Transport masters courses rise in popularity

Huw Morris, PlanningResource, 20 November 2008

The Transport Planning Society’s annual census of 12 universities recorded 395 full time equivalent students, up 53 on last year. 

Of these, 228 are from the UK, a rise of 16 per cent, while 167 are from abroad, 39 of them from other EU countries and 128 from the rest of the world.

Martin Richards, the society’s board member with responsibility for skills said It is clear that the UK’s transport masters courses continue to be highly regarded by students from both the UK and overseas, and by UK employers, who are supporting 146 full time equivalent students. 
"Since nearly all of these are part time, that’s nearly 350 individuals in their first, second or third year. There are few other sectors in which employers are as committed to the development of their professional staff."

But Richards warned that moves by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the government’s agency, to change its funding arrangements will mean that the present number of 54 full time students will drop substantially next year unless the Department for Transport comes up with an alternative bursary scheme.

The census covered masters courses at Cardiff, Imperial College, University College London, Leeds, Loughborough, Napier, Newcastle, Oxford Brookes, Salford, Southampton, the University of the West of England and Westminster.

huw.morris@haymarket.com

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