Residential Property BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need for a career in the residential property market, working within a property development or management company, in a residential consultancy or agency, or developing your own residential property portfolio.

The course is not fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) but fulfils part of its requirement for the status of associate surveyor. Associate surveyors are people with specific skills who offer help and advice to their chartered colleagues. They also undertake a range of activities such as building survey work, and the course will prepare you for such a role.

What will you study?

The curriculum covers topics from the areas of development and construction and law, to the operation of the residential property market. There is an emphasis on practical project work, underpinned by a firm base of legal and technical knowledge. You will learn to undertake building surveys, carry out valuations and appraisals, prepare professional reports and marketing materials, and use computer-aided design packages.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Development and Building Studies
• Design Appraisal

• Design Appraisal

  This module develops your awareness of your physical environment. It gives you:

  • the skills needed to appreciate the aesthetics of building design; and
  • the tools necessary to carry out a small scale residential design.

  The module is taught by lectures, seminars and crits. You will take an active part in discussion, debate and team work. Assessment is by studio crits.

  
   
• Law

• Law

  This module covers:

  • the nature of law;
  • the workings of the English legal system; and
  • the Law of Contracts, the Law of Torts and Land Law.

  We will encourage you to develop legal writing skills, analysis of legal principles and debating skills.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars. You will take an active part in discussions and debates. Assessment is by a multiple choice test, coursework and examination.

  
   
• Residential Property Market I

• Residential Property Market I

  This module explores the drivers that affect the residential property market and the main players in the market. You will cover:

  • the role of property professionals in the residential property market;
  • the principles of the landlord and tenant relationship as it affects residential property;
  • the factors that affect the residential property development process; and
  • the principles of residential property marketing.

  You will also learn how to undertake simple residential property valuations.

  
   
• Skills for Built Environment Students
• Projects I

• Projects I

  This module introduces you to a variety of study skill techniques. You practice these in group and individual project work relating to building surveying practice.

  
   

Year 2

• CAD and Building Science

• CAD and Building Science

  This module introduces you to the principles of computer aided design (current AutoCAD version). You will gain:

  • a knowledge of file and data management and communication on a computer network - so you can operate efficiently in the workplace;
  • a working knowledge of building materials; and
  • an understanding of the fundamentals of structural behaviour.
  
   
• Planning and Development Practice

• Planning and Development Practice

  This module develops your theoretical and practice-related knowledge of current planning legislation and planning policies.

  We encourage you to develop a critical awareness of:

  • emerging planning policy;
  • developing trends; and
  • the legislative framework and how to apply this to practical examples.

  We teach the module through a series of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by coursework and examination.

  
   
• Residential Property Market II
• Building Survey and Inspection
• Projects II

• Projects II

  This module will build on your study skills. Working on projects related to building surveying practice, you will improve your:

  • ability to undertake professional work; and
  • presentation and effective teamwork skills.
  
   

Year 3

• Building Heritage

• Building Heritage

  This module gives you a detailed knowledge of the legislation and socio-economic frameworks that affect heritage buildings. You cover:

  • historic building materials, plus their analysis and maintenance requirements; and
  • issues regarding the UK's building heritage and how it can be adapted for a sustainable built environment of the future.
  
   
• Professional Report
• Professional Practice Law

• Professional Practice Law

  This module builds on your existing knowledge of the law and professional practice to develop your:

  • analytical and critical skills when encountering legal problems;
  • knowledge of professional liability law; and
  • knowledge of other aspects of professional practice law, notably that relating to dispute resolution. 

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and practical skills based application seminars.  Assessment is by examination and coursework.

  
   
• Residential Property Market III
• Advanced Building Survey and Inspection