Program Overview

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MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (part-time)

Overview

Aimed at those already working in the housing sector, our Housing Studies course will help you develop your career further. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the course covers all aspects of housing services.

Key Facts

• Award: Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
• Start date: September 2025
• Duration: MSc: 36 months, PGDip: 24 months
• Mode of study: part-time
• Delivery: online

Accreditations

• Chartered Institute of Housing

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent.
• Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

International Entry Requirements

• View the entry requirements for your country.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.

Course Details

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the syllabus covers all aspects of housing services, including:

• Providing housing services: housing intervention across tenures, accessing housing, rent arrears, repairs, welfare reform, ethics and professionalism, communicating with customers, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Sustainable communities: sustainable homes, development, fuel poverty, housing and inequality, place-making, community-led regeneration.
• Organisational behaviour: leadership, management, team work, organisational learning, cultural change, overcoming conflict.
• Finance and strategy: strategic planning, housing aspirations, needs and choices, housing finance, delivering affordable housing supply.
• Housing governance: housing policy analysis, legal framework for housing law, governance of housing.
• Healthy housing: homelessness, ageing, health and wellbeing, social care.

The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over two years and you’ll study six academic modules.

You can build up to the full Masters of 180 credits in stages, or exit at any stage and receive an award:

• Six modules plus a dissertation for 180 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Masters and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
• Six modules for 120 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded Postgraduate Diploma and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
• Three modules for 60 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.

Modules

• The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Assessment

• Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, online tests, group work and a seminar presentation. Each module has one or two assessments rather than end of semester examinations.

Classroom Hours

• Studying part-time equates to approximately 18 hours on average per week which includes all structured learning, personal study and assessments.

Course Director

• Professor Kim McKee

Key Staff

• At Stirling, staff in Housing Studies aim to:
  • provide effective professional housing education;
  • promote development of skills in the workplace;
  • promote and support equality and diversity in access to professional education;
  • exploit technology to make our course of study available to students, regardless of location or learning needs;
  • increase learning opportunities for students particularly from remote areas;
  • enhance course content from tutors’ research and expertise.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans

• This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments.

Additional Costs

• There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips.

Scholarships and Funding

• Tuition fees and other associated expenses are normally met by sponsoring employers. Students and employers may wish to take into account other costs in budgeting for the course such as book purchase and travelling expenses and costs of accommodation for visits to campus.

Payment Options

• We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments.

After You Graduate

• Stirling graduates have a strong track record of making rapid career progress on completion of the Masters or Diploma. Potential career opportunities include management in housing organisations, specialist research, policy and strategy work. Increasingly, there are opportunities linked to key government initiatives and policy areas.

Employability Skills

• A key part of the MSc Housing Studies is to help you develop transferable skills that employers are looking for, such as:
  • academic skills in analysis and writing;
  • technical skills in the appraisal and evaluation of housing development, design and construction in the built environment;
  • professional skills in housing;
  • communication skills in report writing and group presentations;
  • self-management skills in organising work and meeting deadlines;
  • interpersonal skills in group discussion and listening;
  • digital online skills for meetings and group engagement.

Companies We Work With

• A very substantial number of housing organisations support student internships and sponsor their staff to undertake the Housing Studies course at Stirling.

What Our Students Said

• View more student stories
• Laura Breeze
  • Scotland
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies
  • "Studying part-time meant I could remain in my current role, while also pursuing a qualification which would help me develop my career, and hopefully move in to a management role. With the academic knowledge I’ve gained, I want to make real changes to the housing sector."
• Doug Webster
  • Scotland
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies with Distinction
  • "I wanted to complement and enhance my understanding of housing to the betterment of myself and my organisation. The Postgraduate Diploma offers those of us working in this profession the opportunity to advance our skills and knowledge."
• Ashley Duffy
  • Scotland
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies
  • "My six years at Stirling has shaped me into the young professional I am today and has also advanced my personal development. Balancing work, study, and life was challenging at times but the support and encouragement from staff was instrumental in helping me achieve my ambitions."

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