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UNICAEN | UNIVERSITÉ DE CAEN NORMANDIE | UFR Sciences économiques, gestion, géographie et aménagement des territoires

Master's degree Urbanisme et Aménagement Programme Aménagement durable, urbanisme rénové, assistance à maîtrise d’ouvrage

Master’s degree certified by the French governmentLabel Bienvenue en France

This programme is taught in French.

field(s) of training :

Humanities and Social Sciences

diploma level :

Master's degree (five-year degree)

duration of the program :

2 years

location(s) :

Campus 1, Caen, Normandy, France

Course overview

The urban planning professions have undergone a radical transformation in recent years. Sustainable development, ecological transition, climate resilience... You want to become a specialist in sustainable urban planning in an evolving societal and legal context? The Master's degree in Urban planning and development is a unique programme in France, combining legal skills, geographical analysis and an introduction to territorial strategies.

Highlights

The Master's in Urban planning and development combines urban planning law and urban planning. As such, students can be from a wide range of backgrounds, profiles, regions and even countries!

To make it easier for you to fit in and to learn teamwork, the programme offers various hands-on activities: workshops, tutored projects, round tables, role-playing, etc.

The programme also has access to specific tools:

  • Computer rooms
  • Library specialised in Geography and economy with trained staff
  • Map room

Partnerships

The master's degree is highly involved in the regional professional and technical landscape, thanks to the regional training network (Université du Havre, IUT d'Alençon, ESAM, Sciences-Po Rennes, Caen Transitions Campus, etc.):

  • The Communauté urbaine Caen La Mer as well as other inter-municipalities such as the Communautés de Communes Coutances Mer et Bocage, Pré-Bocage Intercom.
  • Developers (Shema, Normandie aménagements, etc.)
  • Social landlords (Les Foyers Normands, Plaine Normande, Inolya)
  • Architecture and town planning firms
  • Real estate developers (Foncim, Edifidès)
  • Associations such as Territoires Pionniers
  • Architecture, urban planning planning and environment councils in Calvados, Manche, Orne, etc.
  • Decentralised government departments

A research-oriented programme

If you are interested into research in urban planning and development, the master's is also supported by laboratories at the University of Caen Normandie:

Application requirements

Entry requirements

To enter this Master's programme, you must have obtained a 3-year higher education qualification in France (even if you come from abroad, given the requirements of the course), such as :

  • a Bachelor's degree in
    • Geography and planning
    • Law (public law, property law, etc.)
    • Sociology
    • Economics
    • Ecology
    • Political science
  • Vocational bachelor's degrees in planning, real estate and landscape design
  • University bachelor's of technology in social or legal careers

To apply, you must provide a portfolio:

If your application is accepted, you may be interviewed by members of the teaching team.

Language proficiency requirements

Minimum French proficiency level required: C1

Apply and register

The registration process takes place in 3 steps:

Application process

Admission and registration requirements may vary depending on your nationality, country of residence, foreign secondary school leaving certificate, and the nature of your programme of study. Discover how to apply to the University of Caen Normandy.

Welcoming international students

Read: Label « Bienvenue en France » : une 3e étoile pour l’université ! (in French)

Since 2019, the University of Caen Normandy has been awarded the "Bienvenue en France" label by Campus France, highlighting the quality of the university's welcome for international students.

 

 

Course structure

The Master's :

  • Takes place on site at Campus 1 of the University of Caen Normandie.
  • Amounts to approximatively
    • 26 hours a week over two semesters in Year 1
    • 35 hours per week over 14 weeks in Year 2 (on a apprenticeship contract or professional training contract).
  • Includes internships or an apprenticeship in Year 2.
  • Work-study planning: 1 to 2 weeks at the university (excluding exams and revision) / 2 to 3 weeks at work. Over a year: 14 weeks in the university and 34 weeks at work.

Course units

The Master's degree in Urban planning and development is a versatile programme focusing on:

  • Territorial analysis (spatial dynamics, socio-economic and socio-demographic contexts, ways of living, configurations of players)
  • Urban planning and development policies, housing policies
  • Public law (urban planning law, local authority law)

The programme also provides professional experience:

  • Workshops and tutored projects (based on assignments)
  • Exchanges with professionals (round tables, professional speakers, study trips).
  • Internships and apprenticeship

The Master's also teaches transferable skills:

  • GIS, cartography, computer-aided design
  • English (interventions of the urban studies conference may be in English)

Internships and placements

In Year 2, the Master's encourages apprenticeship. However, internships are available in:

  • M1: optional internship of 4 to 8 weeks
  • M2: if you do not have an apprenticeship, you can do an an end-of-studies internship of at least 4 months. You will be graded based on a internship report and presentation.

Language of instruction

French

Study abroad

The Master's in Urban planning and development organises study trips to France or Europe to discover other urban and regional experiences. If you're interested in research, you can benefit from the international networks of the laboratories associated with the course.

Learning outcome

With a Master's degree in Urban planning and development, you will be able to :

  • Master a high level of legal and regulatory knowledge
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the development of territorial policies
  • Master operational skills in urban planning and project planning
  • Master technical skills in CAD (computer-aided design) and GIS (geographic information systems)
  • Analyse territorial, social and urban dynamics and anticipating their changes
  • Manage urban planning and development projects, from the beginning to the end of the process, from assessing the project to completing the construction
  • Assist a local authority (or any other body) to define a strategy and choose a method of implementation
  • Organise and coordinate the activities of the various partners involved in a project
  • Lead a structure or department of a local authority in terms of urban development or planning policy
  • Coordinate the projects of a contracting authority, ensuring that they are consistent with local strategies, regulatory requirements and the principles of sustainable and innovative urban planning.

Further study

A Master's degree aims at becoming a trained professional in your speciality. You can also

  • Continue your studies with doctoral studies in the field of urban planning.
  • Prepare for local government entrance examinations (editor, attaché)

Careers

Opportunities

  • Urban planner
  • Project manager
  • Territorial analyst
  • Business manager (particularly land)
  • Housing project manager
  • Land operations manager
  • Development officer
  • Assistant urban planning project manager
  • Development project manager
  • Head of urban planning and development department
  • Associate in town planning law in a design office, notary's office, chartered surveyor's office, law firm or architect's office.

Sectors

  • Local development
  • Implementation and management of public authority policy
  • Socioeconomic studies and forecasts
  • Property project management
  • Designing and steering public policy
  • Research in human and social sciences

Address

Université de Caen Normandie

UFR SEGGAT · Sciences économiques, de gestion, de géographie et d’aménagement des territoires

Esplanade de la Paix · CS 14032 · 14032 Caen Cedex 5

France

Course leader

Alice Rouyer · alice.rouyer@unicaen.fr

Pauline Bosredon · pauline.bosredon@unicaen.fr

Stephane Valognes · stephane.valognes@unicaen.fr

Vincent Le Grand · vincent.legrand@unicaen.fr

Location

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