Master of Arts Planning

Master of Arts Planning is a Masters program taught at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. The program is offered in campus-based modes with full-time options.

The University of British Columbia’s Master of Arts in Planning (MAP) is SCARP’s research master’s degree and is thesis-based. MAP and MScP represent the same degree program, with MAP conferred to students who entered with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students work on research focused on Community Development and Social Planning, Comparative Development Planning, Disaster and Risk Management Planning, Ecological and Natural Resources Planning, Transportation Planning, and Urban Development Planning.

MAP includes coursework plus a required thesis. Students complete required courses: PLAN 558: The Role of Theory in Planning Research, PLAN 559: Design of Planning- and Policy-oriented Research, and PLAN 560: Master's Thesis Workshop. MAP/MSCP students also take elective and concentration options, including PLAN 549C: Master's Thesis. Students study in person at UBC Vancouver and work under the guidance of a SCARP Faculty Supervisor.

Modules

• PLAN 558: The Role of Theory in Planning Research
• PLAN 559: Design of Planning- and Policy-oriented Research
• PLAN 560: Master's Thesis Workshop
• PLAN 549C: Master's Thesis

The minimum requirements for admission in Master of Arts Planning at University of British Columbia for all applicants (Domestic or International) are:

• program specific academic requirment set by University of British Columbia.
• English Language OR any other language requirments as set by University of British Columbia as pre-requiste for admission in Master of Arts Planning.

Note: Please check the university website in the link below.

Minimum Academic Requirements: The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

• Prior Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree.
• Letters of reference: Applicants have to submit 3 references to apply to this graduate program.
• Statement of Interest: Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.
• Supervision: Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. No commitment from a supervisor prior to applying is necessary, but contacting faculty members is encouraged.

English Language Test: Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

• TOEFL: 6-point scale for tests taken as of Jan 21, 2026 — Overall score requirement: 5.0; Reading 4.5; Writing 4.5; Speaking 4.0; Listening 5.0. 120-point scale for tests taken prior to Jan 21, 2026 — Overall score requirement: 100; Reading 22; Writing 21; Speaking 21; Listening 22.
• IELTS (Academic): Overall score requirement: 7.0; Reading 6.5; Writing 6.5; Speaking 6.5; Listening 6.5.
• DET: Duolingo English Test: Overall score requirement: 130; Reading 125; Writing 135; Speaking 120; Listening 120.

Other Test Scores: The GRE is optional.

Please check detail of study units at https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/master-of-arts-planning

English Language Test: Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

• TOEFL: 6-point scale for tests taken as of Jan 21, 2026 — Overall score requirement: 5.0; Reading 4.5; Writing 4.5; Speaking 4.0; Listening 5.0. 120-point scale for tests taken prior to Jan 21, 2026 — Overall score requirement: 100; Reading 22; Writing 21; Speaking 21; Listening 22.
• IELTS (Academic): Overall score requirement: 7.0; Reading 6.5; Writing 6.5; Speaking 6.5; Listening 6.5.
• DET: Duolingo English Test: Overall score requirement: 130; Reading 125; Writing 135; Speaking 120; Listening 120.

Other Test Scores: The GRE is optional.

51 fully funded scholarships are listed for Canada. See Canada scholarships.