UCEM name change
Why are we changing our name?
For over a hundred years, University College of Estate Management (UCEM), in line with its Royal Charter, has provided education and training related to building, property, construction and land. We were founded in 1919 as the College of Estate Management and in 2016 awarded University College status. Since then, through research and consultation, it is apparent that the name University College of Estate Management no longer accurately reflects the size and breadth of our offer to students and the ways we work to develop skills for the built environment sector.
Our new name, ‘University of the Built Environment’, aligns with our vision to be ‘the centre of excellence for built environment education’ and the expansion of our portfolio to meet the growing needs of the sector. We are the only specialist university serving the built environment, so it will provide clarity on the purpose of the institution and fulfil the Royal Charter.
Will the name change impact the credibility and accreditation of UCEM?
University College of Estate Management is very proud of its legacy and reputation that originated with the ‘College of Estate Management’. Through the change process, we are committed to ensuring that our students, alumni, employers and the sector are professionally represented and accredited, and that our quality of provision and relationships are maintained. Accreditation of our programmes will not be affected by the name change.
When will the name change happen?
Our new name, University of the Built Environment, will be launched publicly in June 2025. The introduction of a new brand and identity is a significant piece of work and we want to ensure our stakeholders, staff, and most importantly our students, are informed and supported as we make changes. We will be phasing in our new identity over several months.
What role does the Office for Students have?
University College of Estate Management is registered with the Office for Students (OfS) as a higher education provider. The OfS has published guidance for registered higher education providers that wish to use ‘university’ as part of their name. In that guidance, the OfS states that it will consult on a provider’s proposed new name.
Who did the OfS consult with?
The OfS conducted a targeted consultation, engaging with UCEM students, employers and professional bodies.
Why are the words ‘trading name’ on some documents and the website?
From June 2025, University of the Built Environment will be a trading name for UCEM until all legal and Privy Council (this relates to the Royal Charter) matters have been completed. This may take up to a year. However, we can start trading as University of the Built Environment before those processes are completed.
Why are we using the terminology of ‘trading name’ when we are a charity?
The Office for Students (OfS) uses the term ‘trading name’ in its Register of Providers, which includes several charities. OfS is the principal regulator for higher education, rather than the Charity Commission which may use other terminology.
How will it affect awards, degrees and certificates?
We will continue to provide high quality, professional awards, degrees and certificates recognised by industry regulatory bodies and valued by our students and employers.
Those students graduating in July 2025 will have been awarded before the name change and therefore will receive a UCEM certificate.
For those graduating from January 2026, the award will be University of the Built Environment, but for a period of time, existing students will be able to choose to graduate with a UCEM award/certificate. Further information will be provided in due course.
For Hong Kong students it is anticipated the same timescale will apply, however this will be subject to HKCAAVQ’s assessment.
UCEM is an established name in our sector, how will employers know awards given by University of the Built Environment are genuine?
The institution will ensure it is clear in its communications, website and formal documents that University of the Built Environment is the same underlying organisation and has the same values, accreditations, professional awards and industry standards as it did when it was UCEM.
If you have any queries regarding the name change, please contact the relevant team:
- Students – raise an enquiry Student Central or call +44 (0)118 921 4696
- Hong Kong queries – g.lee@ucem.ac.uk
- Employers – businessdevelopment@ucem.ac.uk
- Alumni – alumni@ucem.ac.uk
- Press – press@ucem.ac.uk