Program Overview

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Real Estate

Introduction

Specialising in the economic analysis of commercial and residential real estate markets using qualitative and econometric methods.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Degree Qualification: PhD

Our Research

Real Estate research is integrated across five distinct research themes in our Business School. These themes are carried through into our Research Centres and current research projects.

Research Interests

Work, Health and Wellbeing

Our research on Work, Health and Wellbeing examines some of the most important public policy challenges of the 21st century.

• Supervisors: Dr John Skåtun (Theme Leader), Dr Harminder Battu, Professor Keith Bender, Dr Heather Dickey, Professor W David McCausland, Professor Catia Montagna, Professor Euan Phimister, Professor Ioannis Theodossiou, Dr Alex Zangelidis, Dr Yu Aoki

Energy and Environment

Advancing academic understanding of, and contribute to policy debates on, the major contemporary societal challenges in energy and the environment in the UK and worldwide

• Supervisors: Professor Euan Phimister (Theme Leader), Professor Catia Montagna, Professor Alex Kemp, Dr Takahiko Kiso, Dr Agathe Rouaix, Dr Nikolaos Vlassis, Dr Mauro Papi, Dr Nan Liu, Dr Rainer Schulz, Dr Martin Wersing, Dr Jing Cai

Finance, Organisation and Governance

Our research focuses on theoretical and empirical research on risk and asset pricing.

• Supervisors: Mr Mark Whittington (Co-theme Leader), Dr Ercan Balaban, Dr Laura McCann, Dr Anh Ngoc Nguyen, Dr William Finlay, Professor Martin Hoesli, Professor Hans K Hvide.

Theory and Methods

The theme explores implications for methodological, theoretical, and empirical research as well as impacts for policy and practice.

• Supervisors: Dr Karolina Kazimierczac (Co-theme Leader), Professor Catia Montagna

Property Market Analysis

Internationally-recognised research on real estate markets and regional and rural development issues, with findings influencing academic, policy and professional debates in the UK and worldwide.

• Supervisors: Professor Norman Hutchison (Theme Leader), Dr Nan Liu, Professor Bryan MacGregor, Dr Rainer Schulz, Dr Martin Wersing

Our Experts

• Director: Rainer Schulz, The University of Aberdeen

Entry Requirements

PhD Programme

• Applicants for this programme must have a good honours degree in real estate or a related subject.
• In addition, applicants must provide a detailed research proposal.
• APPLICANTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS BEFORE MAKING AN APPLICATION.
• We are open to discussing all potential projects with applicants, including the possibility of undertaking these via distance learning.
• Guidelines for writing a Research Proposal.
• Applicants must provide two academic references from their most recent academic institution.
• For further guidance on applying, please contact bs-.
• If English is not your first language you must also show evidence of attaining standards in English. View details of English language criteria.

Fees and Funding

• View the tuition fee rates

Scholarships

• Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore this Global Scholarship, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
• To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

Careers

• Graduates of the research programmes have been successful in establishing careers in a wide range of industries and sectors and can be found in many leading national and international industrial and financial organisations as well as universities.
• There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.

World Class Facilities

• The University of Aberdeen, established in 1495, is Scotland’s third oldest and the UK’s fifth oldest University. The university’s ancient campus reflects its long-standing academic tradition, with historic buildings such as King's College, which dates back to the 15th century. This blend of ancient architecture and modern facilities creates a unique atmosphere where students can experience the best of both tradition and innovation.

Sir Duncan Rice Library

• The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.

Aberdeen City

• Named Scotland's Safest University City (Unbroken Britain Survey, Provident Financial, 2018) and is in the top 10 in the UK for places to live and work (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2018).

Affordability

• Aberdeen has been named the cheapest place for students to rent private accommodation in the UK. In 2024, StuRents reports that the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.

Related Postgraduate Taught Degrees

• Finance and Real Estate
• Real Estate