Urban Designer
35AI EXPOSURE TODAY35
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST77%
NOT A FORECAST77%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYB
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £36,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM ARCHITECTURE AND PLANNING →
Urban Designer
Urban designers plan and shape towns and cities to make them better places to live - with good transport, green spaces, interesting buildings and communities where people feel at home.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
This job holds up well against AI
AI exposure today is modest on our index (35), and the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.
Career progression path
1FIRST STEPJunior Urban DesignerAs a Junior Urban Designer, you will assist in the preparation of design proposals and engage in site analyses, gaining valuable experience in the field.£30,000 - £36,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level Urban DesignerIn a mid-level role, you will lead design projects, manage stakeholder consultations, and contribute to strategic planning initiatives.£45,000 - £55,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Urban Designer/Head of Urban DesignAt the peak of your career, you will oversee large-scale urban design projects, mentor junior staff, and influence policy at a strategic level.£80,000+
Apprenticeship listings for this career → (June 2026 snapshot; check closing dates on the official service)
The degree route
Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Construction ManagementUniversity College of Estate Management · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£52,000 median
🎓Architectural TechnologyBirmingham City University · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£51,000 median
🎓Construction ManagementSchool of Coding Limited · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£40,000 median
🎓Construction ManagementUniversity of Portsmouth · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£36,500 median
🎓Construction Management and Surveying with International Foundation YearThe University of Reading · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£36,500 median
All Architecture and Planning courses as cards →
There is more than one way in
You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely.
Degree subjects that lead this way
Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.
Construction ManagementUniversity College of Estate Management · DegreeArchitectural TechnologyBirmingham City University · DegreeConstruction ManagementSchool of Coding Limited · DegreeQuantity SurveyingSchool of Coding Limited · DegreeConstruction ManagementUniversity of Portsmouth · DegreeConstruction Management and Surveying with International Foundation YearThe University of Reading · Degree