The School is internationally distinguished within the planning field and offers a unique hands-on learning environment for students, involving interaction with some of the leading urban planning academics and practitioners, through close supervision, creative project work and teaching innovation. The MPhil/PhD in Planning Studies is an advanced level doctoral programme geared to interdisciplinary post-graduates interested in pursuing a career in planning or related fields in policy, research and/or teaching. The course is individually-directed and motivated, driven by the scholarly research interests and project development of the applicant which is supported by a supervisory panel usually consisting of two members of academic staff. The final product is a thesis of 100,000 words and an oral examination assessed by a small panel of experts in the chosen field of study.