BSc Real Estate with MSc/Dip Urban Planning & Development

UCAS code: K400

Course length: 3 years (4 years for MSc or Diploma)

Entry requirements:

A Levels:  AAB from 3 A Levels or ABBb from 3 A Levels and 1 AS Level, excluding Key Skills and General Studies

IB: 6, 6, 6

GCSE: Mathematics and English Language grade B or above

Deferred entry: Yes  

Overview

This is a planning degree course with a difference. At the end of four years you will have gained both an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification and have accreditation from two professional institutions – the RICS and RTPI. You will have acquired a distinctive combination of skills. You will have a market edge over others working in the property market, with an ability to see the financial potential of any development opportunities. Additionally, you will have an awareness of the environmental and social issues crucial to the success of contemporary urban planning. This distinctive combination gives students a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

This course builds on the BSc Real Estate programme with foundation studies (the first two years) being shared. This provides a strong academic and practical basis for the final two years. In the third year, you will specialise in development and planning and complete your undergraduate studies at that point. During the fourth year, you will take a twelve month MSc/Dip in Urban Planning and Development which will give you RPTI accreditation.

Teaching and assessment

This course is divided into four parts, each one lasting one academic year. Teaching and continuous assessment take place in the Autumn and Spring terms. Examinations are held in the Summer term following a period for revision. The method of assessment varies depending on the aims, content and style of each module. Modules may be assessed by coursework, class tests, examinations or a mixture of these methods. Students taking the MSc route have to complete a dissertation.

Career prospects

This course provides you with a good platform to build a career in the development industry, planning or property consultancy or in local government. We are able to offer you specialised career advice if you intend to work in the real estate or planning industries. Every year we hold a Careers Fair in conjunction with the Reading Real Estate Foundation when more than thirty leading companies come to the University and host stands showing Real Estate & Planning students what they have to offer. The University's award-winning Careers Advisory Service (CAS) also offers career advice for all students.

Course content

Part 1

• Economics for managers
• General introduction to law
• Introduction to planning & building
• Introduction to property law
• Investment appraisal

+ projects-based modules focussing on real-world scenarios

Part 2

• Applied property law
• Management in the real estate sector
• Planning law & practice
• Property valuation
• Real estate economics & investment

+ projects-based modules focussing on real-world scenarios

Part 3

• Development projects
• Sustainability & urban design
• Property development appraisal & finance
• Real estate development

Optional modules including for example:

• International real estate markets
• Regeneration
• Rural policy and planning
• A modern language

Final year (for MSc)

• Planning theory, politics & practice
• Planning projects
• Strategic planning
• Development planning

Optional modules, plus:

• Research methods and dissertation for MSc students