Meet Mariia Kondrateva, an international graduate from our Town Planning MSc degree at the University of Brighton. Originally trained in planning in her home country, Mariia came to the UK to build on her experience and transition into a new professional environment.
We caught up with her to hear about her journey from student life to securing a role at Brighton & Hove City Council as a Transport Planning Officer.
Why Brighton?
“I chose this course because it complemented my previous experience in my home country. I was hoping it would help me adapt and apply my experience within the UK planning context. One of the main reasons was the strong support it offers for future employment. That was really important to me.
“I also expected that living in Brighton would be a great experience – and it absolutely was! It’s a vibrant and thriving city with a lot to offer: a lively social life, independent bars and cafes, excellent access to the beautiful countryside, and it’s much more affordable than London. For international students, Brighton is a welcoming and exciting place to live and study.”
Modules that matter: sustainability, coastal planning, and real-world experience
“I really enjoyed the Sustainable Design module – it was a great opportunity to think outside the box and collaborate with other international students from different backgrounds. It encouraged creative thinking and opened new perspectives.
“Another ingesting one was Planning in Coastal Communities. This module focused on climate change awareness and the unique challenges faced by coastal areas. For me, it was one of the most eye-opening modules and made me think more deeply about the role of planning in addressing environmental issues in a broader context.
“And of course, the Environmental Placement was a great opportunity to get a real work experience in planning, which helped me feel much more confident and really supported my transition into a planning career in the UK.”
Support that goes beyond the classroom
“As an international student, I found myself in a completely new professional environment. Even though I had planning experience in my home country, the UK has a different legal system, planning policies, and of course different terminology and new idioms.
“The course team were always patient and supportive: they took the time to explain concepts and terminology (and even a bit of the specific UK humour or culture!) whenever I wasn’t sure how things worked in the UK.
“One thing I really appreciated was the way the lecturers communicated. The language they used was always professional, but still clear and easy to understand, even for someone like me, whose first language is not English. That made a big difference and helped me feel more confident in class and in my assignments.
“I’ve tried to stay in touch with them since graduating. In fact, now that I’m working, we’ve even organised a student placement at my current organisation. I believe we’ve built a strong, long-term relationship, which I really value.”
Real-world experience
“I took part in the placement module during my course. I worked at Adur & Worthing Council as a Planning Assistant for 30 days, spread over four months. These months were divided into two parts.
“In the first part, I worked closely with the planning team, reviewing planning applications and preparing reports for the case officers. It was a great opportunity to understand how planning decisions are made in the UK and to get an experience with real cases.
“In the second part, I’ve took part in a really interesting project focused on identifying potential sites for social housing. Under the supervision of the team leader, I researched available land, assessed its suitability for development, and created a map of the proposed sites. Some of these sites were even added to the local plan for future development, which was very rewarding.
“This placement helped me feel much more confident and allowed me to apply my previous experience within the UK planning context. It also supported my academic work: some of the tasks I completed during the placement directly contributed to essays and assignments in other modules.”
From student to professional: A seamless transition
“This course has fully supported me in building my career in the UK. One of the key reasons I chose it was because it’s accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), which is one of the main professional body for planners in the UK. The course offered student membership and a clear route toward becoming a Chartered Member – something that’s essential for working as a planner here.
“I started looking for a job around eight months before the end of the course. Because of my visa situation, I was planning to switch directly to a Skilled Worker visa after graduation, and I wanted to avoid going through the Graduate visa route to save both time and money. I knew the job search and visa paperwork could take a while, so I started early.
“I went through a few interviews with various employers before I was offered a position at Brighton & Hove City Council. I’m really grateful that the Council was willing to employ me before I officially graduated. I even started working part-time during the summer while I was still finishing my dissertation. It was definitely a challenge – juggling work and academic deadlines at the same time, but it was also a valuable experience. (Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing both at once – it was tough!)
“The university team was incredibly supportive throughout the process. They kindly provided the references I needed for the job application.
“After finishing the course, I started receiving calls from recruiters about potential job opportunities, which gave my career a real boost. The combination of academic knowledge, practical experience, and professional recognition really helped me transition smoothly into the UK planning sector.”
Working in the sector
“I am currently working as a Transport Planning Officer at Brighton & Hove City Council. My main responsibilities include reviewing planning applications and preparing transport-related reports for the planning team. We assess things like highway safety, parking provision, and the overall impact of developments on the transport network.
“This role closely matches the work I did in my home country – essentially the same responsibilities, but within a different legislative and planning context.
“The knowledge I gained during the course has been 100% transferable. I learned a lot about the UK planning system, legislation, and policy frameworks, and I still use that knowledge in my day-to-day work. The course really helped me bridge the gap between my previous experience and the UK professional environment.”
Advice for future students
“When I was considering this course, I heard that it is focused on real-world planning experience and supports students in becoming employable after graduation. And yes, that absolutely matched the reality. The course provides very specific knowledge and practical skills needed to work as a planner in the UK, especially in the South of England, thanks to modules focused on coastal communities and regional planning.
“While the course is highly practical and professionally focused, it may be best suited for those who have a clear interest in building a career in planning. For those who are still exploring their options, it might be helpful to first gain a bit more clarity about your career goals, because this course might seem to be too specialised.”
Study Town Planning MSc at Brighton
You can find out more about this course on the University of Brighton website.
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