Overview
Many African countries have recently adopted policies for decentralized development and governance, which has led to a growing demand for qualified planners. The Master of Arts in Planning Programme aims to train a high caliber of professionally qualified personnel in Urban and Regional Planning. The programme provides planners with the requisite skills and specialized knowledge needed to address numerous challenges associated with rapid urbanization and resource use in Africa. The Department of Urban and Regional Planning has been a leading institution for training professional planners in the entire Eastern and Southern African region.
The regulations and syllabus for the degree of Master of Arts in Planning have recently been revised to introduce a new approach in planning and provide flexibility for candidates to pursue the course on a semester basis.
The programme incorporates theoretical foundations of planning and a strong practical and professional training, along with multi-disciplinary knowledge in planning areas, methods of research and analysis and computer application skills. The course is intended for graduates and professional with relevant educational background and experience who wish to take up planning roles with public, private, voluntary and international agencies working at local, sub-national, national and international levels.
Structure
The programme will be covered over thirty-four (34) course units consisting of lectures, seminars, fieldwork, practical (studio), research project and examinations.
A candidate shall be allowed to take a minimum of three (3) course units and a maximum of nine (9) course units per semester.
The programme shall be covered in a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of twelve (12) semesters.
All courses, seminars, studio, research project and examinations are compulsory. The programme shall proceed from levels one to four:
The Research Project shall constitute four (4) course units while the Rural, Urban and Regional Planning Studio shall constitute two, three and four course units respectively.
Admission Requirements
The common regulations for the Masters degrees in all faculties of the University of Nairobi shall be applicable.
The following shall be eligible for admission into the degree of Master of Arts in Planning:
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A holder of a Bachelors degree, of at least upper second class honors in planning, architecture, land economics, building economics, civil engineering, design, surveying, agriculture, law, economics, geography, sociology, government, anthropology, social work or any other relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparable academic status.
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A holder of a Bachelors degree, of lower second class honors in any of the degree categories specified above with a relevant postgraduate diploma or other equivalent qualifications from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparable academic status or with at least three (3) years of relevant work experience.
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A holder of a pass degree in any of the degree categories specified in above with a credit in a relevant postgraduate diploma or other equivalent qualifications from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by Senate as being of comparative academic status, and at least (5) years of relevant work experience.
Careers
Masters of Arts In Planning
Fees and Funding
Semester I
Semester II
Yearly Total
Tuition Fees @ 9,000
49,500.00
49,500.00
99,000.00
Medical
5,000.00
-
5,000.00
Computer
25,000.00
-
25,000.00
Caution Fees
5,000.00
-
5,000.00
Library
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
Registration
1,000.00
-
1,000.00
Exams @1000
11,000.00
-
11,000.00
Field Excusion
57,500.00
-
57,500.00
Project
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
ID Card
500.00
-
500.00
Activity
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
Total
160,500.00
49,500.00
210,000.00
MA in Planning-Year 2 (total of 10 units)
Semester I
Semester II
Yearly Total
Tuition Fees @ 9,000
45,000.00
45,000.00
90,000.00
Medical
5,000.00
-
5,000.00
Computer
25,000.00
-
25,000.00
Library
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
Registration
1,000.00
-
1,000.00
Exams @1000
10,000.00
-
10,000.00
Field Excusion
57,500.00
-
57,500.00
Project
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
ID Card
500.00
-
500.00
Activity
2,000.00
-
2,000.00
Total
150,000.00
45,000.00
195,000.00
Grand Total: MA Planning (total of 21 Units)
598,000.00
Exam Regulations
The programme is examined through written examinations and planning studio research projects.
Written examinations
A candidate shall be allowed to sit for examinations only when he/she has attended at least two thirds of the prescribed course contact hours.
Examinations are to be conducted in the semester in which the courses are taught or other times as may be recommended by the Faculty Board and approved by Senate.
Written examinations constitute 60% of the marks in each course unit while the coursework constitute the remaining 40%.
Coursework consists of assignments, semester papers, seminar presentations and such other tests as may be given during the semester.
The pass mark for each course unit is fifty percent (50%).
Planning Studio
A candidate is required to pass all stages of planning studio (practical) courses.
Each candidate is required to prepare a planning portfolio comprising of a written report, illustrations and models for each stage of the studio course and submit it to the department for examination two weeks before the end of the semester in which it is being examined.
The studio is examined as follows:
(i) seventy percent (70%) for portfolio,
(ii) thirty percent (30%) for oral presentation.
Research Project
Each candidate shall carry out an original research on a selected topic of planning significance.
Once the research project has been started, it must be completed within two (2) semesters.
The project is examined as follows:-
(i) seventy percent (70%) Project Report,
(ii) thirty percent (30%) for oral presentation.
Maintenance of Student Status
If a student has to interrupt his/her study, he/she must inform the Board of Postgraduate Studies in writing before the start of the semester (s) in which they wish to suspend studies and comply with other University requirements for the maintenance of student status.
