,
- be able to work in projects and so doing help to produce and generate new knowledge and participate in the planning of alternative solutions;
- have such knowledge and understanding of relevant planning methods, especially with a quantitative approach, that the student can independently produce draft analyzes and solutions,
- be able to communicate results orally and in writing in English and
- have acquired advanced knowledge and skills to seek, find, evaluate and use of scientific information.

The student should also
- demonstrate the ability to communicate in English within the main field of study and
- demonstrate the ability to, problematize and analyze the program’s central theories and concepts, from a gender science perspectives.

Examination format

Se current course syllabus

Grades

The program applies a seven-point grading scale with the grades, A, B, C, D, E, F and FX is nothing else is stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam may not retake the exam for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Students have the right to have a previous education or work experience assessed for transfer of credits. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

It is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board upon receiving a negative decision on transfer of credits. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

All the courses in the program are mandatory. The courses are studied in the order listed under the heading Outline. The order of the courses may however be subject to change. For information on how individual courses are set up see the different course syllabus. The courses are normally offered in English.

Thesis
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits in Human Geography with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development.

For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth 30 credits in Human Geography with a specialization in Spatial Planning and Development. The thesis may comprise of less than 30 credits (a minimum of 15 credits) if the student has already completed an independent work in the second cycle of at least 15 credits in Spatial Planning and Development or equivalent from an international education.

Deferment of studies

Deferment of enrollment may be granted if there are extenuating reasons. Examples of extenuating reasons are social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care, student union assignments or postponed leave according to the law (1974:981) on employee’s rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Services.

A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A student admitted to the program can apply for an approved leave from the program. The application is submitted to the Program Study Advisor. An approved leave of absence with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other extenuating circumstances such as child care or student union assignments.

Negative decision concerning the possibility to resume studies after an approved leave of absence can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave their program shall notify their Program Study Advisor of the discontinuation.

Other

Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.

Outline

Semester 1

Semester 2

For students who intend to go for a Masters Degree (one-year)

Semester 3

Semester 4