Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

The British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with the Royal Town Planning Institute, offers a scholarship for one student with UK Fee status to study MSc Town Planning at ARU in September 2026.

About this scholarship

Together, the BCC and the RTPI wish to make a difference, providing opportunities for individuals who may not have been able to afford to consider studying for a career in planning and, at the same time, boosting planning services. Find out more about the scholarship on the RTPI website.

The first cohort of BCC scholarship 'trainee planners' - from a diverse range of backgrounds - commenced their studies in September 2025 and will be available to work in local authorities by the Autumn of 2026, to be joined by the second cohort a year later.

Value

  • £5,000

Eligibility

For this scholarship you must:

  • be UK domiciled with home fee status
  • have an offer of admission to the MSc Town Planning for full-time study in 2026-27
  • not have completed a Masters (including integrated Masters degrees or degrees sometimes known as ‘undergraduate Masters') or PhD at ARU or anywhere else previously.

We also encourage applicants who are from under-represented, widening participation backgrounds including people who are:

  • minority ethnic
  • care leavers
  • estranged students
  • forced migrants and refugees
  • young carers
  • have a declared disability
  • home residence is in IMD Q1 or Q2 region.

How to apply

Please write a short statement of no more than 350 words explaining why you think you should receive this BCC scholarship and the difference it would make to you, including a short statement of financial need. Submit your statement on this form, following your course application.

The closing date for scholarship applications is 31 August 2026.

Your application will be assessed by a panel of ARU staff. We’ll be looking at the details you provide in your application and supporting documentation and you'll be notified by the second week of September if successful by Dr Nezhapi-Delle Odeleye ([email protected]).