Do you want to tackle real-world challenges like climate change, housing, and mobility? Want to develop and shape the cities and communities of tomorrow? If so strategic urban and regional planning is the right choice. 

Strategic Urban and Regional planning, Master's Programme - First and main admission round

Autumn 2025 / Full-time / Linköping

Strategic Urban and Regional planning, Master's Programme - First and main admission round

Autumn 2026 / Full-time / Linköping

Application period not open
Our cities and regions are currently facing fundamental challenges related to climate change, globalization, urbanization, digitalization, and social inequality. Strategic urban and regional planning is one of the most powerful tools for (re)shaping long-term development and creating the sustainable cities and regions of tomorrow.

The master’s programme offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of societal change and strengthen your ability to engage in complex planning processes and agendas, in collaboration with citizens and other stakeholders. It spans multiple disciplines and is designed for students seeking an interdisciplinary approach to today’s societal challenges, with a particular focus on regional development issues in European countries.

Strategic Urban and Regional Planning is a future oriented, interdisciplinary field focused on shaping the long-term development of cities, towns, and regions. It combines spatial planning, policy-making, and sustainability. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in urban and regional planning, with a strong emphasis on strategic approaches. Core components include identifying and managing planning issues within complex social, environmental, and economic contexts. You will develop skills in conducting research, formulating strategies, and coordinating planning efforts at various societal levels.

Our teaching is closely integrated with advanced research in urban and regional planning. The programme ensures direct engagement with ongoing research and maintains strong partnerships with public and private sector organizations, offering real-world learning opportunities. You can tailor your studies to align with your interests, professional goals, or area of expertise.

In the third semester, you can choose from a range of elective courses, study abroad options, or internships with businesses, organizations, or research institutes in Sweden or internationally.

Syllabus and course details

Course details

The programme runs over two years and encompasses 120 credits, including a thesis.

Semester 1 and 2

In the first two semesters the programme consists of compulsory courses (60 credits) characterised by both knowledge and skills within strategic urban and regional planning. The second term concludes with a course to prepare for writing a thesis in strategic urban and regional planning.

Semester 3

In the third semester, the programme allows students an individual specialisation through studies abroad, internships and elective courses. The elective courses give the student opportunities to deepen the students’ knowledge and skills in, for example, health, visualisation, foodscapes, urban sustainability, and the politics of planning. The internship can be performed in Sweden or abroad where the students carry out a specific task which links to the activities of the chosen organisation and the students’ future professional interests.

Semester 4

The topic of the master’s thesis is decided together with the supervisor. The master’s thesis shall be written within the main area of study, urban and regional planning and should integrate the knowledge, skills, and theoretical approaches garnered in the first three semesters.

Further information

A detailed syllabus, curriculum and information on courses, including literature, can be found in our Study Information database via the link below. For entry requirements and tuition fees, please click the ”Admission requirements” tab at the top of the page.

Webinar

This webinar covers the programme structure, the master’s thesis, examination forms, job opportunities, related research, and what it’s like to live in Sweden.

Student insights

Young asian woman in a yellow shirt in front of palm trees and blue sky

Wenjing Wang, China

Planning for cities and dealing with the challenges of sustainability and climate transformation is very important under the circumstance of globalization. I would like to play a role in this process and plan for smart cities in the era of digitalization. Linköping University support me in this ambition. It provides med with the academic and theoretical knowledge and I have learned how to corporate with others by participating in the group works.

Alumni stories

News on the programme

Career opportunities

This programme equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a wide range of careers related to urban and regional planning. Addressing planning challenges requires an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from multiple academic fields. Few universities offer as broad and integrated a perspective as Linköping University (LiU), where faculty members come from diverse academic backgrounds.

The programme lays a strong foundation for a career in urban and regional planning. Our graduates hold positions such as strategic planner, environmental strategist, digital strategist, planning manager, traffic planner, comprehensive planner, regional developer, planning architect, urban planning project manager, and external analyst.

You will be qualified for roles in municipalities, regional associations, county councils, government agencies, private companies, consultancies, universities, and non-profit organisations. Additionally, the programme provides eligibility for doctoral studies.

Research

Application and admission

Application document checklist

  1. Diploma(s) of your degree(s) from an internationally recognized university, or a Final year certificate.
  2. Transcripts of completed courses and grades for each semester included in your degree. If you have had courses credited/transferred from previous studies, you must also submit official transcripts for those courses.
  3. Proof that you meet the specific entry requirements, for example relevant pages of course syllabuses (course descriptions), if the required courses/subjects are not clearly stated on your transcript.
  4. Proof of English language proficiency.
  5. A copy of your passport.


Much of what you need to submit – and how – is based on where you completed your studies. Find out how to do things right on University Admission: Country instructions!

University Admissions: Provide application documents

Letters of intent or recommendation are not required.

Related information

Contact us

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