Welcome to your course
Welcome to the Urban and Regional Planning (RTPI Apprenticeship) MA at the School of Architecture and Cities!
The Apprenticeship degree is a new form of degree that the University has been providing over the past 3 years. Urban Planning is a fascinating and hugely important subject to study and I look forward to an intensive but rewarding time with you on this course to support you as you work alongside the degree. We will begin by having two inductions, one for the apprenticeship requirements and the School/Course welcome week. Both of these sessions will be in September and will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the course, its structure and the resources available to support your learning, and to network and get to know both the apprenticeship and regular urban planning students. I look forward to seeing you all that week as you begin your learning journey with us.
John Somers
Welcome to the School of Architecture + Cities
During your time in the School the focus is on your work and creative outputs – and we are committed helping you achieve your potential. As well as the full-time teaching staff, leading practitioners teach on our courses, and employers mentor students. The School brings together a variety of disciplines to address future environmental and social challenges – urban and environmental design to architecture, architectural technology, interior architecture, planning, and tourism and events. Our Marylebone campus is perfectly placed for exploring London, and houses some of the most advanced teaching and fabrication spaces in the city.
During your welcome week, there will be a programme of activities arranged for you, so please attend all the events on your individual timetable – as well as the formality of enrolment, you will get to work with your course tutors and fellow students.
Best wishes
Kate Cheyne
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
As part of your induction and to complete your enrolment, you'll need to collect your student ID card.
Your time slot for collection is:
9.30am, Tuesday 16 September 2025
Marylebone Campus
For more information about enrolment, including related FAQs, visit our Enrolment for new students page.
Course induction schedule
Your course induction events may take place online or on campus – check the details for each event below.
The timing and venue for events may change, so double check this page closer to the date.
Apprenticeship Induction Schedule
10am–5pm Room M311, Marylebone Campus
- Welcome from the Apprenticeship Team;
- Assigning your skills coach
- Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs)
- Filling in your Off-the-Job log book
- Filling in your reflective Journal
Enrolment and ID card collection
9.30am
Marylebone Campus
Studying Urban and Regional Planning at Westminster I
10am–5.30pm Room C279, Marylebone Campus
- Welcome and introduction
- Activity: What makes "good" places and what is the purpose of planning?
To facilitate our discussion, please upload two pictures of your hometown (or a city you know), one of a place you find attractive and "well planned", and one of a place you find unattractive or "poorly planned" - to prepare these photos and we will give the web address in class - Your course in more detail
- Lunch
- Study essentials and university rules, resources and services you need to know
- Exploring Marylebone the what, how and why, and impact of urban planning ("scavenger hunt")
Optional event
Marylebone Welcome Fair
The fair will provide students with the opportunity to see what the student union and University has to offer them, outside their studies.
10am–4pm
Marylebone Campus
Studying Urban and Regional Planning at Westminster II:
10am–2pm Room M207, Marylebone Campus
- Study essentials and university rules, resources and services you need to know (cont'ed)
Introduction to Blackboard
Exploring King's Cross (Site Visit), followed by informal Get-Together
2pm-ca. 5.30pm
Join at 2pm in front of Marylebone campus or meet at 2.30pm in front of “King’s Cross Welcome Hub (Unit 5, 3 Pancras Square London N1C 4AG)” (please note you have to pay for your bus or tube journey yourself).
Optional event
Marylebone Welcome Fair
The fair will provide students with the opportunity to see what the student union and University has to offer them, outside their studies.
10am–4pm
Marylebone Campus
Optional: College Social - Outdoor Film Screening
6.30–9.30pm
All students are invited to an outdoor cinema event at the Harrow Campus. The college will be providing one free drink and a choice of snack for the first 300 attendees, as well as a paid bar during the screening.
Reserve your free ticket for the Outdoor Film Screening
Online Q&A Drop-In Session (Optional)
1-2pm (login details will be provided closer to the date)
Optional: Harrow Welcome Fair
Timings TBC
Harrow Campus
The fair will provide students with the opportunity to see what the student union and university has to offer them outside their studies.
Optional: WestFest 2025
12–7pm
Harrow Campus (Car Park area)
Registration details to follow.
Course resources
Blackboard
Blackboard is our online learning platform, which you'll be able to log in to after you've set up your University email address and password.
Teaching timetables
Teaching starts in the week commencing Monday 22 September and you can check your teaching timetable to see when and where your classes are being held.
Course handbook
Full details on the course structure, modules and course team are included in the course handbook, which can be found on Blackboard.
Reading list
Your reading list can be found in the course handbook on Blackboard.
Equipment and materials
Digital technology
While you can borrow laptops through the University for 24 hours, it's better to have your own. If you're not sure what to buy, our technical support team can advise you once you've enrolled.
You'll be eligible for a student discount on computer purchases.
A smart phone with a good camera function is very useful for recording your work and for online communication.
Support and services
Welcome to Westminster
Visit our Welcome to Westminster page for everything you need to get started at Westminster.
Student Centre
If you need help with enrolment or have any questions, please use the live chat.
Academic English
If you'd like to hone your academic English skills, watch our Academic English for Disciplinary Study Module video for starters and consider joining one of our Academic English Modules. If you have any questions, get in touch with the Academic English team at [email protected].