Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Science in Property Studies

The Bachelor of Science in Property Studies programme is designed to provide students with a broad knowledge base, including finance, economics, property law, and communication and computer skills. The programme aims to equip students with the necessary skills and values to succeed in the property industry and related professions.

Aims of the Programme

The primary objective of the Bachelor of Science in Property Studies programme is to provide the property industry, related professions, the State, and non-profit sectors with graduates who possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to excel in a broad range of professional activities in the built environment. The programme also aims to provide graduates with the required education to meet the registration requirements of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP).

Outcomes of the Programme

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Property Studies programme, graduates will be competent to:

• Compute various mathematical functions, including financial analysis, and undertake statistical tests.
• Understand the time value of money and its application to property investment and finance.
• Use appropriate information technology hardware and software for the collection, analysis, and presentation of information.
• Manage tender and contractual documents relating to building work.
• Undertake macro- and micro-economic analyses of property markets.
• Build econometric models of property markets and generate predictions of property market activity.
• Undertake feasibility and viability studies for property development.
• Value property for various purposes, using various approaches, methods, and techniques, and produce a valuation report.
• Manage property as a physical and investment asset.
• Understand and evaluate economic, environmental, social, and other issues concerning cities, the property sector, and the property firm, at both a micro and a macro level, in the context of developing/emerging economies.
• Apply the tools of economics to the analysis of major environmental problems affecting property markets.
• Understand the spatial structure of urban areas in terms of land uses and land/property values in the context of developing/emerging economies.
• Understand the types of, the rationale for, and impacts of public sector interventions in property markets and city-building.
• Understand and apply the principles of the common law and customary law relating to immovable property.
• Understand and apply key legislation relating to the tenure of immovable property.
• Understand the role and impact of new and emerging technologies on property markets.
• Inter-relate with colleagues and successfully manage and/or participate in team working situations.
• Construct solutions that relate to practical problems and resolve disputes using appropriate methods.
• Frame research questions, identify, collect, and collate primary and secondary data sources, and have an understanding of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.
• Demonstrate career-readiness, a clear professional identity, and insights into skills, knowledge, and values necessary to meet the standards of performance and practice expected by their profession and society.

Programme Structure

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Property Studies programme extends over not less than 3 academic years of study.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted as a candidate for the Bachelor of Science in Property Studies degree programme, an individual must:

1. Obtain the National Senior Certificate endorsed for degree studies.
2. Obtain the required number of points (applicable to candidates writing the South African National Senior Certificate Examination).
3. Satisfy specified subject requirements.
4. Hold a degree from the University of Cape Town or another university recognized for the purpose by the Senate.

Courses

The programme consists of the following courses:

First Year

• CON1021F: Property and Planning I (16 credits)
• CON1022F: Building Construction I (16 credits)
• ECO1010F: Microeconomics (18 credits)
• MAM1010F: Mathematics 1010 (18 credits)
• CON1025S: Property and Technology (16 credits)
• CON1024S: Property Economics I (16 credits)
• CON1023S: Building Construction II (16 credits)
• ECO1011S: Macroeconomics (18 credits)
• STA1000S: Statistics 1000 (18 credits) Subtotal: 152 credits

Second Year

• CML1001F: Business Law I (18 credits)
• ACC1006F: Financial Accounting 1A (18 credits)
• FTX2020F: Business Finance (18 credits)
• CON2033F: Real Property Law 1 (16 credits)
• CON2036F: Property Valuation I (16 credits)
• STA2020S: Applied Statistics (24 credits)
• CON2032S: Property Investment and Finance I (16 credits)
• CON2034S: Professionalism in the Built Environment (12 credits)
• CON2035S: Property and Planning II (16 credits) Subtotal: 154 credits

Third Year

• CSC1015F: Computer Science 1015 (18 credits)
• CON3046S: Property and Facilities Management (16 credits)
• CON3047F: Property Investment and Finance II (16 credits)
• CON3048F: Property Development I (16 credits)
• CON3050F: Property and Contract Law (16 credits)
• CON3051S: Property Valuation II (16 credits)
• CON3052S: Property Economics II (16 credits)
• CON3053S: Property and Environment (16 credits)
• CON3054S: Property Development II (16 credits) Subtotal: 146 credits Total: 452 credits