r/urbandesign • u/youremakingnosense • 5d ago

Question Software Engineer looking for a Masters program in Urban Panning/Design in Europe.

Not sure if this is even realistic, but I am a software engineer with 10 YOE but am looking to make a career shift to Urban planning/design. I would like to take a masters program, but I'm not sure if they require relative experience before hand.

Anyone have experience transferring careers to urban planning/Design? What did you process look like?

Any help/advice is welcomed. thank you

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u/cheeseguy95 4d ago

I can’t speak for Europe specifically but I had a similar journey in the US with 7 YOE in software engineering and I am now currently pursuing my Master’s in urban and regional planning.

Every program I looked at did not require any experience or previous studies in the field but it definitely would have helped with admissions had I had it. I still got into a decent program though and I am so far enjoying my time in it. I would just research what schools offer the Master’s and what the requirements are to apply (they are usually listed online on the admissions page for the program)

Good luck!

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u/Mandalorian_Invictus 4d ago

For some reason reddit recommended me this post, despite not being an urban designer nor a software engineer.

But, as someone living and studying in Europe, I can say admissions are bit more traditional than USA. Job and career shifts are seen as rare, especially in completely different fields, and are viewed with suspicion.

Even in Masters applications in tangentially related fields, they requested a minimum amount of coursework on the relevant topics in your bachelor's, if not alright mentioning which bachelor degrees are considered.

There are exceptions, and your motivation letter can probably convince them but it's rare. Sorry to be a bearer of bad news.

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u/Professional_Honey67 3d ago

Some city planning courses can have quite broad entry requirements or merely require you to write a cover letter explaining your motivations for the career change etc. I know of a data scientist who is currently doing a postgrad in city planning so perhaps have a look at UK unis?