Will this diploma make me a chartered planner?

No. Chartered planner status in the UK is awarded by the RTPI through accredited degrees and a period of supervised professional experience. The Diploma in Urban Planning and Development is a foundational qualification, not a chartered route.

Is the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development UK-focused?

Core concepts are universal and the diploma uses UK planning structures as a reference framework. Many concepts — land use, sustainability, community engagement — apply across jurisdictions; specific statutory frameworks vary.

Do I need a built-environment background to enrol?

No. The diploma is written for general entrants. Some students come from architecture, surveying or council work; others come from social science, geography or general business backgrounds.

Can the diploma help me move into a council planning team?

It is a credible qualification for planning support and administrative roles in local authorities. Senior planning posts typically expect chartered or degree-level qualifications.

Is the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development available online?

Yes. On-campus, online and distance learning modes are available.

How long does the diploma take?

Most learners complete in 9 to 12 months full-time. Distance and part-time learners take longer.

Diploma in Urban Planning and Development | HICL London | Harold International College of London

Diploma in Urban Planning and Development at HICL

How a city grows is rarely an accident. Behind every neighbourhood, every transport corridor, every new housing scheme sits a set of planning decisions, regulations and trade-offs — some good, some less so. The Diploma in Urban Planning and Development at HICL is for people who want to engage with that process seriously, whether they are planning a career in local authority planning, private consultancy, housing, transport or community-side development work.

The diploma sits at a working professional level. It is not a substitute for a chartered planning qualification, which sits inside the RTPI route in the UK and equivalent bodies elsewhere. What it does is build a structured grounding in the concepts, frameworks and conversations planning teams have every day, so you can either step into a support role or use it as a base for further specialist study.

What the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development covers

Expect engagement with land-use planning principles, the structure of the UK planning system (including national and local plan-making), planning policy and development management, urban design fundamentals, housing and regeneration, transport planning and connectivity, environmental and sustainability considerations including climate adaptation, community engagement and the politics of planning decisions. The diploma also touches on real-world tensions — housing supply versus heritage, growth versus environmental constraints, devolved versus national authority — without pretending these are simple.

Who the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development suits

Local authority and council administrative staff moving into planning teams.
Built-environment professionals (architecture, surveying, construction management) wanting a planning literacy layer.
Community development and housing association staff who deal with planning processes from the other side.
Graduates and career changers targeting planning support, consultancy support or regeneration roles.

Where graduates tend to go

Common first or next destinations include planning support officer, development management support, planning consultancy assistant, housing officer and regeneration assistant roles. With experience, some graduates progress into more senior planning posts and pursue chartered status via further study and supervised practice. Outcomes depend on whether you continue toward chartership and on local job-market conditions for the built-environment sector.

How the programme is delivered

HICL offers the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development on-campus, online and via distance learning. Online study allows learners in council, consultancy and housing roles to keep working while they study. Module structure and intake calendar are confirmed at enrolment.

Entry requirements

Completed secondary education or recognised equivalent.
IELTS 5.5 or equivalent for non-native English speakers.
Minimum age 18 at enrolment.
A short statement of interest covering why you want to study urban planning and where you see your career heading.

Apply for the Diploma in Urban Planning and Development

If you want a serious, working-professional grounding in how cities and communities are actually shaped, this is a strong place to start. Click Enroll Now and HICL admissions will respond within one working day with the application form and a current fee schedule.