Masters by Research in Built Environment - MRes

This module develops critical thinking and analytical skills, enabling students to select appropriate research designs, methodologies, and methods for complex built environment issues.

This is developed through lectures, seminars, and independent learning to explore quantitative and qualitative techniques in preparation for structuring a research proposal and enhance key transferable skills.

This module is the core of the MRes in Built Environment, providing hands-on experience in advanced independent research. Core to the module, students develop expertise in research design, data analysis, and academic writing while addressing key sector challenges. The module enhances critical thinking and prepares student for doctoral study or industry roles.

This course is seeking to create effective, efficient and creative managers of construction projects from design right through to occupation. Innovation is a key aspect of this both in managers’ ability to conceive of new approaches but also to implement series of improvements and to cope with disruption. The module takes a ‘learning approach’ to innovating considering this at both the system level and the individual level. In this, it explores and challenges different conceptions of innovation and seeks to devise strategies for implementation and success within different contexts.

The aim of this module is to identify, apply and design data visualisations. The module provides you with the fundamental principles and practice-based activities needed to design data visualisations for both different contexts, and different types of data. More advanced visualisation concepts and tools for analysing multi-dimensional data and large data sets will also be examined and appraised.

This module explores various methods of project management within the context of construction. It explores the practical aspects of the development and construction process and in particular, those areas over which a Project Manager would expect to have some control. Themes such as specifications, programming, costing, stakeholder, risk and project control are addressed towards providing practical solutions. This module focuses on the practical skills needed for a project manager to effectively manage a construction project.

The programme seeks to develop the students with the knowledge and skills that will meet the challenges presented by change and innovation and provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds including international students, students with limited professional experience, as well as students looking for mid-career development in specialist areas related to quantity surveying. This programme will challenge the students to question their current thinking and the practices adopted in the face of a rapidly changing global construction industry, and develop their abilities to be innovative and creative in solving unique problems. This module is designed to provide students with the capability to take a 'whole life' approach to construction economics, including client, contracting and consulting roles in the industry through strong financial, analytical, interpretative and teamwork skills and to develop their risk awareness and the skills to analyse risks in the dynamic built environment.

This module focuses on the key surveying competencies of building pathology, inspection and measurement of land and property. The module draws on the various aspects of these competencies and their inter-relational qualities to develop a cohesive approach to the undertaking of a variety of surveys. You will be exposed to the range of data collection and data management techniques, the variety of surveys available for commercial and industrial property as well as evaluating the construction and condition of the building and the impact this might have on the viable use of the building. The need to collate information, integrate data from a variety of sources, reflect and formulate into a coherent professional report is a key employability skill.

The module introduces you to the legal framework that controls the use, occupation, management, acquisition and disposal of land and buildings, the complex nature of real property rights, and the obligations that go with those rights. The concepts and legal principles explored in this module are an essential underpinning of all professional activity in this field. The module also seeks to develop through the assessment some of the team working and time management skills required of a real estate manager in practice.

This module aims to provide a holistic view of the process and practice underlined by the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as one of the mechanisms for integrated delivery. Using case studies and real life scenarios, the Module commences by identifying drivers and rationale to identify the business case for BIM in any project.

The programme seeks to develop the students with the knowledge and skills that will meet the challenges presented by change and innovation and provides opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds including international students, students with limited professional experience, as well as students looking for mid-career development in specialist areas related to quantity surveying. This programme will challenge the students to question their current thinking and the practices adopted in the face of a rapidly changing global construction industry, and develop their abilities to be innovative and creative in solving unique problems. The module focuses on educating practitioner professionals and cognate graduates to focus on adding value through detailed analysis and appreciation of professional relationships, costing techniques, buildability, design economics and procurement set within the current IT technology.

The module enables you to understand the importance of working within the boundaries of established professional best practice. It focuses on the skills and competencies that are required in practice to meet professional standards and expectations. This includes ethics; stakeholder analysis; business presentation skills; negotiation; conflict management, team working; reflexivity etc. The module is designed to encourage action research and develop your capacity to address the changing needs of the built environment professions and the wider industry, giving you currency within the market.

This module is designed to provide you with an overview of the social, practical and legal issues affecting property management. As with other modules in this programme, it has a practical emphasis and is designed to mirror the experience of real estate professionals working in the sector. More specifically, you will learn about the key principles of landlord and tenant law, financial planning and portfolio management for both residential and commercial properties. Over the course of this module, you will need to demonstrate an understanding of the principles that apply to property management by discussing them with your colleagues and applying them to practical scenario-type situations. Problem-based study aims to develop general competencies based on the kinds of abilities and skills required of a professional practitioner. As teaching will often take place in workshops, you will be provided with an opportunity to understand property management in a “real-world” context and see how appropriate solutions are devised.