Overview

Built for property

No two days in real estate are the same. From commercial property management and appraisal to property development and planning, a career in real estate is a career of possibilities. Professionals in this industry have the opportunity to innovate and shape the world around them for the better, and in a growing, evolving property landscape, their expertise is always in demand.

UCEM’s fully online, industry-recognised and accredited BSc (Hons) in Real Estate Management will equip you with the academic credentials you need to begin or further your journey in this exciting field. This programme will not only help you develop a diverse set of in-demand skills, but also identify specialist areas within the industry for you to explore in your career.

About this degree

Programme details

This online programme is structured to deliver a wide range of skills for those wishing to practise in the real estate sector, be it residential, commercial or industrial. It provides you with a rigorous academic platform that underpins your trajectory to chartered status, along with professional skills, industry knowledge and technical expertise. This combination will give you the confidence you need to progress in your career and rise to the complex, varied challenges real estate professionals face.

Course accreditations

 

 

Course recognised by:

 

 

 

Structure

Modules you will study

If you choose the part-time route, you will study 18 modules across 4.5 years.

Autumn

Year 1

Introduction to the Built Environment 1

Appreciate how legal, political and social issues shape our sector and its role in the economy. Understand the project lifecycle and the RIBA Plan of Work. Identify the industry’s stakeholders and professions and your chosen profession’s key responsibilities in meeting client objectives.

Introduction to Sustainability

Explore the causes of climate change and the challenges of sustainable development, with particular focus on the construction and property sector. Examine the relationship between property and the environment along with the criteria used to measure sustainability in relation to finished construction projects.

Professional and Business Practice

Gain an understanding of the organisational structures within the sector. Appreciate the role of business planning and the accounting concepts that support decision making. Consider the importance and benefits of client management, professionalism, ethical practice and diversity in the workforce.

Construction Technology 1

Establish a foundation knowledge of buildings, the environment and technology, also considering them from a sustainability perspective. Develop your communication skills and construction literacy with real-world examples of construction projects, including traditional masonry and roof construction.

Year 2

Introduction to Regulatory and Built Environment Law

Dive into the legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the construction and property sector, along with the legal environment in the context of planning, design and occupation and health and safety as it relates to both design and construction activity.

Property Economics

Apply basic economic theory to the four dimensions of property and construction sector activity: the market, the public policy, the temporal, and the spatial dimensions. Develop your analytical skills and recognise the relevance of economic analysis to property-related issues.

Property Law

Learn the principles of land ownership (freehold and leasehold), including the acquisition and protection of third-party rights. Gain an understanding of common law and the statutory rules that govern the landlord and tenant relationship and develop an analytical approach to legal problem-solving.

Year 3

Planning Practice and Policy

Examine the role and purpose of planning and key planning principles and policies relating to housing, town centres, transportation, retailing and the countryside, with consideration given to social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainability.

Valuation in Practice

Develop within a practice context, your understanding of the comparative, investment, profits and depreciated replacement cost methods of valuations. Explore the means of analysis, yield selection and risk considerations required by valuers.

Development Process and Appraisal

Examine the process of developing land and the factors that determine what can be developed. Undertaking authentic tasks, expand your understanding of valuation methods, such as residual appraisal and discounted cashflow, to reflect these factors in the valuation of development land.

Property Agency and Marketing

Dive into the practice, principles and dynamics of estate agency and property marketing, focusing on residential and commercial property markets in England and Wales. Explore the client-agent relationship, company account analysis, the logic of location theory and how the sale price is determined.

Year 4

Research Proposal

Develop specific research skills and techniques that allow you to investigate issues and situations related to your area of interest, and apply these to an industry-related problem. Gain analytical skills and learn techniques that will directly enhance your employability skills.

Commercial Property Management

Examine the role that commercial property plays for both an investor and an occupier, considering the sustainable management strategies of property owners and how the commercial property manager helps develop and implement these strategies.

Applied Valuation

Apply valuation principles to more complex situations and explore rental growth explicit valuation concepts. Understand both the theoretical and practical limitations in valuing property and its environments and how these affect value.  Consider professional ethics and the impact of sustainability.

Statutory Valuations

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to carry out valuations for statutory purposes, specifically for compulsory purchase and compensation and taxation. Develop an understanding and expertise in both of these disciplines to provide appropriate and reflective advice and valuations to clients.

Year 5

Investment Appraisal and Portfolio Management

Develop your ability to understand and analyse investments, so you can recognise property as an investment asset within the overall spectrum of other investment categories. Building the practical skills that will enable you to make informed investment decisions for clients.

Contemporary Issues Case Study

Establish an up-to-date understanding of the developments, issues and arguments that dominate contemporary debate and policy making within the built environment, and formulate your own line of enquiry and analysis, informed by your own critical review.

Structure details

The module structure above is indicative for those beginning their studies in the autumn. For further information about programme content, or to see how modules are structured for those starting in spring, you can view the full programme specification which sets out aims, intended learning outcomes and assessment methods.

If you are looking to study this programme on the full-time route, the module table will vary. You can find more information on this by getting in touch with our knowledgeable Admissions Team.

For further information on modules view our module descriptors. Please note that modules are subject to change.

Programme leader

Programme leader

Matthew Smith

BSc MRICS Cert ED MED FHEA

Matthew Smith is a chartered surveyor with 12 years of professional practice with commercial, residential development and healthcare property. He has experience of valuation, agency, development and investment appraisal as well as compulsory purchase and insolvency. He also has a keen interest in building technology and proptech.

Matthew moved into education in 1997 and has both a Certificate and Master’s in Education. He has won awards for his teaching and learning and in 2012 was shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher Education Most Innovative Teacher of the Year Award.

Meet Matthew

Introduction Webinar

Join lecturer Matthew Smith in his programme introduction webinar. Here you can learn more about UCEM, online study and the course, and ask any questions you may have.

Lecturer Appointment

Ideal for those who have already attended the introduction webinar, this is a great opportunity to ask your specific questions to the lecturer one-to-one.

Online learning

The future of study

1 2 3 4 5

Flexible study

Balance your study, work and home commitments, all while working towards your career goals

e-Library access

Full access to a comprehensive and valuable e-library with a wealth of resources to support your studies

Interactive

Study using a diverse range of interactive, modern and dynamic learning resources

Expert-led

Learning activities that have been designed by UCEM tutors and subject matter experts

Stay connected

Learn alongside a diverse community of students from all over the world

Time commitment and study breakdown

Studying two modules per semester requires an expected time commitment of 15-20 hours per week. If you study only one module per semester, the weekly time commitment will be less, depending on the module’s credit size. Most modules are typically 20 credits.

45

Directed study time (%)

25

Self-directed study time (%)

30

Assessment study time (%)

Careers

Where can it take you?

Graduating from this programme offers a variety of career pathways. From generalist roles in the public sector and private practice to specialist areas in commercial or residential markets, you could take up a professional position in:

  • Estate and Property Management
  • Finance, Investment and Development
  • Appraisal, Agency and Building Management
  • Planning and Development
Case Studies Slide 2
Online learning is
the future

Find out how it's right for you and your studies.

Applications

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