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Real Estate - BSc (Hons)

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Want to enter the exciting world of property? Discover our BSc (Hons) Real Estate course. This degree is for you if you are interested in the study of the built environment and in the acquisition, disposal, management and valuation of land and buildings....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time
  • Location City Centre
  • School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment

Overview

Want to enter the exciting world of property? Discover our BSc (Hons) Real Estate course. This degree is for you if you are interested in the study of the built environment and in the acquisition, disposal, management and valuation of land and buildings.

This real estate course has been developed in the UK in accordance with the requirements of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the leading international professional body for surveying, our course meets the needs of potential employers in the public, private and third sectors. You will complete your undergraduate degree with the most current and relevant insights.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

You will gain a detailed understanding of real estate, alongside learning to make an expert analysis of the processes of its ownership, development, occupation, valuation and management. You’ll also examine economics and finance, property valuation and management, development, construction, urban planning and law, ensuring you are equipped with the attributes you’ll need for a successful career.

The course integrates technological, financial, legal and management issues, and you will connect the theories and practice of real estate to a range of real-life case studies, helping you understand the complex world of property.

 We will prepare you for a career in real estate, developing your collaborative skills and ensuring you are not only able to practise effectively within the global real estate industry, but that you are also sensitive to the needs of the diverse cultures that you come into contact with in your work.

Especially relevant for the would-be chartered surveyor, this course offers a detailed study of the built environment alongside an expert analysis of the acquisition, disposal, management and valuation of land and buildings.

Benefiting from our staff's close links with industry, the course thoroughly prepares you for the enormously varied work of a general practice surveyor.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Why Choose Us?

  • Accredited course - Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which ensures our course remains fresh and relevant, as well as providing key industry links and insight.
  • Subject league table - We are 6th for Land and Property Management in the Complete University Guide 2023
  • Employable Graduates - Our graduates have progressed into roles with companies such as; IP Global, Lambert Smith Hampton, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield. Read Tsvetomira’s story.
  • State-of-the-art facilities -You'll be studying at Millennium Point, with access to £6.5 million facilities. You will also benefit from high quality equipment and regular site visits which give you a close-up view of professional practice and an industry perspective on your studies.
  • Scholarships - You might be eligible for grant funding of up to £9,500 towards your degree, through the Built Environment Scholarship.

    Open Days

    Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. You'll get the chance to learn about courses in subject talks, chat to students and explore our campus and accommodation. We'll post you a detailed event programme to help plan your day and find your way.

    Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023

    Book your place

    Entry Requirements

    These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.

    All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

    We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

    Essential

    112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level

    Level 2 qualifications

    GCSE

    GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

    Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level)

    See level 3 entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details.

    Scottish National 5

    English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

    Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications

    A level and Advanced VCE

    • BBC / 112 UCAS points

    T Level 

    • 120 UCAS tariff points - grade Merit or above
    • All T level subjects are accepted for this course

    Access to HE Diploma

    • Pass with 60 credits, 45 of which should be at Level 3, remaining 15 from level 2 or 3. With a minimum of 12 credits achieved from any units awarded at merit or distinction.
    • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma
      (2016 – present)
    • Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
      (2010 - 2016)
    • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
      (2002 – 2010)
    • DMM / 112 UCAS points
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
      (2016 – present)
    • Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
      (2010 – 2016)
    • BTEC Level 3 National Certificate
      (2002 – 2010)
    • 112 UCAS points
    • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
    • Pearson BTEC National Foundation Diploma (2016 to present)
    • Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
    • 112 UCAS points
    • Considered with one A-level or an equivalent level 3 qualification
    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
      (2016 – present)
    • Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
      (2010 - 2016)
    • BTEC Level 3 National Award
      (2002 - 2010)
    • 112 UCAS points
    • Considered with two A-levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification(s)

    Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate - Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

    • 112 UCAS points
    • Considered with two A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)

    Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Core (awarded until 2016) ESW/KS Combined component

    • 112 UCAS points
    • Considered with two A-levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)

    International Baccalaureate Diploma

    • Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall
    • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level) from the IB Diploma will be accepted
    • For students who do not already hold a GCSE in English Language at Grade C/4 or above Standard Level English Language (not literature) English A - Grade 4 or above or English B - Grade 5 from the IB will be accepted.

    Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)

    • Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in four Higher level subjects. This must include Maths and English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level (minimum grade H5/D1).
    Other qualifications

    If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS.

    Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.

    Additional information for EU/International students

    Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

    In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

    IELTS

    6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands

    If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses.

    Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.

    International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses).

    1. For students who complete the full IB Diploma: a total of 14 points or above from three Higher Level Subjects.

    2. Students who do not complete the IB Diploma will be considered on the basis of their IB Certificates.

    Students must have grade 5 in Maths (Standard Level)
    AND
    English Group A - Grade 4 or above,
    OR
    English Group B and Ab Initio - Grade 5

    Country-specific entry requirements and qualifications.

     

    International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).

    Additional Requirements

    As part of the application process you will be invited to attend an applicant visit day where you will undertake a short one-to-one interview with an academic member of staff. This is your chance to show us how passionate you are about the subject and it will help us make a decision on your application.

    This will provide you with more information about the School and your course. In addition, it will give you a chance to meet and our staff and students to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be a student here.

    Fees & How to Apply

    Please select your student status to view fees and apply
    • UK Student
    • International Student

    UK students

    Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

    Award: BSc (Hons)

    Starting: Sep 2023

    • Mode
    • Duration
    • Fees
    • Study Year (2023/24) £9,250

    Professional Placement Fees

    The tuition fee for your first year of study at the university is shown here. Full-time courses with a Professional Placement also incur a fee during the placement year. The fee for your placement year will be £1,850, which is equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee.

    International students

    Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

    Award: BSc (Hons)

    Starting: Sep 2023

    • Mode
    • Duration
    • Fees
    • Full Time
    • 3 years
    • £13,980 in 2023/24

    Access to computer equipment

    You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

    Printing

    You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

    Access to Microsoft Office 365

    Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

    Key Software

    You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

    Key subscriptions

    Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

    Memberships

    Free student membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is provided on this course.

    Specialist Software

    Free access to industry software such as CoStar, EGi and iSurv to keep up-to-date with latest trends and news.

    Project materials (mandatory)

    This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. You'll be expected to provide the materials for use in your individual major projects; costs will vary depending on the materials selected.

    Excess printing (optional)

    Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

    Books (optional)

    Some modules may suggest that you purchase a key textbook. All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. Many students choose to purchase a copy.

    Placement expenses (optional)

    If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

    Accommodation and living costs

    The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

    Field trips (optional)

    This course may involve local site visits relating to essential module coursework where you would pay transport costs to and from the site. This course may also include the option of additional trips to complement your studies; these would be at extra cost.

    Part-time study

    The part-time route on this course is available for advanced entry, from year 3 onwards. If you already hold – or are working towards – an HNC or HND in a related subject, you may be eligible to study this course part-time. To find out more, visit our part-time study webpages.

    Guidance for International students

    There are three ways to apply:

    1) Direct to the University

    You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

    2) Through a country representative

    Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

    3) Through UCAS

    If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

    You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

    Personal statement

    UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*

    The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

    Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

    • Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
    • Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
    • Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
    • School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
    • Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

    You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

    Worried about Personal Statements?

    If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.

    Get personal statement advice

    *Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.

    Course in Depth

    First Year

    In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

    Second Year

    In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

    Professional Placement (Optional)

    In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Real Estate with Professional Placement Year you must successfully complete the following module.

    Final Year

    In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

    Download course specification

    Download now

    Course Structure

    In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the built environment, learning about building technology and innovation, valuation and economics, and the fundamentals of property law.

     In year two, you will build on your previous learning and learn about development, planning and data management, as well as enhancing your skills in property management.

     For your final year, you will study more detailed and complex valuation, property investment and corporate property management, supporting your final research project and dissertation.

     Assessment takes the form of examinations, essays, written assignments, posters, oral presentations and an e-portfolio, as well as workshops, online quizzes and more. Learning on the course will come from classroom sessions such as lectures, workshops and small group discussions. 

    This course is accredited by the following organisations:

    The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
    Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

    The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Successful completion of the course will lead to Professional Membership after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). 

    Employability

    Enhancing your employability skills

    We are committed to practice-led learning and teaching, ensuring that you get vital experience of the world of work through relevant activities. These could include voluntary work, live projects, problem solving, case studies, site visits and opportunities to interact with visiting professionals.

    The University also has its Graduate+ programme, which is an extracurricular awards framework that will enhance the subject-based skills you’ll develop on the course with broader employability skills. Graduate+ will help you with CV writing, crafting personal statements and interview techniques, as well as helping you to source jobs.

    International

    Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

    The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

    Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

    Facilities & Staff


    Our Facilities

    The facility our students value most is not actually on campus, but is the location of the campus in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside opposite the new High Speed 2 station construction, and minutes from dozens of fascinating live projects within the city centre.

    Birmingham as it changes constantly on our doorstep really is our ‘living lab’. By simply looking out the window of our classrooms you’ll be able to witness live projects as they’re happening around us. You’ll constantly be inspired by dozens of fascinating case studies just from walking from the station to the campus.

    The facilities on offer to our students reflect the work environment you will enter as you start your career. Learn more about what we have to offer below.

    Software

    Recognising the rapidly evolving digital built environment we are constantly reviewing software to best fit with the professions of the future.

    Autodesk Accredited Centre Status, we use the latest integrated building modelling software across undergraduate courses, seeing Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying students engaging in cross discipline information management projects modelling real life experience. Accredited Centre status allowing all students licence to download this software, and making available additional qualifications and certification to those demonstrating expertise and dedication to exploring their own and the limits of the Autodesk environment.

    At course level, students engage with the latest and most appropriate software for their future professions. Real Estate students with CoStar, the leading industry database supporting valuations. Quantity Surveyors using Blue Beam, Revu and QS Pro, and along these Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers use Synchro and Navisworks for 4D and CostX for 5D work. For Building Surveying and Architectural Technology routes, visualisation is important where Enscape, V-Ray Lumion and Sketch-up are available.

    Built Environment Space in Millennium Point

    The Built Environment Space in Millennium Point is available to all students with a huge resource of software-equipped laptops for loan on campus. For off campus working, much of the software we use comes with free student licences and all students will have access to the Windows Virtual Desktop, allowing access to our range of software from anywhere where the internet is available.

    The Studio Space that we've created in Millennium Point is an open workspace where students can work on their design projects. We have all student work and examples that will change every week or month depending on what stage of a project we're at. And it's an open space for working on projects.

    This is where our Architectural Technology students and our Building Surveying students in particular, spend a lot of their time.

    Concrete and Hydraulics Labs

    Our dedicated Civil Engineering facilities include a Hydraulics & Structures lab Concrete & Geotechnics lab as well as a bending rig.

    The swollen concrete lab and hydraulics lab are the heart of our Civil Engineering course, where we have a range of test equipment. This is where our students can carry out experimental work as part of their course, either as part modules or using those labs to work on their final year project.


    Built Environment facilities

    Our staff

    Mr Timothy Lee

    Associate Professor in Property Investment

    Tim ran his own property firm on the Isle of Wight for over ten years and during that time completed his MSc Real Estate. Following that he secured funding for his PhD at Reading University where he explored the challenges of making energy efficiency improvements to the housing stock.

    More about Timothy

    Peter Wood

    Senior Lecturer

    Peter is a pracademic, having worked in industry for over 25 years at board level in the real estate investment sector. He latterly specialised in Family Office consulting for UHNWIs (Ultra High Net Worth Individuals) and still retains a presence on a number of advisory committees for such. His teaching focuses on the practical...

    More about Peter

    Professor David Higgins

    Professor of Real Estate

    Dr David Higgins is the Professor of Real Estate, Birmingham City University and past Visiting Professor, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Xiamen University, China. David has worked in both industry and academia in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and China. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has...

    More about David

    Dr Hazel Ann Nash

    Senior Lecturer in Planning and Property Law

    Hazel is an experienced practitioner, having worked in private industry and central and local Government planning positions. She has previously worked for a variety of rural and urban local authorities in Development Management as well as in the Planning Policy Division of the Welsh Government where she led on the revision of Technical Advice Note...

    More about Hazel

    Amanda Mundell

    Senior Lecturer

    Amanda is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and the Built Environment and teaches on post-graduate and undergraduate programmes. Her teaching experience is supported by 2:1 law degree (specialising in Planning and Environmental Law), a post-graduate professional qualification (Legal Practice Course), along with 15 years...

    More about Amanda