MSc Real Estate Development

at University of Westminster

Course structure

The aim of the course is to provide you with a detailed understanding of the property development and appraisal process, encompassing valuation, financial, physical, legal and social aspects. You'll analyse development situations and respond to particular development problems with derived solutions. You’ll also enhance your capability to critically appraise options and independently evaluate alternative courses of action. There are seven core modules, including the dissertation, and one option module.
 

Depending on your choice of option modules, you can tailor your studies towards valuation, legal or property finance and investment, learning more about procurement surveying, how to raise capital, take financial decisions or deal with banks and investors.
 

The modules below are indicative of what you will study on this course. You will take modules totalling 180 credits.
 

Semester 1

In the first semester, you'll study subjects including property and planning law, valuation and finance with examples from real case scenarios. Industry guest speakers will complement lectures delivered by the course team, and student activities will include site visits and work on property development and finance projects that will bring together skills newly acquired as part of your learning process.
 

Semester 2

In the second semester, you'll be given the opportunity to register for an optional field trip to an international property market destination (subject to additional cost). In the past, for example, students travelled to New York to study urban regeneration and real estate development in midtown Manhattan and the surrounding areas. They visited some of the major development firms, the city’s business department, business improvement districts and one of the world’s largest new developments at Hudson Yards. 
 

To complete the course, you need to choose a research topic, conduct empirical research and produce an academic dissertation. Previous students have, for example, considered the impact of Crossrail on house prices in outer London boroughs, analysed the shortcomings and alternatives to the Help to Buy Scheme (HTB) and the impact of tenant rights on the residential property markets in the UK and Germany.
 

Core modules

• Asset Management
• Dissertation/Project
• Law for Property Professionals
• Property Development
• Property Finance
• Property Valuation
• Sustainability and Real Estate
   

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Relevant degree disciplines include geography, economics, a traditional science, a property-related discipline or law. Or membership of a recognised professional body whose entry requirements are equivalent to graduate level, and ideally some relevant practical experience.
 

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
 

Applicants are required to submit one reference.

International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

Real estate is a dynamic, sociable and high-earning profession. It encompasses most areas of commercial (industrial, office and retail) and residential property.
 

The RICS accreditation will enable you to take the Professional Assessment of Competence after a period of suitable employment. When you enrol on this course, you’ll be entitled to register for RICS student membership and access training as part of the CPD Foundation. This, coupled with the relationships with other professional bodies and our alumni, gives you access to some excellent networking opportunities with city and suburban property firms.
 

On graduation, you'll find employment opportunities in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Previous students have undertaken roles in property development, valuation, law, finance and investment, as well as property management for major property firms, such as Cushman and Wakefield, Savills, Knight Frank, as well as other property development and consultancy companies within Greater London and surrounding areas.