• Programme Structure
• Admission Requirements

The Programme Master of Spatial Planning at the Dortmund University of Technology has a standard period of study of two semesters. The Master Programme equips students with the academic degree Master of Science (MSc). Therefore 60 credits from four modules have to be acquired. These credits are compatible with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS):

• Module 1: Basics and and methodical qualifications (8 Credits)
  
• Module 2: Master Planning Studio/Master Urban Design Studio (12 Credits)
  
• Module 3: Major subject and subjects of choice (20 Credits)
• Module 4: Master Thesis (20 Credits)

The four modules provide a wide and comprehensive understanding of Spatial Planning and cover aspects of spatial planning at different levels. In the Master Course the students will get a basic understanding of science, social science and engineering and as well as basics of research methods.

As a result of the course structure 30 credits have to be acquired each semester by means of written or oral exams or assignments.

Specialisation

Students can specialise in one of the following areas:

• Transformation of Post-Industrial Regions (ToPIR, in Englisch language)
  International perspective on the structural change on the Ruhr area; questions, strategies and challenges concerning post-industrial regions in regional competition.
• Strategic Urban and Regional Development:
  Principles of strategic spatial development and governance at the local, regional and national level; Case study method for evaluation of factors of success of spatial planning.
• Urban Design:
  Analysis of urbanistic problems within districts and quarters; Development of strategies for urban renewal and neighbourhood management; Evaluation and development of urbanistic planning and design concepts.
• Environmental and Open Space Planning:
  Spectrum of different study courses in the subject of leisure space planning, environmental planning and landscape planning; Current subjects like the Adaption to Climate Change; Instrumental and methodical aspects.
  
• Real Estate Management:
  Correlation between spatial planning and real estate markets; Analysis, Planning and Management of residential and commercial estate; Development and implementation of strategies for the enhancement of real estate projects’ value.
• Spatial Research and Mobility Research:
  Research-oriented confrontation with recent questions of mobility research; Theoretical concepts and methodical instruments.
  
• Renewable Energies:
  Cooperation with Faculty of Electrical Engineering; Current objectives for a conversion of the German power supply and developing process regarding the energy transition; Local and regional level of determining and implementing necessary lots, locations and paths; Integrated development plans as a coordination process with different actors.
  

General and Methodical Qualifications:

In Module 1 basic qualifications and research methods will be tought:

• Soft Skills – Communication, rhetoric, academic writing, drawing skills (for urban designs and plans).
• Planning Theory – Current international planning discourses, chances and restrictions of formal decision processes
• Research Methods – Modelling of spatial distribution and development, gender studies, space and mobility research, conception and acquisition of research and planning projects. 

Master Planning Studio: According to the individually chosen field of specialisation each student has to participate in a Master Planning Studio which is linked to the field of specialisation. In a small group, the students will have to work on a complex spatial problem. The studio's work is used to teach analytical and conceptual competences. Furthermore, the students can test by means of the studio work how well their general competences like team work, project management and coordination are.

Master Thesis: The Master Thesis (Module 4) is an academic research paper. The students can choose whether they prefer a theoretical, empiric or conceptual work. The Master Thesis forces the students to solve a complex research question with scientific methods on their own.

Although some of the fields of specialisation include English lectures the course language ist German. Further information can be found on our German website.

Contact person: see Academic Counseling

The MSc Spatial Planning is a one-year full-time programme. Students are selected on the basis of their application and their previous education. The minimum entry requirement is a Bachelor or Diplom degree in spatial planning or any other spatial discipline. A certificate of a completed German test (level DSH-2 and interview) is necessary for a successful application.

Depending on the previous degree and the previous study time additional courses up to 60 ECTS credit points have to be successfully completed. The Master Programme Admission Board decides about structure and extend. The study time at the School of Spatial Planning can hence be between two and four semesters. Please take this into account when you apply for our Master Programme.

The list of possible modules to visit comprises several modules which are part of our Bachelor programme. Tuition is completely in German.

More information can be found on the German part of this website.

The International Office is responsible for admissions of students coming from outside the European Union:
International Office (AAA)