Real Estate Development MSc

Course summary

Informed by our extensive commercial and professional partnerships within the property sector, this practical Master’s course will prepare you to adapt and excel within the complex and ever-changing real estate market – from valuation and appraisal to the strategic management and development of commercial and residential property assets.

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), it aims to provide a challenging, stimulating and professionally relevant course of study that is directly related to the valuation, management and development of real estate property. Capitalising on our excellent industry contacts, course content is informed by leading firms such as Barratt Homes and British Land, as well as Savills and Cushman and Wakefield, who regularly send their own staff to train with us.

Taught by staff who will share their own experiences as surveyors and planners, you'll gain a detailed understanding of the property development and appraisal process, encompassing the financial, physical, legal and social aspects. You’ll also develop the latest management skills and techniques to successfully deliver projects to meet client expectations taking account of any external constraints.

Our central London location enables us to invite a wide range of professionals to give guest lectures and we arrange various site visits, so you can experience real-life estate strategies and see developments from construction through to completion. As part of the Development Finance and Funding module, a limited number of students have the opportunity to participate in an international study trip, which in 2019 included visits to Brookfield Properties and Cushman and Wakefield in New York. To take part in this trip, you'll have to pay an additional fee of about £950.

The course is ideally suited to graduates with some existing property experience, who aspire to senior positions in real estate development or property management. However, you will be welcomed if you’re seeking to move to a career within this dynamic industry and can demonstrate your passion for property.

Most of our graduates go on to work for central London property firms, in real estate development, valuation or estate management, while others pursue property-related careers with local authorities and housing associations.

Top reasons to study with us

• One of the few UK universities to bring together all the disciplines that inform the design and development of our towns and cities
• Excellent industry links with property firms and construction companies including Lendlease, Knight Frank, Chase and Partners, RICS and Falcon Chambers
• Street walks taking in Marylebone, Euston and Fitzrovia, and street talks incorporating Kings Cross redevelopment, Baker Street and Mayfair
• London location enables us to invite directors of leading property firms to deliver guest lectures, previously from Cushman and Wakefield, Savills, CBRE, JLL, Lend Lease and BRE
• Multicultural learning experience with students from all over the world
• Contractors, developers, professional consultancies, client organisations, central government and local authorities all employ our graduates

Real estate is a dynamic, sociable and high-earning profession. It encompasses most areas of commercial (industrial, office and retail) and residential property.

The RICS accreditation will enable you to take the Professional Assessment of Competence after a period of suitable employment. When you enrol on this course, you’ll be entitled to register for RICS student membership and access training as part of the CPD Foundation. This, coupled with the relationships with other professional bodies and our alumni, gives you access to some excellent networking opportunities with city and suburban property firms.

On graduation, you'll find employment opportunities in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Previous students have undertaken roles in property development, valuation, law, finance and investment, as well as property management for major property firms, such as Cushman and Wakefield, Savills, Knight Frank, as well as other property development and consultancy companies within Greater London and surrounding areas.

With a growing global network of 3,000 employers, our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.

This course will prepare you for roles in major property companies and advisory practices including:

• Property development
• Valuation
• Commercial/residential agency
• Property consultancy
• Property investment
• Investment/asset management
• Corporate real estate/facilities management

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

• Savills
• Cushman and Wakefield
• The British Land Company
• Montagu Evans
• Countryside Properties
• Chase and Partners