Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development Heriot-Watt University

Overview

Key Information

It has been designed to align your skills to the educational requirements of the industry’s professional bodies and upon completion, you will be able to work either in the public or private sectors, advising on the complexities of property development to occupiers, investors, developers, and planning authorities. 

During the master’s programme, you’ll build a deep understanding of the complex interactions and uncertainties of the development process, and learn the essential components of economics, valuation, planning, law, and regeneration and sustainability principles. You’ll develop an appreciation of the skills and tasks inherent in development projects, including community participation, satisfying the statutory planning considerations, undertaking the necessary financial appraisals, and achieving funding to make it happen.  

The career-focused master’s programme will set you up to pursue a career as a chartered development surveyor or planner with a specific focus in land and property markets. Such opportunities are available with a range of employers in the private and public sector, including local development and regeneration agencies. 

As a graduate you’ll be able to: 

• offer a holistic approach to sustainable development 
• demonstrate sophisticated intellectual and research skills proficient for a professional career 
• evaluate complex problems and formulate solutions associated with planning and development issues 
• have a respect for diversity and an appreciation of social inclusion as a goal of planning 

• have an awareness of the role that values and attitudes play in managing change in the built environment 

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.  

Your Learning Environment

MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development is taught though a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops including computing, debates, guest lectures and case study scenarios of properties and markets. 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 the course will last 12 months full time or 24 months part time.  

You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or desired career pathway through choosing one real estate management, investment analysis, or social sustainability course option in semester two.  

In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation through your research dissertation on a topical social science issue. 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, this course equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to quickly and effectively contribute to the success of their working environment. On completion of this course graduates will be able to have a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the property market context and the nature and theory of spatial planning and sustainable development. Graduates can work in a variety of roles in the private and public sectors, both in the UK and abroad or continue research through completion of PhD study.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).