Master in Spatial Planning at University of Palermo
Two-year English-taught master's in Palermo that trains experts in urban design and sustainable territorial development, covering territorial resources, historic and contemporary buildings, landscapes and environments.
Master
2 years
Palermo
English
University of Palermo
Spatial Planning is a two-year, 120 ECTS master's degree (class LM-48 R) taught in English by the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo, in person in Palermo. It trains experts in urban design and sustainable territorial development. Non-EU students pay €211 to €378 by country list for 2026/27, or an income-based fee.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in spatial planning (L-21), architecture (L-17), building sciences (L-23) or industrial design (L-4), a single-cycle degree in architecture (LM-4), or an equivalent foreign degree.
- Graduates of other fields need 50 credits across set areas, including mathematics, urban planning, architectural design, history of architecture, drawing, transport infrastructure and environmental subjects.
- A grade of at least 100/110 in one of the listed classes counts as proof of preparation; otherwise a commission holds an interview. For foreign degrees, a commission assesses your file and interviews you.
- English at B2: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72, PTE 46, Trinity ISE II to IV, British Institutes or Cambridge English; not needed if your degree was taught entirely in English.
- At enrolment, a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement of comparability, or a Diploma Supplement with a CIMEA statement of verification.
About the programme
Spatial Planning is a two-year master's degree in class LM-48 R (territorial, urban and environmental planning), worth 120 ECTS and run by the Department of Architecture of the University of Palermo. UniPa lists it among its programmes fully taught in English for 2026/27. Teaching is in person in Palermo, and access is open, so places are not capped.
The university says the degree trains experts in urban design and sustainable territorial development. It is aimed first at graduates in spatial planning, architecture, building sciences or industrial design, and it also admits graduates from other fields who hold enough credits in planning, design and environmental subjects.
What you will study
UniPa describes the focus of the programme as:
- Urban design
- Sustainable territorial development
- Designing and managing territorial resources
- Designing and managing the building stock, both historic and contemporary
- Designing and managing complex systems such as landscapes and environments
The credit table for applicants from other degrees shows the fields the programme builds on: urban planning, architectural design, history of architecture and the city, drawing and topography, infrastructure and transport systems, applied ecology and agronomy, and urban and social geography. Course units and credits for each cohort are published on the degree's page in the UniPa online course catalogue.
How the programme is taught
Classes take place on the Palermo campus. Like every UniPa master's degree, it runs over two years and 120 credits and ends with the defence of a thesis.
Career paths
UniPa presents graduates as experts in urban design and sustainable territorial development, equipped to design and manage territorial resources, historic and contemporary buildings, and complex systems such as landscapes and environments.
Fees and scholarships
There is no separate fee for this degree. For 2026/27 UniPa lets non-EU students living abroad pick one of two routes: a fixed yearly amount by country list, €211 (List B2A), €267 (List B2B) or €378 (other countries), each already including €156 of regional tax and stamp duty, or an income-based fee of €156 plus a variable part worked out from an ISEE parificato. See the tuition fees page. ERSU Palermo awards scholarships on merit and family income, and a tuition fee waiver is among the listed benefits.
How to apply from outside the EU
A commission named by the course coordinator checks that your foreign degree fits the programme and, after an interview, gives a positive evaluation that is valid only for the year you applied for. English must be at B2, for example IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72.
Applications go through the UniPa student portal with your passport, photo, degree, transcript and CV. Admitted students complete Universitaly pre-enrolment and a type D visa application. For 2026/27 the portal closed on 20 July and Universitaly on 4 August 2026; 2027/28 dates were not out in September 2026. See the non-EU master's procedure.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is the Master in Spatial Planning taught in English?
Yes. UniPa lists Spatial Planning among its programmes fully taught in English for 2026/27, with in-person teaching in Palermo. You need English at B2 level, for example IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72.
Which bachelor's degrees give direct access?
Degrees in spatial planning (L-21), architecture (L-17), building sciences (L-23), industrial design (L-4) or a single-cycle architecture degree (LM-4). Graduates of other fields need 50 credits in the planning, design and environmental areas set by the degree.
Is there an entrance test?
No written test. Graduates of the listed classes with at least 100/110 have their preparation accepted automatically; others have an interview. Applicants with a foreign degree are assessed by a commission and interviewed, and the result is valid only for that year.
What does the degree prepare me for?
UniPa says it trains experts in urban design and sustainable territorial development, able to design and manage territorial resources, historic and contemporary buildings, and complex systems such as landscapes and environments.
How much are the fees?
For 2026/27 non-EU students living abroad pay €211, €267 or €378 a year by country list, or €156 plus an income-based amount. ERSU Palermo scholarships consider merit and family income.
When are the deadlines?
The 2027/28 dates were not out in September 2026. For 2026/27 the UniPa portal application was due by 20 July 2026 and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 4 August 2026.
Similar programmes
More programmes in this city
They began right where you are
