Real Estate MSc

Why choose this course?

This is an innovative degree designed primarily for people working or wanting to work in the real estate sector either in the UK or beyond who are seeking to gain a high-level head start.

The reflective practitioner at junior or middle-management level can study individual modules to meet CPD requirements or enhance their academic qualifications.

Taught by real estate academics and practitioners, this course has excellent links with surveying and property firms.

Apply for this course

Mode	Duration	Attendance	Start date
Full time	1 year	Short intensive blocks	September 2020
Full time	2 years including professional placement	Short intensive blocks	September 2020
Part time	2 years	Short intensive blocks	September 2020

Location

Kingston Hill

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2020/21 entry

If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2020/21 (i.e. between August 2020 and July 2021), please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.

Changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19

Continuing students

Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas Course page.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

This is one of the few real estate courses with a world-wide focus on valuation and investment.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The course culminates in the Kingston Real Estate Master's Conference.
Kingston Business School is one of just five per cent of the world's business schools to hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Free car parking at the Kingston Hill campus is available for students of this course. The campus can also be easily accessed by public transport. Halls accommodation is just a walk away from the classrooms.

Accreditation

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Students will study 6 assessed modules which have been designed to ensure alignment with the business, ethics and technical competencies of the RICS's Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

Kingston Business School Accreditations

Kingston Business School holds the prestigious international accreditation by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in recognition of the excellence of its business education. This accreditation has been earned by just 5% of the world's business schools and recognises the high quality and standard of our business degree offering.

Find out more about our accreditations

What you will study

This course will enable you to create key research and systematic aptitudes alongside your practical, technical and professional competencies.

You will study six modules. These have been intended to guarantee that they align with key competencies of the RICS's Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), yet at the same time enabling you to pursue your particular interests through your research project. The project culminates in the unique master's conference. There will also be an opportunity to participate in an international residential field trip.

Flexibility within the curriculum will allow you to extend your insight within focused areas of valuation, property law, investment, asset management and/or spatial development.

Full time

Part time

Optional placement year

The full-time programme runs over one year and consists of six modules at 30 credit points each. Four modules are core, and two are chosen from a selection of elective modules.

Core modules

Fundamentals of Real Estate Strategy and Context

30 credits

This module examines the players in the market, supply and demand within the key sectors, investor appetite and the effects of micro and macro-economics on the property market. It also examines the interaction of businesses or corporations and their need and use of buildings, the importance of the effective and efficient use of space, and how other elements such as image, design, and personnel work requirements can affect buildings. This module also provides students with a critical understanding and knowledge of the principles of administrative laws, legal methods, land law and the law of obligations applicable to real estate. It is taught through a series of lectures and class exercises and assessment is through assignments supported by on-line support and by written materials.

Property Appraisal and Valuation

30 credits

This module develops students' understanding, knowledge and critical appraisal abilities over a wide range of valuation approaches and appraisal techniques commonly used in practice in the UK and overseas. A week-long field trip to a major international destination will form the central focus for a major group project which supports students' critical understanding and practical skills. Delivery of the module content will be through a series of lectures, class exercises and the field trip. Assessment is through assignments coupled with supported by on-line support and by written materials.

Research Principles and Application

30 credits

This module aims to provide students with a sound grounding in research principles and methodologies that are commonly applied within the built environment. Throughout a series of lectures and seminars, supported by tutorials students are encouraged and enabled to develop their critical reasoning powers and to gain practice in researching ideas and knowledge and in the design of relevant research instruments.

Research Project

30 credits

This final module provides students the opportunity to design and execute an original research capstone project related to their own real estate interests. They will develop a theoretically informed body of work that integrates both theory and practice. It may take the form of a dissertation, a practice project, design or experiment based project. Following submission students present their findings at a Masters Students Conference.

Elective modules (choose 2)

Planning and Sustainable Development

30 credits

This module is an essential ingredient in the study of spatial planning and its associated decision making processes for development to proceed in the UK. There is an expectation that the current legal framework, including European provisions is applied and evaluated. Land, property and planning are closely linked so the module enables understanding of the development process from the developers' viewpoint to facilitate development effectively. The planning perspective evaluates planning issues for decision making delivered through the use of a local case study involving a planning appeal written statement and a public inquiry role play. Funding packages, development economics and sustainability issues that influence development and planning, are explored through practical examples, case studies and site visits.

Commercial Property and Asset Management

30 credits

Students study the wide range of asset, investment and facilities management activities and laws associated with real estate land and buildings, including developing and executing strategic and corporate real estate asset policies as well as appraising the operational property and facilities management activities on which performance depends. It is taught through a series of lectures, support tutorials and class exercises. Assessment will be through two case study exercises, a major practical group project and a legal argument synopsis paper.

Property Investment Analysis and Funding

30 credits

In this module students develop skills in carrying out property investment analysis gaining a critical understanding of discounted cash flow variables and performance measures including investment tactics. It introduces the analysis of risk within property and within a multi-asset portfolio and the utilisation of structured finance. Students also study indirect real estate vehicles and instruments, their origins and their current utilisation. This module is delivered in short blocks of lectures, case study exercises and workshops and supported by open learning. Assessment is through group portfolio analysis, a critical essay and a cash flow analysis for a real estate investment.

The programme consists of six modules at 30 credit points each. You will take two core modules and choose one elective module in Year 1. In Year 2 you will also take two core modules and choose one elective module. Four modules are core, and two are chosen from a selection of elective modules.

Year 1

Property Appraisal and Valuation

30 credits

Fundamentals of Real Estate Strategy and Context

30 credits

Year 2

Research Principles and Application

30 credits

Research Project

30 credits

Elective modules (choose 2)

Planning and Sustainable Development

30 credits

Commercial Property and Asset Management

30 credits

Property Investment Analysis and Funding

30 credits

The professional placement year is optional. It takes place after the full-time year. It allows students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The work placement is an assessed part of the course and is therefore covered by a Tier 4 visa. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.

Modules

Professional Placement

120 credits

The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a Master's programme that incorporates an extended professional placement that follows completion of the first 180 credits of taught modules and project or dissertation. It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific skills in their chosen subject.

It is the responsibility of individual students to locate and secure a suitable placement opportunity; this will normally involve one placement which must be completed over a minimum period of 10 months and within a maximum of 12 months. The placement must be approved by the module leader prior to commencement to ensure its suitability.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

After you graduate

Graduates attend the programme either because they are working in the real estate profession on a part time basis and wish to run their studies alongside their work placements or to gain the degree looking to seek a graduate position on successful completion.

Many students have already been accepted or gain positions on graduate entry schemes of UK or international surveying practices or real estate organisations. Graduates are typically sponsored to achieve their RICS qualification as a Chartered Surveyor.

Graduate destinations include working in diverse areas such as investment, agency, valuation, asset management, development, property finance and taxation.

Graduates have gone on to work for firms including CBRE, Cluttons, Cushman & Wakefield, Knight Frank, Jones Lang LaSalle, Land Securities, Knight Frank, Valuation Office Agency, KPMG, Deloitte AS, Asda Stores Ltd, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas Real Estate.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

a good honours degree; or
an equivalent professional qualification.

We welcome applications from international students.

Part-time applicants need to be in relevant employment or have practical experience. Part-time applicants working in a real estate organisation can enrol onto the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence APC scheme alongside their academic studies. Kingston University's Institute of Real Estate is a RICS partnership university, and the MSc Real Estate is one of its professionally accredited programmes. Once enrolled on the programme, part-time students can register for their final RICS assessment programme and start their period of structured training at work (for further information, see the RICS website).

Prior learning – AP(E)L

Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning.

International

Please note: most students from countries outside the European Union/European Economic Area and classified as overseas fee paying, are not eligible to apply for part-time courses due to UK student visa regulations. For information on exceptions please visit the UKCISA website or email our CAS and Visa Compliance team.

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirement, which is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with no element below 5.5. Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from a recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Teaching and assessment

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

As a student at Kingston University, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.

Your workload

Full time

22% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Professional Placement Year

100% of your time is spent on guided independent study and placement

Part time – Year 1

26% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Part time – Year 2

19% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

Full time

Professional Placement Year

Part time – Year 1

Part time – Year 2

Full time

Scheduled teaching and learning: 399 hours
Guided independent study: 1401 hours

Professional Placement Year

Guided independent study: 50 hours
Placement: 1150 hours

Part time – Year 1

Scheduled teaching and learning: 230 hours
Guided independent study: 670 hours

Part time – Year 2

Scheduled teaching and learning: 169 hours
Guided independent study: 731 hours

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (eg test or exam), practical (eg presentations, performance) and coursework (eg essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Full time

Professional Placement Year

Part time - Year 1

Part time - Year 2

Full time

Coursework: 97%
Practical: 3%

Professional Placement Year

Coursework: 100%

Part time - Year 1

Coursework: 98%
Practical: 2%

Part time - Year 2

Coursework: 95%
Practical: 5%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetables

Each student receives a personalised timetable. This is usually available after you have completed your online enrolment, which is typically accessible one month before the start of your course.

Who teaches this course?

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on this course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. The following group of staff members are currently involved in the delivery of different elements of this course. This pool is subject to change at any time within the academic year.

Derek Bruce FRICS

Course director

Ms Ana Pedro (Chadburn)

Mrs Fiona Firth

Mrs P Judy Smith

Fees for this course

Home and European Union 2020/21

MSc full time £8,400
MSc part time £4,620

International (not EU) 2020/21

MSc full time £15,700
MSc part time £8,635

Fees for the optional placement year

If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.

Funding and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

Changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19

Changes detailed here are for students joining this course in the academic year 2020/21 (i.e. between August 2020 and July 2021).

Course information (changes for 2020/21 entry)

Composition of the course

We do not anticipate making any changes to the composition of the course, i.e. the number of modules or credits in a year for part-time postgraduate courses, as a result of the pandemic.

In order to safeguard our students' health and safety and to minimise the risk of disruption to their studies, the University has postponed all Study Abroad programmes for outgoing students in the first teaching block of 2020/21 (from September 2020 to December 2020). The University will review this decision before the second teaching block and will take into account relevant government advice at that time.

Changes can be made to courses as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to the composition of the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Modules

We do not anticipate making any changes to module titles and summaries or to the availability of modules as a result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to modules as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to module titles and/or availability of modules will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Length of course

We expect to deliver the course within the planned timescales to enable successful students to progress through and graduate from the course without delay.

In exceptional circumstances the sequence of learning and teaching activities may be changed, e.g. re-sequencing those modules that can be delivered more effectively under the current restrictions with those which would be more difficult to deliver, such as practical modules and placements.

Entry requirements (changes for 2020/21 entry)

We have not changed entry requirements as a result of the pandemic. However, the range of accepted alternatives have increased as has the way in which we select students, which now includes virtual interviews and online portfolios.

Entry requirements for international students

We have not changed entry requirements for international students as a result of the pandemic. However, in response to the pandemic, we now accept a much broader list of English language exams for entry to the course; the level of these exams remain the same.

Teaching (changes for 2020/21 entry)

Changes to the way the course will be delivered

Due to the current pandemic the course's teaching and learning activities will be delivered through both online and on-campus methods (blended learning) in 2020/21. In order to provide all students with a comparable on-campus experience, the University has committed to ensuring that all courses provide at least 30% of their teaching and learning activities on-campus.

While physical distancing measures remain in place, you will receive your learning and teaching via a blend of on-campus and on-line activities. Should your circumstances prevent your attendance at on-campus sessions, you will still be able to engage with your course in a way that allows you to progress. Where this is not possible, support will be available to consider what options are open to you.

Changes to teaching in the event of a further lockdown or adjustments in government advice

The University will continue to closely monitor government announcements and advice in relation to the current pandemic and, where required, will take any necessary action in order to comply with such advice.

In the event that a further lockdown is enforced the University will aim to deliver the course fully online. This may require some additional changes being made to planned teaching and learning activities, including assessments. The majority of our courses are prepared to be delivered fully online if the situation requires it. Where the quality of the student experience may be compromised significantly, or the course is unable to be delivered fully online, the University may need to suspend the delivery of that course until a time that it can be delivered appropriately. Students will be supported in these situations to ensure they are able to make the right choices for their particular circumstances.

In the event that the current social distancing restrictions are fully lifted and the University is able to resume normal delivery of teaching and learning activities, courses will assess whether it is in the students' interest to resume normal delivery. In some cases it may be better to continue and complete modules under the planned blended delivery mode.

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for Year 1

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours will not be made as a result of the pandemic. However, it is possible that some adjustments might be made at module level, e.g. a few more scheduled activities, in order to help ensure student engagement with blended learning.

Any changes made to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

'Scheduled teaching' includes teaching that is online either live or recorded / on demand.

Timetable

Your individualised timetable for teaching block 1 (i.e. from September 2020 to December 2020) should be available by the end of August 2020. Timetables for teaching block 2 (i.e. from January 2021) will not be available until the autumn. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 9pm. To accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing, we will need to maximise the time available for teaching. This means, we may have to use Wednesday afternoons and enrichment week for additional teaching slots. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Assessment (changes for 2020/21 entry)

Changes can be made to modules, including how they are assessed, as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our modules up to date with current developments in that subject area. Due to the current restrictions in place, i.e. social distancing, it is anticipated that many formal on-campus examinations, including practical examinations, will be replaced with alternative assessments which can be completed online. These changes will be considered and approved through the University's processes to ensure that student assessments will be able to demonstrate they have achieved the expected learning outcomes. The approval process will also assess whether the change impacts the status of any professional body accreditation the course benefits from.

Any changes to the overall methods of assessment for the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Staff (changes for 2020/21 entry)

No changes are expected to the general level of experience or status of staff involved in delivering the course.

As a result of the social distancing restrictions in place, on-campus teaching activities may need to be split into smaller groups which may require the support of teaching assistants and student mentors, who will be managed by experienced staff.

Fees, funding and additional costs (changes for 2020/21 entry)

Tuition fees

There will be no changes to published tuition fees for 2020/21.

Additional costs (e.g. field trips, materials, equipment, etc.)

As a result of the blended delivery of courses in 2020/21, where a significant proportion of the teaching will be done online, students will need a personal laptop or computer and access to the internet to participate in online teaching and learning activities. Students who are able to travel will have access to computers on campus, however, it should be noted that access to on-campus facilities will be restricted due to social distancing requirements.

The University is considering how best to provide support to students who do not have access to suitable hardware and software requirements and access to the internet. Identifying students who require this type of support is an important milestone for the University in our journey to ensure equity of access while we continue to deliver our blended approach. Information about the support that will be available will be provided to students during the induction period.

Funding

There will be no changes to any existing University funding arrangements for 2020/21. Currently there are no indications from the UK government that there will be any changes to government funding arrangements.

Fees and funding for international students

There will be no changes to published tuition fees or funding arrangements specifically relating to international students for 2020/21.

Work placements and field trips (changes for 2020/21 entry)

The field trip planned for November 2020 is now anticipated to take place in April 2021. This will be kept under review. Based on Government advice closer to the time, a decision will be made to switch to a virtual alternative if lockdown measures prevent attendance on site.

The destination of the field trip planned for April 2021 will switch from Madrid (Spain) to Warsaw (Poland) although this will be kept under review in accordance with Government travel advice and restrictions. In the event of changes occurring, students will be informed via the usual university communication channels including course home pages in Canvas and using announcements and emails.

Placements (including work and clinical placements) and field trips included as part of the course will go ahead as planned. However, to ensure students are able to gain maximum value from these activities, it may be necessary to reschedule them to later in the year when current restrictions have been lifted. We acknowledge that this year it may be more difficult for students to secure appropriate placements. In those situations, students will be guided and supported through the various options that will be available to them, including switching courses or interrupting their studies until a time when they can complete their placement.

Any proposed changes to placements or field trips would go through University's agreed processes where the impact of the change will be carefully considered. Students will be advised of any changes that may become necessary and appropriate support will be available to students to guide them through the various options that may be available to them.

In the interest of the health and wellbeing of our students, the University will ensure that appropriate risk assessments are made before students are sent on a placement.

Courses which require placements or field trips to be completed in order to pass relevant modules will have contingency plans in place in the event that a placement or field trip cannot be completed due to another lockdown or more stringent social distancing measures.

Voluntary placements or field trips may be rescheduled, or, as a last resort, cancelled if it becomes difficult to deliver them and doing so is in the interest of the health and safety of our staff and students.

Award, qualification and accreditation (changes for 2020/21 entry)

Qualification

No changes will be made to the qualification awarded, e.g. MSc, as a result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to courses, including the qualification awarded (although very rare), as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area. Any changes made to the qualification awarded for the course will be highlighted to students during the induction period.

Additional (changes for 2020/21 entry)

International students

International students should maintain awareness of the UK government's and their home country's government advice on possible travel restrictions. The University will closely monitor advice and guidance published by the UK government and assess its impact on our international students. Appropriate advice and guidance will be provided as and when required.

Students who are unable to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities

The University will ensure students who are unable to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities are able to effectively engage with their studies remotely. For certain courses an inability to attend on-campus learning and teaching activities may not be in the students best interest, as it may impede their chances of succeeding in the course or lead to them receiving a poor learning experience. In such cases students will be advised and guided through the various options available to them, such as deferring their studies until they can engage fully with the course.