How Can I Become A Planner?

Planning can be accessed by one of three routes.  The first is to undertake a University degree in Planning, which is usually three years (some are four year courses, however).  Or Planning can be done as part of a post graduate diploma, usually taking two years as a post graduate.
The third route is to join a local council as a trainee planner and then undertake day release at University and complete a degree whilst working within a planning department.  The benefit to this is that obviously you are in effect paid to study, but the down side is that you are having to work full time, whilst undertaking a degree.
Whilst many people think of Planners as dealing with 'Planning Permission' there are many different aspects to planning and opportunities to work at a strategic level helping to shape the future of towns and cities.  A number of posts are also available within Government Departments dealing with various aspects of Planning.