Program Overview

MSc Real Estate

About this course

LJMU's MSc in Real Estate is accredited by the RICS and is designed as a fast-track route for first-degree holders seeking a career in Real Estate.

• Study on a course professionally accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Prepare for a career in Real Estate from a wide range of first degrees
• Combine academic rigour with extensive practical experience of the construction and property professions
• Benefit from extensive industry involvement from the public and private sector
• Enjoy excellent career opportunities with leading UK and international surveying firms and consultancies, property companies, developers and public sector organisations

This programme aims to provide you with the skills and attributes to gain a graduate surveyor position within the profession. It has been designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to understand the role of the Real Estate professional in the valuation, appraisal, strategic management and development of commercial and residential property assets.

You will be provided with not only the technical knowledge and understanding required in practice, but also the essential practical and transferable skills required by employers, providing an excellent basis for the development of your career within the surveying profession.

The programme has a high standing both academically and professionally and the quality of the course is recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which has selected LJMU as a partnering establishment for accreditation purposes.

As a student on this course you will also benefit from the Schools established research reputation. Our internationally recognised work, combined with the academic teams knowledge and experience in both practice and academia, plus extensive links with employers, ensures that our postgraduate degrees are industry-focused, globally relevant and at the forefront of knowledge development.

Course modules

Core modules

• Research Methods (10 credits)
  • This module focuses on your critical understanding of the research process. In preparation for your research study, it also develops skills in research design, implementation and presentation. You will come to understand the differing techniques, strategies and methods used to undertake research in the built environment.
• Dissertation (60 credits)
  • This module develops and tests your ability to prepare a dissertation, based on the study of a subject related to your chosen discipline within the built environment. Dissertation preparation normally takes place after completion of the Postgraduate Diploma stage.
• Real Estate Management (20 credits)
  • This module provides an understanding of the application of key management and business strategies in Real Estate investment. It will develop your knowledge of commercial, corporate and residential real estate management objectives, policies and strategy formulation. You will consider strategic Real Estate management theory and examine its practical application as well as analysing operational Real Estate management strategies and their impact on overall performance.
• Building Technology and Management (10 credits)
  • This module will enable you to understand and evaluate the principles and techniques used in the construction of buildings. It will also help you to appraise and analyse the complexities of managing buildings from an asset management perspective. You will come to appreciate the complexity of building construction and technology and the importance of managing and maintaining Real Estate assets to optimise organisational and commercial performance.
• Valuation (20 credits)
  • The module takes you through valuation theory and methodology, including the use and derivation of underlying valuation tables and mathematics. It also develops an understanding of the economics underpinning the property market and the practical application of valuation techniques. The module aims to:
    • establish a comprehensive understanding and appraisal of the principal valuation theories and methodologies and evaluate their application in professional practice
    • build an understanding the economic drivers and dynamics underpinning property markets and critically examine their impact on valuation practice
    • increase your competency in the practical application of valuation theory and techniques within a range of property market scenarios and conditions
• Real Estate Investment (20 credits)
  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of Real Estate as an investment option within the marketplace and to evaluate its performance against other investment vehicles. You will gain a critical understanding of selection, pricing and performance measurement models and apply these within the context of strategic portfolio management. The module provides an extensive study of the market for investment funds. Particular reference is made to quantitative measures of risk and return and the quantitative techniques used in pricing financial assets.
• Planning and Sustainable Development (20 credits)
  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and critical understanding of planning law, policy and procedures with particular reference to the English planning system. It also increases your knowledge and critical understanding of the property development process.
• Law for Surveyors (20 credits)
  • This module aims to enable the students to develop knowledge and understanding of the legal and professional environment within which surveying practitioners operate. To develop a critical appreciation of legal principles governing ownership and occupation of land and property.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

• The programme runs for a full calendar year from September to September. Teaching is two days per week full-time and one day per week part-time.
• You will be taught via: lectures, tutorials, problem-solving sessions, seminars, practical workshops utilising professional software applications and databases and directed student-centred learning, such as case studies.
• The course has been developed in partnership with principal surveying practices and enjoys established links with employers in both the private and public sector, ensuring that it is responsive to the changing needs of industry, government, local communities and professional practice.

Career paths

• LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
• Graduates of the programme have found employment with leading UK and international surveying firms, property consultancies, developers and public sector organisations.
• Many employers offer excellent positions with a structured graduate training programme ensuring you will complete the full range of training required for the APC. After qualifying professionally, you may have the opportunity to become a partner in an established surveying practice or go on to run your own practice.
• Some graduates have used their property expertise to follow a different property related career path with large accountancy companies, law practices and banking and insurance providers. The knowledge and skills our graduates offer has been seen as a major benefit to the overall service provided by these non-surveying organisations.

Tuition fees and funding

Home International

• Full-time per year: £9,850
• Full-time per year: £18,250

Fees

• The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.

Financial Support

• There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

• In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

Home International

• Qualification requirements:
  • a minimum 2:2 honours degree
  • an equivalent professional qualification with appropriate work experience
• Alternative qualifications considered:
  • an equivalent professional qualification with appropriate work experience
• Additional requirements:
  • Interview required
  • You may need to attend an interview
• International requirements:
  • IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

How to apply

• To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
• You need to demonstrate that you have a sufficient level of knowledge to embark on the programme and to complete it within the time limits. You should provide evidence, at the interview stage, of your learning capabilities and commitment to a postgraduate programme of study.
• Applications from non-standard applicants are welcomed. In exceptional circumstances applications by mature healthcare practitioners without sufficient qualifications will be considered.