Maryam is a Town Planner at Building Design Partnership (BDP) Ltd and the first Chartered Town Planner to graduate from Sheffield Hallam’s MSc Urban Planning higher and degree apprenticeship programme.

“I chose to study a degree apprenticeship as I wanted to start a career in town planning but didn’t have the necessary accredited qualification. The higher degree apprenticeship route gave me the opportunity to progress from my undergraduate degree in History and earn a Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) accredited masters degree in urban planning whilst gaining experience in the profession through my graduate apprentice role at BDP.

“Whilst I have always had an interest in urban development, regeneration, and the built environment, my route into planning wasn’t entirely straightforward. In 2019, I completed my undergraduate degree in History at the University of Oxford, with my final year thesis focussing on the relationship between urban spaces and community identity.

“During my post-graduation job search, I stumbled upon the opportunity to join BDP as a Graduate Apprentice Town Planner - the first time I’d heard of the profession - meaning I would gain paid on-the-job experience as a Town Planner whilst spending one day a week studying part-time for an MSc in Urban Planning from Sheffield Hallam University. Following my successful application for the role at BDP, I applied for the MSc Urban Planning degree apprenticeship course, supported by the organisation.

“I currently work within the Urbanism team at BDP, working across a diverse range of planning and urban design projects. My key duties and responsibilities vary depending on the specific projects we are working on. However, my work often revolves around the drafting and submission of planning applications including the drafting of technical reports, development of regeneration master plans and policy documents, and planning and running of community consultation events. 

“I operate in a small team of six town planners and two urban designers, sat within a wider multidisciplinary practice comprising architects, engineers and other technical specialists. I work across a number of commissions, supporting more senior members of the team and increasingly taking a leading role on certain pieces of work.

“Since starting the apprenticeship I have developed a wide range of skills and knowledge that have supported my development as a Town Planner.”

“I was completely new to the industry when I began the apprenticeship; therefore the learning gained through the MSc course was very useful in providing the background and broader context for the industry and work I would be undertaking at BDP. The apprenticeship gave me a clear route to RTPI Chartership which is my immediate career goal and this has been my main motivation throughout the academic course and subsequently.

“Higher and degree apprenticeships are a good way to gain fully-funded qualifications which have a direct impact on your career. Learning whilst in full-time employment enhances both the academic and on-the-job experiences within the programme.

“With my experience, I have provided support to our incoming Town Planning apprentice on the BDP Urbanism team, who is also completing her qualification with Sheffield Hallam. The apprenticeship enables BDP to train new Town Planners on the job whilst they work towards chartered membership of the RTPI.”