I did not have a single defining moment when I decided I want to study at the University of Manchester. It wasn’t an instant choice or a dramatic realisation, but the result of careful considerations, in-depth research, heartfelt conversations and reflections of what I wanted from my master’s education. University of Manchester consistently aligned with most of my personal, professional, and academic goals.

I started my undergraduate degree in architecture seven years ago, and since then I’ve been interested in the role the built environment plays in creating resilient cities. Overtime, my interest shifted from just designing buildings to understanding what the built environment contributes to resilient cities. Design alone didn’t feel enough, I wanted to understand the mechanism behind it.

Manchester seemed like the ideal location to explore these questions. The city’s transformation from an industrial centre with pollution, poverty, and poor housing conditions into a vibrant, globally connected city is a powerful example of urban change. Studying planning in a city with such a layered urban history made the learning feel grounded, relevant, and contextually relevant rather than abstract ideas.

Academically, UoM stood out for several reasons. It is a Russell Group university with a strong focus on sustainability. I also spoke to several students and professionals alike, who spoke highly of the university’s teaching, support systems, learning atmosphere, and just the overall experience.

What really convinced me though, was the MSc Planning programme itself. What appealed to me was how focused yet flexible the course is. It allows engagement with planning as a discipline while still giving students the freedom to shape their interests. When I reviewed the course handbook and modules, particularly planning powers, planning theory, land use, neighbourhood planning, and spatial planning, I realized how holistic the education will be for how cities are shaped through policy, regulation, and governance.

Having worked as an architect and an urban designer for two years, I gained first-hand experience of how the built environment functions in practice. While I understood design processes well, I became increasingly aware that planning and policy were the gaps in my knowledge. Since bureaucratic and legal frameworks frequently dictate what is feasible on the ground, I wanted to study how they affect urban growth. Studying planning felt like the natural next step toward gaining a more complete and integrated understanding of how cities are designed.

What also stood out to me, was how the course approaches planning as a socially engaged discipline rather than a purely technical one. It felt like a place where challenging systems and power structured was encouraged rather than avoided because of the emphasis on critical thinking, research led instruction, and real-world urban challenges.

Financial considerations were also an important part of my decision-making process. Pursuing a master’s degree is a significant investment, and the scholarships I received, two from my faculty and one from the university, played a major role in helping me confidently chose Manchester for my master’s. They reinforced my belief that the university valued my dedication to the subject and my academic potential.

Three months into the course, I can confidently say that it was the right decision. Apart from the weather, I have genuinely enjoyed life in Manchester. The university environment is vibrant, supportive, and intellectually stimulating, while the city itself offers a rich social and cultural life. The cohort’s diversity has been one of the most enjoyable aspects, learning alongside people from different backgrounds and perspectives has greatly expanded my understanding of planning.

My decision to pursue a master’s degree was not made in haste. It was the result of careful research, introspection, and clarity about the direction I want my career to take. At a time when cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis, I believe that building resilient urban environments is not optional, it is essential. Studying MSc Planning at the University of Manchester is an important step towards contributing meaningfully to that goal.

Written by Alafiya, a current postgraduate student in SEED. 

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