Graduate Town Planner 2027

Bright Network; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup is recruiting graduates for town planning projects across the UK. You will gain experience in development management, policy development, and strategic master planning in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

The role involves preparing planning applications, researching policy, and supporting local plan evidence. A strong academic background in planning-related fields and solid MS Office skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Urban Planning, Geography & Geospatial Science, or Urban Design.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Strong research, analytical and written communication skills.
• Curious mindset; written and verbal communication; collaborative.

Responsibilities

• Prepare applications for statutory consents and planning acts.
• Provide planning policy advice and develop policy at local/national level.
• Undertake research and develop evidence bases to support Local Plans.
• Undertake Impact Assessments in support of applications.
• Engage with digital planning programmes and research.

Skills

Research

Written communication

Verbal communication

Collaboration

Curious mindset

Education

Urban Planning degree

Geography & Geospatial Science

Urban Design degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

See it differently

You see the world through a unique lens and that’s exactly what we need. We embrace how you see things differently – it’s essential for creating a sustainable future.

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Globally, each year we recruit hundreds of graduates and students who help us see things differently and solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities.

The opportunity

Our team does a range of town planning and urban projects including development management, policy development (including strategic planning at strategic authority level) and major sites - we are working on New Towns and do a range of strategic master planning working with multi-disciplinary teams.

As a town planning graduate, you can expect to gain experience across a wide range of sectors and disciplines, including but not limited to the following:

• Preparing applications for statutory consents, including under the Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act (2008).
• Providing planning policy advice and developing policy, at both local and national level.
• Undertaking research and developing evidence basesto support Local Plans.
• Undertaking Impact Assessments in support of applications.
• Digital planningprogrammes and research.

Is this role right for you?

For this opportunity, we are seeking the following qualifications, skills and attributes:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in Urban Planning, Geography & Geospatial Science, or Urban Design.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Strong research, analytical and written communication skills.
• Professional skills: Curious mindset; written and verbal communication; purposeful collaboration.

To be considered for a graduate opportunity, your application must include a copy of your academic transcript and meet the following criteria:

• Full working rights in the country of application
• No more than 12 months of full-time experience in a comparable role
• Recently graduated, or on track to graduate, from your most recent degree, related to your role of choice, before employment starts.

Alongside your degree, we look for the following core attributes:

• Changemakers: You care about sustainable development and want to see your work make a genuine difference.
• Innovative minds: You think critically, ask hard questions, and are genuinely open to new approaches.
• Growth seekers: You are curious, actively seek feedback, and look for ways to keep developing.
• Adaptable adventurers: You are comfortable with uncertainty and adapt readily as projects and priorities evolve.

You should be able to start this opportunity on 1 September 2027.

Advert Closing Date: 12 November 2026

Eligibility: Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK without our sponsorship.

Closing Date: Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling permanent members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We take an approach to flexible working that supports the diversity and wellbeing of our graduates.

We also provide for our permanent members Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accidentinsuranceand Income protection cover. In addition,you’llhave access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.