Home
View of Linköping, a city in Sweden.

Strategic Urban and Regional Planning, Master's Programme

120 credits

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

Apply
Application period 16 Oct - 15 Jan

Strategic Urban and Regional planning, Master's Programme - Second admission round (open only for Swedish/EU students)

Autumn 2026 / Full-time / Linköping

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.

An interdisciplinary approach to change

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.

Building sustainable cities and regions

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, policymaking, 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.

Learning through research and practice

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.

Shape your path - in Sweden and beyond

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.
An Erasmus exchange on Greenland.

From the Campus of LiU to the ice fjords of Greenland

An adventurous exchange programme to icy Greenland might not be for everyone. But LiU student Filip Puljiz saw the opportunity of a lifetime. A scholarship through the Erasmus+ programme made it possible.

An internship improved his career opportunities

Mohammad Habibi Savadkoohi is studying the master’s programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning. He has arranged to do an internship at an international consulting company – something which has opened up a lot of paths for his future.

Syllabus and course details

Course details

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

Semester 1 (30 credits)

Compulsory courses introduce key theories, methods, and practices in strategic urban and regional planning. The focus is on understanding major societal challenges and the role of planning in shaping sustainable cities and regions.

Semester 2 (30 credits)

Compulsory courses continue to build knowledge and skills in analysing and managing complex planning processes. The semester concludes with a course preparing you for thesis work in strategic urban and regional planning.


Semester 3 (30 credits)

This semester offers opportunities for individual specialisation. You can choose elective courses, study abroad, or complete an internship in Sweden or internationally where you carry out a specific task which links to the activities of the chosen organisation and your future professional interests. Electives include topics such as urban sustainability, health, foodscapes, and the politics of planning.

Semester 4 (30 credits)

The final semester is dedicated to the master’s thesis, carried out within the field of urban and regional planning. The thesis should demonstrate your ability to integrate knowledge, skills, and theoretical perspectives from previous 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.
Syllabus and curriculum

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.

Webinar

Link to recorded webinar about the master's programme Strategic Urban and Regional Planning

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.

Jessica Pengel in front of japanese city lights

Hands-on work with climate adaptation

Taking an international master's programme gives new insights and perspectives. Jessica is looking forward to a career in the development of sustainable societies, with respect to both social aspects and the climate.
Jonathan Holmsten in front of the building site of the new Linköping indoor swimming pool.

My favourite - sustainable transport

The master's programme in Strategic Urban and Regional Planning has given Jonathan in-depth knowledge about how urban and regional planning can be used in a long-term perspective. His focus during the internship is sustainable transport.

Alumni stories

Young blonde woman

Ann-Magritt - urban planner shaping the future in Sarpsborg

Ann-Magritt's passion for urban development and public health comes in handy in her work as a community planner at Sarpsborg municipality. Here, she gets to collaborate with both business life and regional actors to ensure sustainable development.
Young woman with long hair in front of woods

Clara is shaping future urban devlopment in Norrköping and Linköping

A common development plan for Linköping and Norrköping may soon become a reality. Clara works to coordinate municipalities' development in buildings and infrastructure to create sustainable and strategic solutions for the future.
Young happy man with a moustache and a brown sweater

Albin creates the streets of the future and sustainable travel habits

How can you influence and make it easier for people to make sustainable choices in their travel? As a traffic planner, Albin works to create safer, more accessible and sustainable urban environments.
Young blonde woman with a blue and white checkered blouse

From urban and regional planning to digital strategist at Sweco

As a project manager at Sweco, no two days are the same. Louise appreciates the variety of her projects, where she amongst other things, works with teenagers to create safe spaces in Stockholm's cityscape.

Research

As a student in urban and regional planning at Linköping University, you will engage with leading researchers and teachers in an interdisciplinary setting. The Department of Thematic Studies – Technology and Social Change offers a vibrant international research environment, with smaller seminars and workshops that encourage active discussion and close interaction between students and staff.

Research in urban and regional planning at the department covers a wide range of themes, including governance structures, planners’ knowledge and expertise, urban development, transport and mobility, transition and transformation studies, climate change, circular construction, and regional policy.

Since strategic urban and regional planning is an interdisciplinary field, the research addresses many of the complex challenges facing society today. It focuses on developing plans and strategies that respond to long-term societal needs and opportunities.

The master’s programme is closely connected to these research activities, giving students the opportunity to expand their academic and research experience through collaborative projects and research initiatives.
Contractors in silhouette

Technology and Social Change (TEMAT)

So much of our lives depend on technology. The development and use of technology creates possibilities as well as social, ethical and political dilemmas. That’s what we study at Tema T – Technology and Social Change.
People on bicycles at Skeppsbron in Stockholm.

The role of urban and regional planning in promoting sustainability energy transitions in the transport sector

Planning for a sustainable energy transition in the transport sector is becoming increasingly important, especially with the implementation of the global sustainability goals, so also in Swedish municipalities and regions.
A person on a roof with solar cells

STRIPE

STRIPE stands for Socio-technical research of infrastructures, politics and the environment. It gathers researchers with an interest in the political and environmental dimensions of infrastructures such as energy, transport and waste.

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

Apply button for master's programmes

How to apply for master's degree studies at LiU

A step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about applying for LiU's international master's degree programmes using the application system in Sweden.
Illustration date

Master's level requirements

In order to be considered for admission for a master's degree programme at Linköping University you must meet certain general and specific entry requirements.
Illustration about distance learning.

Supporting documentation

Along with submitting an online application, you must submit a number of supporting documents that show that you meet the general and specific entry requirements.

Contact us

By filling this form you confirm interest in the programme: Strategic Urban and Regional planning

Tags

LiUBOT