This MA prepares graduates for careers in planning, surveying, community planning, regional planning, sustainable planning futures and related geographical careers. Planning as a branch of geographical thought focuses on ensuring that the most suitable development occurs in the right place at the right time. This development should benefit communities and other interests such as the economy in a sustainable way. Planning is central to identifying what development is needed and where. As a discipline planning considers which areas need to be protected and which need to be enhanced, and in making these judgements it assesses the suitability of each proposed development on its own merits in relation to the context at hand. Therefore planning plays an important role in our society.When taking this masters programme, students will consider how planning can make the best use of our resources and examine the various contexts that allow necessary and worthwhile development to proceed. Students will consider how the environment and heritage of our towns, cities and countryside is protected. They will be fully cognisant of global phenomena such as climate change, technological change, and migration trends, and their significance for planning. Public participation holds a key role in planning and is a central focus of the programme. <br>The programme is directed primarily at graduates from Social Sciences and related disciplines who wish to further their knowledge and expertise in planning, place making and sustainable development of our towns and cities, their hinterlands and associated communities.<br><br>Career Opportunities<br>Future career prospects<br>Graduates of this programme will be able to consider careers in a number of areas dealing with rural innovation, development and planning, including the following sectors: Government Departments. Public Service Organisations Local Tourism and Heritage Organisations. Local Development Organisations. International Aid Organisations.<br>Further study opportunities<br>Graduates of this programme will be able to continue their studies to PhD level in a range of disciplines at University of Galway.<br><br>Learning Outcomes<br>Aims, objectives and learning outcomes of the programme <br>This programme aims to create professional planners who will ensure that the most suitable development occurs in the right place at the right time, and that this development will benefit communities and other related interests in a sustainable way. <br>The programme objectives include providing students with specialist knowledge and training that will prepare them to: <br>Evaluate the vital importance of planning to future sustainable development. <br>Identify current and future planning needs and challenges and respond to these challenges in a critical and reflexive way.