Real Estate Management and Development MSc/Diploma

The real estate market encompasses a diverse range of residential, commercial and industrial land and property. Real estate professionals advise on a broad range of areas needed by occupiers, developers and investors. This programme provides students with the foundation knowledge and skills needed by future property professionals.

The Real Estate Management and Development postgraduate degree is designed to provide students with the essential learning components of economics, valuation, construction, investment, law, planning, management and development. It will build understanding of the complex interactions and dynamics of the property market, including a sound knowledge of valuation and appraisal techniques. Students will also gain an appreciation of the processes taking place within property transactions, development projects and investment funding.

Students tend to come from the real estate industry, or look to study this programme to pursue a career as a general practice chartered surveyor with a focus on commercial or residential property valuation, development, management or investment.

Most of our students study this programme following a first degree in real estate, property development, planning, geography, economics or finance.

With strong professional links and a focus on up-to-date industry-relevant content, our Real Estate programmes equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to quickly and effectively contribute to the success of their working environment.

Graduates of our Real Estate Management and Development programme are highly sought after in the property industry. Recent graduates have gone on to work within companies such as Standard Life and Scottish Widows, and for major consultancies Jones Lang LaSalle, CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield.

We also have a proven track record in research, and a number of our graduates continue in research to complete PhD study.

The MSc programme has professional accreditation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Heriot-Watt University is a leading centre for the education of commercial and residential property professionals in the UK.

This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family. As an IDL student you will not be required to attend any lectures, tutorials or other events at any of Heriot-Watt University’s campuses.

*An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.

This programme benefits from the expertise of research-active and industry-minded staff. Along with teaching staff, a number of honorary professors from industry guest lecture on the programme and advise on student research projects. These include Douglas Smith, Chair of CBRE Scotland, David Hunter of Hunter Advisers and Edward Trevillion of Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.

This programme is delivered by Heriot Watt University’s Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Environment and Real Estate. As a Real Estate and Planning postgraduate student you will be part of the Institute’s Graduate School, connecting you with staff, research associates and fellow students engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as affordability, housing markets and private renting; commercial property markets; urban economics; diversity and minority ethnic communities; homelessness and social exclusion; housing policy, management and governance and more.