Urban planning vs urban design? UK vs US? grad school?

[surreality]

Hi all,

I currently have a background in design and architecture, and I'm interested in pursuing my graduate studies in urban planning. I have been accepted to UPenn and USC's urban planning programs and University College London's urban design program. If anyone knows anything about the programs, I'd like some feedback please.

I'm looking to transition my design skills in a larger arena. Some have told me that it's better to pursue an urban planning degree and then work as an urban designer (is that possible?), but I'm not sure the programs I've been accepted to will offer me both. Another option is to pursue either the MArch Urban Design or the Master in Planning degree first, and then go back to pursue the other afterwards. But that can get really expensive.

The MArch UD program is 1 year long, 12 month intensive program. I was thinking perhaps I can study that, and then do another 12 month program of urban planning at the same school... but would I be losing the full education of urban planning that i might gain in the US? Is there a huge difference between schools in the US vs. UK? would I still be able to get a job coming back to the US?

Sorry for the many questions. It's just this is really important to me, and I don't have much time to decide. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated! Thank you!

[b3nr]

I'm looking to transition my design skills in a larger arena. Some have told me that it's better to pursue an urban planning degree and then work as an urban designer (is that possible?)

It is possible, because you can do a planning degree and specialise in urban design and you will still have Urban Planning (Town and Country) to fall back on. Urban Design is harder to get a job in than planning, becuase there are fewer of them and ... erm well its more fun :P

BUT as you already have a design / architecture degree (?) I personally would do the Ma as its only 12 months and a degree + Ma is about as qualified as you ever need to be.

UCL has a good rep as a university. If you can afford to live in London then great!

I don't know how U.S employers see UK qualifications.

Sounds like some big decisions to make!

[Basher]

Hi all,

I currently have a background in design and architecture, and I'm interested in pursuing my graduate studies in urban planning. I have been accepted to UPenn and USC's urban planning programs and University College London's urban design program. If anyone knows anything about the programs, I'd like some feedback please.
you!

If I can ask, in what ballpark were your GRE scores? I realize this is a nosey question, but I'm a rising college senior currently preparing for the GRE and I don't have much of an idea what to aim for in order for my scores to be competitive. Any advice you could give about the admission process to UPenn's program would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Dan]

Moved from the former Planning in the UK forum.