The University of Manchester has launched a new MSc Transport and Urban Planning  and we’re pleased to announce that this has now received official approval from the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) Professional Standards Committee, run jointly by the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) and the Transport Planning Society (TPS). This approval means the course meets the knowledge requirements for Chartered Transport Planning Professional (CTPP) status.

Chartered Transport Planning Professional recognises transport planning professionals who not only possess strong technical expertise but also have the professional skills needed in the field. The TPP Professional Standards Committee’s approval of the MSc programme reflects the University of Manchester’s commitment to producing graduates equipped to address the complex challenges facing the transport sector today.

Tom van Vuren, chair of the TPP Professional Standards Committee said, “I am proud of the TPP qualification. That’s why it gave me great pleasure to confirm to the University of Manchester that our Panel had agreed that the content of their new MSc Transport and Urban Planning meets the knowledge requirements for TPP, so that graduates from the course will be eligible to take the standard route to TPP.

The course contents illustrate a topical and relevant shift to studying transport planning in the wider context of urban planning, also recognising new data sources, a greater appreciation of uncertainty in planning, and a human focus in all that we do. Perhaps the greatest accolade to the course organisers is that many of my fellow Panel members commented that they would not mind attending it themselves.”

Dr. Ransford A. Acheampong, Course Director for the MSc Transport and Urban Planning at the University of Manchester said “The approval of our MSc in Transport and Urban Planning for meeting the knowledge requirements of the Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification is a significant achievement. It underscores the programme’s alignment with professional standards and adds immense value for our students, ensuring they graduate not only with a strong academic foundation but also with a clear path toward professional accreditation in the transport industry.”

Cat Goumal, Head of Education and Professional Development at the CIHT, highlighted the importance of TPP-approved programmes to the future of Transport Planning. “It’s great to see the introduction of this new MSc Transport and Urban Planning. Throughout the approval process the team at Manchester worked to ensure the course meets the TPP standards ensuring that graduates will have the knowledge they need for a successful career in transport planning. I look forward to seeing graduates from this course as the Chartered Transport Planning Professionals of the future.”

With the TPP accreditation in place, graduates from Manchester’s MSc Transport and Urban Planning programme now have a clear route towards achieving Chartered Transport Planning Professional status after graduating.

To find out more about the Transport Planning Professional Qualification and how to apply https://www.ciht.org.uk/transport-planning-professional/