Surveying (Real Estate) MSc
2 Years | Distance Learning | Upcoming Intakes: January 2025, April 2025

In this module you will be introduced to the legal system and professional practice concepts that underpin the role of the surveying professional. You will initially study key professional competencies that form part of the RICS mandatory competencies and the CIH code of professional standards. You will then explore key principles contained within the English legal system as they pertain to practice such as legal reasoning and legislation.

Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:
* Professional competencies

o Professional ethics

o Professionalism and client care

o Communication and avoiding/resolving conflicts

o RICS competencies and continuing professional development

* Legal systems

o Introduction to the English legal system and legal study skills

o Contract Law and the formation of contracts

o Contract law and associated problems

o Land law

o Tort

o Landlord and tenant law

On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding that you have acquired will form part of the broader contextual framework that will prepare you for the further, detailed study of your chosen discipline.

You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of professionalism and ethics within practice.

In this module you will develop your understanding of the research process and research methods. You will engage with materials that will enable you to plan and design a research proposal for a subsequent research based study in your discipline area.

Aspects will include:
• Engagement with the purpose and process of research
• Identification and refining of appropriate research questions
• Critical awareness of research theory, approaches, methods and ethics, to inform effective research design
• Searching for, managing and evaluatingsources for inclusion in a literature review

You will develop your skills as autonomous, reflective learners in support of the process of completing the dissertation.

In this module you will design and implement a substantive research based investigation in order to address a self-selected, authentic work based or professional/practice related problem within your discipline area. This student-led, independent study allows you to synthesize and apply previous learning and experience, and build upon existing academic, research and personal skills.

You will learn how to effectively engage with the research process in an applied context. Aspects will include:
• Application of appropriate research questions
• Critical evaluation of existing literature and other sources to develop conceptual and theoretical frameworks for analysis
• Application of research theory and methods in implementing a piece of research in practice, including critical awareness of research theory, approaches, methods and ethics.
• Application of frameworks to provide an integrated critical analysis of theory and data to identify evidence based conclusions and recommendations where appropriate
• Project management

You will develop your skills as autonomous, reflective learners in the process of completing the research based study.

An in-depth and complex understanding of the chosen area of your professional discipline, and the skills developed in this module, will be demonstrated in a scholarly, academically rigorous research based study article The advanced knowledge gained through original data collection and analysis, and theoretically informed critical evaluation, will have the potential to contribute to the relevant disciplinary community of practice.

In this module you will learn about the strategic management and organisational development contexts that shape the built environment, its markets and professions You will critically review and evaluate the operating environment of built environment organisations through the application of strategic management and organisational development theory.

Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:
• Strategic Management
o The strategic management process
o The external and internal business environment
o Determining the organisations strategic position
o Moving the organisation on through strategic options and implementation
• Organisational Development
o The meaning and nature of organisations
o Organisation structure and culture
o Management and leadership within organisations
o Organisational development and change

On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding acquired forms part of the broader contextual framework for the study of your discipline specific professional pathway.

You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the use and evaluation of data; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of ethics and corporate social responsibility within businesses

In this module you will learn the fundamentals of construction technology in the context of a society’s aim of mitigating climate change. The syllabus includes the processes and technology of commercial and domestic construction, both current and the recent past to equip graduates with the knowledge to manage the construction, maintenance and development of property assets. The importance of the environmental impact of materials and the use of life cycle costing to enhance sustainability will supplement the teaching of low carbon construction technology and energy sources.

Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:

• Construction technology
o The structural elements, finishes and services found in typical low rise domestic construction.
o The structural elements, finishes and services found in commercial and industrial property.
• Low carbon design
o Site selection and building orientation
o Passive low carbon design in the domestic and commercial field
o Water conservation
o Green roof and wall applications
o Sustainable urban drainage
• Renewable energy applications
o Photovoltaic applications
o Biomass heating
o Ground and air source heat pumps
o Solar water heating
o Wind energy

On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding acquired forms part of the broader contextual framework for the study of your discipline specific professional pathway.

You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the use and evaluation of data; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility.

You will learn about the valuation of commercial property and develop a systematic understanding of the valuation process so that you are able to evaluate the valuation methods available and use them in complex situations, undertake valuations for commercial property for a variety of purposes and critically appraise their outcomes in accordance with latest academic and practice based research.

In this module you will study a range of topics including:-

• The valuation process and the role of a valuer
• Analysis of market data and its relevance to property valuation
• Valuation methodology and its application
• RICS Governance
• Modern methods of valuation and appraisal

Throughout this module you will develop academic and professional skills relating to the use and analysis of data, understand real estate markets and the impact on appraisal, effective communication and be able to advise clients/stakeholders in accordance with RICS governance.

There will be a series of papers delivered on the following key legal topics. This will complement your learning from Law and Professional Practice and is fundamentally important in learning the relationship between the legal principles of land and property and how the interrelate with being a surveyor:

• Marketing of residential and commercial property and heads of terms.
• Laws affecting the work of surveyors, in particular professional negligence and regulations affecting the sale of land.
• The process of the sale of land.
• Commercial Property leases including key landlord and tenant obligations.
• Landlord and Tenant Law, including the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
• Methods of adding value to real estate including re-gearing leases, rent reviews and tenant mix strategy.
• Leasehold exit strategies, including; surrender, break clauses, assignment and sub-letting.
• Asset Management

Throughout this module you will develop academic and professional skills relating to the appraisal of complex real estate markets and the effective management of property portfolios. You will develop skills of appraisal, effective communication and how to advise clients/stakeholders in accordance with RICS governance

You will learn about the planning and development process in an urban context focusing on the evaluation of projects including the planning context, viability assessment and development appraisal. The module aims to help you understand the complex social, economic and physical environment and market conditions within which planning and development take place. During this module you will develop your knowledge of the management of the planning process, the development process, acquisition of development sites and sources of finance for development. Through the module you will engage with real world case studies which will allow you to recognise the crucial role of effective planning and development practice to success development.. You will be introduce to the key features of sustainable urban development (SUD) which you will use to prepare and submit a critical review of a contemporary example of sustainable urban development (SUD).
Indicative syllabus
• Planning and development process – key planning policies at national and local levels.

• The fundamentals of Sustainable Urban Development (SUD)

• Urban development, master-planning, place shaping, development control and management

• Contemporary UK Planning policy: National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Guidance

• Negotiating planning and viability: planning conditions and obligations

• Market research, site evaluation, acquisition and disposal

• Urban regeneration, , heritage and conservation

• Real estate development finance and funding

You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the evaluation of policy; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility and appreciate social and ethical aspects of the planning and development process.