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Planning, Urban Design and Landscape

If you are interested in making better spaces and improving landscapes and the lives of those living in them, a career in Planning and Urban Design may be for you.  

Professionals working within Planning and Urban Design include architects, landscape architects and town planners. The work may include surveying, research and data analysis to inform planning decisions and make recommendations for future development, developing plans and preparing reports and presenting findings to stakeholders. 

In this area, you can expect to interact with many stakeholders, from colleagues in multiskilled teams, to local government, councils and local communities. Work is available in both the public and private sectors. You can expect to be based in an office but also make regular site visits to projects you are working on. 

Urban Design roles usually require an Undergraduate degree in a related discipline, for example architecture, civil engineering, geography, graphic design or urban design and planning. Employers may also require a Masters-level qualification and favour those with plenty of work experience. Less commonly, you may move from a related sector into Urban Design.  

Further research 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring the role requirements outlined in the person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • Analytical and research Skills - to assess demographic data, environmental impact reports, transport patterns, and housing needs.
  • Communication - to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, developers, community groups, and the public.
  • Negotiation and mediation - to aid balancing conflicting interests (e.g., developers vs. residents).
  • Spatial Awareness and Design - understanding how spaces function and interact is crucial for creating environments that are safe, accessible, and pleasant to live in.
  • Project Management - projects can span years and involve multiple phases. Planners need to manage timelines, budgets, and resources efficiently.
  • Technical skills (GIS, CAD, etc.) - to help visualize data, model scenarios, and present plans effectively 

To develop these skills, Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.     

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs and societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. Read  RTPI | Types of work experience to inspire you with ideas. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Volunteering 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Green Consultants can provide you with knowledge about the environment and sustainability that is beneficial to anyone wishing to work in this area.
  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
  • Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university.
  • The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Use the following directories for contact details of local government planning teams: 

Speculative applications are commonly used to gain landscape architecture experience. Search for government departments, traders and non-profit organisations to contact using the following resources: 

Finding part-time work  

Many students work part-time during their studies. Part-time jobs are often in hospitality or retail which offer great opportunities to develop transferrable interpersonal, communication and teamworking skills. Search for part-time work on the websites below:   

You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students. You can use filters to show part-time work and set the location as Exeter or Penryn/Falmouth.   

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers. Graduate jobs are usually normal permanent positions which are recruited for throughout the year as and when a specific need is identified by an employer.   

Places where you can find job vacancies:   

You could also consider approaching government departments or other organisations with responsibility for planning, land use, or related areas such as protecting the natural environment, for example: 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Graduate schemes and internships 

Graduate schemes last typically between one and three years, provide on the job training, supported by professionals experienced in the area as well as more formal learning. Sometimes this will include industry qualifications specific to the role. You may also have a variety of projects in other parts of the business during rotations which will give you a broader understanding of the whole organisation. 

Placements 

 If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Many Planning roles are open to graduates from any discipline. Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

Advice 

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study. If you are unsure whether further study is for you, you may wish to attend our ‘Postgraduate study: is it right for me?’ session which runs termly. Find these advertised on Handshake.