We are passionate about sharing with our students the vital role they each have now and as future professionals in promoting a sustainable future for all. We believe that sustainability is not the domain of one discipline or profession. It is the responsibility of all disciplines, professions, organisations and individuals.
That is why on each of our courses within the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contribution you can make now, and as a graduate in the Built Environment.
Read the course details below to find out more.
Considering a career in the global real estate sector? Be inspired, come and study Real Estate at Ulster.
Are you interested in the sourcing, financial analysis, execution of property acquisitions and developments? What are the strategies and decision-making processes for real estate investment, finance and development? How can you successfully manage a real estate portfolio? How do you underwrite and undertake the due diligence of various investment and development opportunities? Do you wish to have more experience and emphasis in conducting land and property research?
The MSc Real Estate (Applied Research) is designed for those graduates with a non-property related degree who wish to cross over to the real estate discipline. The programme is for anyone with an interest in the workings of real estate markets and property businesses. Core areas include development and investment appraisal, sustainability, asset management, valuation, international real estate and market analysis. The unique qualities of this programme provide students with the capacity, skills and knowledge to provide analytical solutions within the property business environment. The programme also develops applied land and property research skills and an appreciation of how research enquiry is used creatively to provide the advancement of knowledge in the real estate discipline.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
The MSc Real Estate (Applied Research) includes a specialism based research dissertation module that advances students ability to critically appraise a land and property related topic thereby developing a sense of expertise and strong affiliation within the built environment discipline.
The overarching aim of the programme is to facilitate the personal and intellectual development of students and to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills appropriate to the property discipline commensurate with the requirements of the associated professional bodies; the public and private sectors; and commercial and corporate interests. The programme is designed to provide opportunities for student choice.
The rationale is to provide an intensive postgraduate educational opportunity for ambitious and motivated graduates who wants to develop their career in Real Estate. The subject matter is presented with an international perspective to reflect the increasingly strong role of property in today’s global business economy and to be of relevance to a career incorporating multinational organisations operating particularly in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia.
The programme will provide for the integration of theory and practice in real estate valuation, investment, management and development appraisal methodologies, including the key areas of real estate asset pricing and risk analysis, relevant to the commercial real estate industry, banks and institutional investors.
Graduates from the programme will be able to demonstrate various subject related qualities including; knowledge and understanding of the various best practices and accepted procedures of the property industry; Skill to practice the appropriate methods and practical techniques commonly used by a property surveyor. In the current financial environment real estate professionals are facing complex situations and making difficult decisions. Graduates will be, therefore, expected to have developed intellectual qualities, including high level cognitive skills, enabling them to analyse, synthesise and objectively evaluate complex issues, construct and defend a balanced argument and creatively identify problems and possible solutions in a real estate context. Graduates will also apply knowledge and rational judgment to source, critically review and use research material to plan and execute a significant practice-based enquiry that accurately and succinctly reflects the key issues, applies the methods and critically supports the conclusions within a real estate context.
Modules;
Professional Practice and Ethics
The professional body (RICS) places a considerable emphasis on the need for professionalism, professional conduct and legal awareness to be demonstrated by all members. This module provides the student with the knowledge and skills to enable them to self-appraise and become critically self-aware in developing their career path to become a professional real estate practitioner. Furthermore, this module develops the practical measurement skills of real estate students to ensure they can conduct, record and digitally represent floorplans. The module also provides students with practical insights into building pathology and defect detection as well as the wider regulatory framework within which a real estate practitioner resides.
Real Estate Economics
This module introduces students to a range of property market data in relation to contemporaneous issues facing property professionals. Students are exposed to the key issues facing property development and provision and are challenged with developing real-life appraisals. The module provides students with the core concepts required to understand the wide spectrum of real estate. This will enable the student to think through the problem and to propose possible strategies to tackle the issues.
Real Estate Valuation
This module introduces students to the challenges of valuing property for investment and development purposes. It provides students with a comprehensive overview of key valuation theory, practice and techniques both traditional and contemporary. It focuses specifically on the critical understanding of the different valuation techniques and their applications to statutory and non statutory valuation instructions. The module will also develop student understanding of the dynamics of the market and the legal environment within which real estate valuations and appraisals are conducted.
Sustainable Real Estate
This module introduces students to the challenges facing the real estate sector in responding to the sustainability agenda. It focuses specifically on developing critical appraisal skills to enable students to make informed decisions regarding assessing the sustainability of projects, buildings, investment decisions and operational/management activities.
Development Appraisal and Regeneration
This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the planning and property development process in context of sustainable urban regeneration, a contemporary and priority agenda in cities. The module provides the students with knowledge of key issues related to mixed use developments and the deliverability of sustainability principles within an urban regeneration context. This module addresses the policy objectives related to sustainable communities and low carbon growth in cities.
Real Estate Investment Analysis
This module considers the financial characteristics of investment and examines real estate from the point of view as a single asset or held within a portfolio of assets. It identifies the processes, procedures and regulatory framework necessary to value commercial real estate investments and cash flow appraisals.
Real Estate Asset Management
This module aims to foster a deep understanding of the fundamental challenges and opportunities presented by investment and occupational property assets. It adopts an approach of proactive asset management and seeks to equip the students with skills to add value to real estate assets and to prepare the student for employment in management of the principal events in the life cycle of property assets.
International Real Estate Markets
The module on International Real Estate Markets will provide students with the necessary knowledge of market dynamics in developed and emerging investment markets. The module will enable students to develop a sound knowledge of workings of the global market in terms of the participants in the market, the type of asset in which they invest, and the rationale behind their investment strategy.
Applied Research (Land and Property)
The research dissertation provides the opportunity for students to build and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the taught element of the programme to a problem relevant to the real estate industry. It provides the opportunity for the students to link theory and practice and further develop their evaluative and analytical skills within a land and property research environment. It develops applied research skills and applications with real world experience to support students' employment options upon graduation.
The MSc Real Estate (Applied Research) programme is only available on a full time mode and offers one point of entry in each academic year: September. The degree will normally be completed across two academic year.
Students take four 15-credit modules per semester and each module equates to a student effort of 150 hours, made up of direct contact hours (i.e. that delivered in the classroom) and the remainder as independent study time which would involve reading books, journals and researching for coursework etc. Students also undertake a 120-credit applied research dissertation module in semester 1 and 2 of the next academic year, which has limited direct teaching but has a staff supervisory process to support you.
On average the contact time per week for each module will be 4-5 hours (with a mix of lectures and tutorials). This varies in some modules but will not be more than 5 hours per week per module. Usually these contact hours are spread across a minimum of 3-4 days in the full time mode across 12 weeks per semester. There will also be a couple of practical sessions/site visits which are connected to a measurement exercise/assessment etc and this will be scheduled on the timetable and communicated at the beginning of the semester. Other than the scheduled contact time, there is an expectation that students are using the rest of the week for independent study/research.
The applied research dissertation takes place in the final two semesters of the course separately.
The Real Estate programme is delivered via a variety of lectures, seminars, computer tutorials, educational videos, practical exercises and study visits. Staff are encouraged to vary their teaching styles and facilitate small group teaching or break-out seminars as much as possible. Class sizes are kept small to ensure that students benefit from one-to-one support and tutorage. Modules are assessed through a mix/combination of coursework, examinations or practical exercises depending on the skills being assessed.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study. In Master’s degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
Ulster is one of most established UK educators of the real estate discipline, with over 40 years’ experience in developing successful property graduates. Recognised nationally for outstanding teaching, research, engagement with employers and student satisfaction, we will prepare you for a successful career in real estate.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2022-2023.
The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
High quality apartment living in Belfast city centre adjacent to the university campus.
Find out more - information about accommodation
At Student Wellbeing we provide many services to help students through their time at Ulster University.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
(a) Applicants must have gained an Honours or non-Honours degree from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
(b) an equivalent standard in a Postgraduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate or an approved professional or other qualification; and
(c) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent);
As an alternative to (a) or (b) and/or (c) in exceptional circumstances, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route.
Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.
This is a linked Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/Master’s programme. Students will register on the Postgraduate Certificate. Successful students will be permitted automatic progression through each stage of the programme to Master’s level. Alternatively, students who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma stages may exit the programme with the appropriate award.
Prior certificated or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final third of the credit value of the award at the highest level in respect of a Master’s award and at least 50% of the credit value of the award in respect of the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate award.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
With regard to transferring to and from the course and claiming exemption for completed modules, the University has developed a formal procedure, which allows recognition through the award of credit for previous modules that have been successfully completed. Therefore, modules passed in respect of other qualifications awarded by the University or by another university or other educational institution, or evidence from the accreditation of prior experiential learning, may be accepted as exempting candidates from part of the programme provided that they shall register as students of the University for modules amounting to at least the final 50% of the credit value of the award at the highest level.
In this section
Real estate professionals have a key role to play in advising multi-national companies, major financial institutions, property companies, banks, governments and other public sector organisations around the world. This may be transactional business advice on the purchase, sale, leasing and acquisition of commercial real estate or it may be professional advisory services including management of real estate portfolios to maximise the value of real estate as an asset class. Real estate players are able to creatively apply technical, legal and economic knowledge to deliver on a stakeholder’s property objectives and meet current business needs and future strategy.
Our MSc graduates enter a wide variety of employment including development and investment firms, banks and financial institutions, consultancy, agency, asset management, real estate research, education, housing management and the public sector.
The course also offers the opportunity to deepen student knowledge and developing research skills in the area of land and property with the support of the research expertise in the School. Graduates from the course also have opportunity to embark on further research at the Ph.D. level.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.
Visit Tuition Fees 2023/24 for more details on the price of this course.
Awards and Prizes
The top two students (and part time equivalent) qualify for the Real Estate Excellence Awards each year. These awards are sponsored by the real estate industry and are designed to provide recognition to the students for their hard work and commitment to their studies.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
