Course overview

This course specifically aims to enable you to:

• extend your skills of critical analysis, reflection, evaluation, decision-making and problem-solving so that you will be able to operate professionally within a frequently changing setting
• develop practical skills needed for everyday work in setting objectives, advising clients and working professionally
• demonstrate levels of research understanding that enable analysis and evaluation of published work and undertake a research project
• develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues related to the property sector as a basis for evidence of informed practice
• demonstrate the ability to offer appropriate advice on investment in, and the efficient management of, the built environment

The School of Civil Engineering and Surveying offers a number of property-related undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses. Based in the award-winning Portland Building, the School shares its facilities with the School of Architecture, providing a vibrant and friendly community for both staff and students involved in the built and natural environments.

You will be taught by staff from a wide range of professional practice, including chartered surveyors, architects, structural engineers, economists, planners and lawyers. Their hands-on experience is reflected in the modern and diverse nature of this course, which provides you with a flexible degree programme that allows you to tailor the course to your own interests, whilst acquiring a range of skills and experiences that will be of direct benefit in the workplace.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The University of Portsmouth has delivered property courses for over 35 years and is one of the longest established Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited centres. We have been designated 'partnership status' by RICS, which represents the coming together of both parties to establish and achieve common goals. This has the benefits of providing further quality assurance to our accredited courses. We are therefore able to offer a number of undergraduate and postgraduate property courses that carry this accreditation, including this course.

Once you have obtained your first job you can begin training to become a chartered surveyor with a professional qualification. This is known as the 'Assessment of Professional Competence' (APC) and is a structured on-the-job training scheme ending with an assessment interview. Once you have satisfactorily completed this, you can apply to become a member of the RICS and are able to use the designated status chartered surveyor and the letters MRICS after your name.

Many of our former students now hold senior positions in industry and the quality of our courses has been recognised by the property profession.

Course content

Our MSc Property Development is intended for undergraduate students who are interested in following a career in the property sector and those already working in this field who want to gain a formal qualification.

You can study this course in either full-time (12 months) or part-time (24 months) mode. Over the respective study period, the programme develops the themes of property development, property management and valuation through the taught subject areas of:

• Construction technology and professional practice, which will develop your understanding of building construction principles and professional practice in the property sector.
• Property and planning law, procedures and practice, which will develop your understanding of the role of common law, equity and statute in the development of English land law. It will also cover the purpose, legal basis and practice of town and country planning in England and Wales.
• Property economics, investment and development, which will develop an integrated framework for understanding how macroeconomic variables, finance markets and planning policies combine to determine urban development and investment outcomes.
• Valuation and estate management, which will provide an introduction to, and the rationale for, freehold and leasehold property valuation methodologies and estate management principles, moving on to more advanced techniques overtime.

There is also an opportunity to carry out and complete an independent dissertation project during the final stage of the course. You will be able to choose a subject area of particular personal interest, within the broad scope of the built environment.

Teaching and assessment

In addition to the more traditional forms of assessment, this course is assessed in a variety of different ways that will provide you with valuable skills and experience in activities such as teamwork, report production, making presentations and web authoring.

Most lectures are supported by a set of tutor prepared study guides that are accessible electronically. Whilst classroom-based learning has its place, by its very nature this course requires a proactive and hands-on approach that encompasses site visits and fieldwork.

We encourage all of our students to become active learners in order to take full advantage of the many learning resources that are available while they are students here in Portsmouth.

All students are assigned a personal tutor who holds weekly group tutorial sessions, where issues raised in the course can be discussed. You will also be expected to complete a dissertation project, in a subject of your own choice, which will be developed and conducted with the advice and guidance of a personal tutor. This friendly, modern and supportive learning environment will give you the opportunity to maximise your academic potential.

Input from industry

The School's property development lecture series provide you with the opportunity to attend and contribute to topical debates that surround emerging property and business issues. Delivered by specially invited professional practitioners, the lecture series provides an opportunity for business updates and a first-hand perspective on both local and national property environments. In addition, whenever numbers permit, you will be able to join other RICS members attending the Continuing Professional Development seminars that are provided as part of our commitment to local RICS membership and other professionals.

Career prospects

Working in property makes for an interesting, challenging and exciting career. It is well paid and very sociable. It gets you out of the office and you will meet and work with all sorts of interesting people. The best thing about working in property is the sheer variety. No two days are ever the same.

Property is an important, high-value business asset and sound professional advice on its development and use is increasingly sought. Put simply, there are not enough graduate surveyors to meet market demand and this has created a situation where employment prospects and starting salaries are excellent.

Once you have obtained your first job you can begin training to become a chartered surveyor with a professional qualification. This is known as the 'Assessment of Professional Competence' (APC) and is a structured on-the-job training scheme ending with an assessment interview. Once you have satisfactorily completed this, you can apply to become a member of the RICS and are able to use the designated status chartered surveyor and the letters MRICS after your name.

Facilities and features

The postgraduate property courses are based in the award-winning Portland Building. The acclaimed futuristic design of the building incorporates many of the principles of effective and environmentally sensitive property development. Apart from being a fantastic place to learn and study, the building provides an example of how important buildings are in creating an environment that is conducive to learning.

A large part of the building is given over to a learning resource centre that includes printing resources and computer facilities. We also provide online access to an extensive range of subscription-only professional database and reference sources. The University Library includes an extensive map library staffed by cartographers who are able to provide expert advice and guidance on the digital presentation of Ordnance Survey and other mapping formats.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Property Development are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: The School of Civil Engineering and Surveying
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2555
Email: technology.admissions@port.ac.uk