Real Estate Heriot-Watt University

Overview

This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS accreditation demonstrates a globally recognised standard of real estate education.  

• draw on a wide range of occupier, valuation, and investment appraisal techniques, 
• understand legal and planning frameworks in the context of the built environment, 
• comment on the economics and interplay with the real estate industry and professions, 
• have a critical and in-depth understanding of the nature of property investment decisions, including complex current and future issues at the forefront of both academic research and professional practice. 

The career-focused degree is suitable for individuals from a wide range of academic backgrounds, looking to develop the skills and knowledge required for a wide range of professional careers within commercial real estate, investment or development.

Your Student Experience  

Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics from The Urban Institute and the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) which sit within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. Our teams work closely and have links with industry, and practitioners are regularly invited as guest lecturers in most courses and advise on student research projects. 

Your Learning Environment

MSc Real Estate is taught though a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops including computing, debates, guest lectures and case study scenarios. The linking of theory and practice is prominent throughout this programme, as well as the focus on best practice. Learning is interactive, hands on and practical, combining educational and vocational aims.  

You will be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation, and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme. There is a focus on developing knowledge and skills relevant to professional practice which is assessed by a combination of individual reports, essays, and projects. The dissertation assesses higher level research skills, critical thinking and writing capabilities. 

Outside of the classroom, you can get involved with the Heriot-Watt Student Union by participating in student groups, becoming an Academic Rep, and joining societies.  

Societies provide a great opportunity to meet likeminded people, get involved in regular social and networking events, and gain insights into career prospects

Customise your learning

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time or part-time at our Edinburgh campus. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. The programme begins in September and will last 12 months full time or 24 months part time.  

You’ll take eight mandatory taught courses in semester one and semester two, and a research dissertation in semester three. Through your dissertation, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation on a topical issue within the field of real estate. You’ll be required to demonstrate your advanced understanding of the discipline in which the dissertation topic is located through effective formulation of a hypothesis, and the planning and execution of appropriate research to address the problem. You’ll do this effectively within the resources and time available thus increasing your analytical and organisational skills.  

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.

We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.

Employability

With strong professional links and a focus on up-to-date industry-relevant content, our Real Estate programme equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to quickly and effectively contribute to wide and varied roles within the real industry. Graduates of this course are highly sought after in the real estate industry. Graduates from this area have gone on to work within some of the largest and most prestigious international real estate organisations and firms. Real Estate Service Firms: Avison Young, CBRE, Cluttons, Cushman & Wakefield, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, DTZ, EYCO, Gerald Eve, Jones Lang LaSalle, Knight Frank, Rydens and Savills Investment Banks: Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Institutional Investors and Investment Funds: Aviva, Aberdeen Standard Investments, Legal & General Consultancy Firms: PWC and Deloitte Real Estate Investment and Development Companies: British Land, Cala Homes, Grosvenor and Land Securities We also have a proven track record in research, and a number of our graduates continue in research to complete PhD study.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) providing a fast-track pathway to becoming chartered. RICS accreditation demonstrates a globally recognised standard of real estate education.