Program Overview

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Finance and Real Estate, MSc

Introduction

Educating future leaders of the real estate profession, our Master's in Finance and Real Estate bridges the gap between undergraduate studies and the workforce. The programme combines the study of two complementary subject areas with leading industry accreditation and professional training to ensure you are industry-ready on a global level. The programme is designed to extend your capabilities in all financial aspects of real estate and property development with a focus on international real estate markets and commercial property valuation and investment.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 12 months or 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
• Start Month: September
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

This programme holds accreditation from Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which allows graduates to progress on to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). It also runs in parallel with the globally recognised qualification - CFA Level 1, so you have a choice and the opportunity to complete a leading professional qualification as part of your studies. Additionally, the Investment Property Forum has included this programme on its selected list of graduate programmes that they consider to provide the relevant skills necessary for those operating in the property investment market.

In the third term students have a further choice of three options which open up opportunities for a commercial or an international focus of study, either by writing a traditional dissertation, or visiting a range of cities in Asia as part of the Asian Cities course with associated reports based on learning from the trip. (Students will incur the costs of this course plus the travel, accommodation and subsistence for their time in Asia) or, undertaking a work placement in professional practice. Students are responsible for finding their own placement, but staff are there to support and guide students in this.

The University of Aberdeen is a leader in teaching and research in the field of real estate and this programme builds on our considerable strengths in these areas. The Business School is home to The Centre for Real Estate Research (CRER). Since inception in 1995, the CRER has matured into an established and internationally recognised research grouping: it supports members in the development of collaborative research activity and seeks to shape the rapidly emerging international research agenda in real estate. This active and collaborative research community ensures that the course content remains at the forefront of current thinking and gives our students the great advantage of accessing a wealth of powerful data.

What You'll Study

Stage 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Valuation for Surveyors
  • Real Estate Economics
  • Quantitative Methods (BU5025)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
  • Issues in Corporate Finance (BU5034)

Stage 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Real Estate Investment and Appraisal (15 credit points)
  • Real Estate Portfolio Investment (15 credit points)
  • Portfolio Analysis (BU5526)
• Optional Courses:
  • BU557B Sustainable Development (15 credit points)
  • Professional Finance (BU5849)

Stage 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Students must choose one of the following:
    • Asian Cities (60 credit points)
    • Professional Work Placement (60 credit points)
    • Real Estate Dissertation (60 credit points)

Fee Information

• Fee category | Cost
  • UK | £15,700
  • EU / International students | £26,250
• An option may be available to include our Asian Cities tour modules in lieu of the dissertation at a cost of £1,000 for the tuition fees only. Students doing this option must note that they are responsible for travel and accommodation expenses additional to this sum. All fees are subject to annual review.

Funding Opportunities

• The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:
  • The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
• Scholarships:
  • All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
  • To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Field Trips
• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Seminars
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• By course work, group work, presentations, by written examination or by a combination of those, as prescribed for each course.

Why Study Finance and Real Estate?

• This programme offers:
  • Excellence with relevance
  • A 'conversion' programme that can be completed in a single year as a route to a professional career in real estate
  • Combine two complementary specialisms within one degree programme
  • The skill sets, employable knowledge and the practical experience demanded by financial and real estate markets and appropriate techniques applied in these markets.
  • The only professional accredited Master's in Scotland within a business school
  • Multi-disciplinary input (Economics, Finance, Law and construction as well as Real Estate)
  • Research-led education
  • Investment Property Forum (IPF) has included this programme on their selected list of graduate programmes that they consider to provide the relevant skills necessary for those operating in the property investment market
  • Excellent employment prospects

Careers

• This MSc’s unique combined programme provides a credible platform for both finance and real estate career options – preparing students for rewarding posts in real estate finance or real estate portfolio management.
• Our MSc graduates have entered into a wide variety of employment, including professional firms, finance, real estate research, consultancy and the public sector.
• Industry Links:
  • The Real Estate Group has strong links with the profession with practitioners regularly involved in workshops and field trips.

Accreditation

• Accreditation and world-wide recognition from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allows graduates to proceed to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
• This degree is also recognised by the well-respected Investment Property Forum (IPF).
• The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
• Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is an undergraduate degree at UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

English Language Requirements

• To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently.
• The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

• You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme.
• Degree Transcript: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
• Personal Statement: a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Our Experts

• You will be taught by and have access to a number of experts, many of whom are internationally renowned within their respective fields.
• Programme Leader: Fiona Stoddard

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.
• 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.