International Real Estate - 2012 entry
MSc
Accredited by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Overview
The MSc International Real Estate (IRE) is part of a suite of three MSc Real Estate programmes, the sister programmes being the MSc Real Estate Management (REM) and the MSc Residential Real Estate (RRE - due to start in September 2013). All three programmes are viewed as a single cohort, so please only apply to one. UK students are encouraged to apply for any of the programmes whereas international students are advised to apply for the IRE. All three programmes are only available for full-time study. Given the intensity of the programmes, you are advised to live in or near Oxford.
The MSc International Real Estate has established itself as a premier postgraduate programme for students wishing to enter the property profession internationally. The programme meets the strong demand from the real estate profession for high-calibre postgraduate students from varying backgrounds. The MSc International Real Estate, whilst grounded in academic excellence, is a practice-based programme for students wishing to become chartered surveyors.
The current economic climate means a period of change in real estate markets. In areas such as Asia and Eastern Europe, where they are experiencing a period of uncertainty, commercial property firms are seeking staff with a sound understanding of markets and pricing. This programme provides the relevant core skills and knowledge to contribute in these challenging economic conditions.
The programme was set up in response to a worldwide need for real estate professionals with an international perspective. It aims to equip students with the skills and expertise to take advantage of career opportunities in overseas property markets. About half of our students tend to come from the UK with the other half coming from countries as diverse as China, Latvia, Greece, Japan, Russia and the USA.
This is a non-cognate conversion programme that is accredited by the RICS. It will prepare you for the challenges of entering professional practice and completing the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) to become a chartered surveyor.
Why Brookes?
The Department of Real Estate and Construction at Oxford Brookes has a strong reputation for teaching and research. Not only are the majority of the teaching staff at Brookes professionally qualified as chartered surveyors, planners, lawyers and accountants, each of them is dedicated to providing excellent teaching. The teaching team provides a strong professional emphasis to the core subjects underpinned by a rigorous academic approach. They are supported by external speakers, field trips and management support from the industry, provided by seven of the major international real estate consultancies who sponsor the programmes: CBRE, Cluttons, DTZ, GVA, Jones Lang LaSalle, Knight Frank and Savills.
The programme has enjoyed a very successful level of graduate employment during the economic upturn of the early 2000s. Even in today's downturn, our students are still finding employment in both the major international real estate consultancies and local firms. The programme is well respected in all areas of the industry and we also have alumni in real estate management companies, banks, financial institutions, government bodies and corporates.
In detail
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Course content
The MSc International Real Estate comprises eleven compulsory taught modules and a structured Applied Project/Dissertation. It will provide you with a thorough grounding in the skills and expertise necessary for a career in real estate. Each module is either 10 or 20 credits and the MSc qualification is 180 credits.
As programmes are reviewed regularly, the module list you choose from may vary from what is shown here.
Autumn semester
Valuation and Investment (10 credits – conjoint with MSc Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) starts with an introduction to the concept of investment and pricing and covers basic financial mathematics. The module looks at the role of pricing and valuation methods and the appropriateness of them against the wider economic and investment environment.
Real Estate Law I (10 credits – conjoint with MSc Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) introduces you to the law as it relates to real property management issues. It covers the law of obligations (both contractual and tortious) then moves on to cover basic aspects of the law of real property and the law of landlord and tenant.
Finance and Business Economics I (10 credits – conjoint with MSc Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) provides the framework for developing an understanding of the economic context in which a real estate organisation functions. This includes the national and international economic environment. The module discusses the role of markets, in particular the real estate market and the influences upon such key variables as costs and prices. It develops techniques to enable an organisation to analyse its situation and propose solutions.
Integrative Professional Practice (10 credits – conjoint with MSc Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) seeks to provide the application of estate management skills within a practical setting, and to develop a wide range of professional skills within the field of real estate management.
Construction and Sustainability (10 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) seeks to provide an understanding of the principles of construction in the context of maintaining a sustainable environment, and to develop a knowledge of the professional skills required to ensure sustainability in the built environment.
Applied Research (10 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) enables you to develop research skills to critically assess research reports and information in your professional life. The module will involve a series of case study examples from industry.
Spring semester
Planning and the Development Process (20 credits) - the processes involved in developing real estate in different global markets vary due to factors such as the legal, economic, political and environmental circumstances of each location. This module examines examples of real estate development and assesses the similarities and differences that exist between them.
Strategic Management of Corporate Real Estate (10 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) provides a framework for an analysis of the corporate environment and its effect on an organisation's real estate holdings, including both internal and external environments. The module develops strategic perspectives for real estate in a variety of organisational structures and environments. It also examines aspects of operational management and the impact of these on overall strategy.
Finance and Business Economics II (10 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) continues studies from Semester 1 looking at the role of markets, in particular the real estate market and the influences upon such key variables as costs and prices.
International Real Estate Investment (10 credits) builds on the Valuation and Investment module, studying property as an investment in a worldwide context including its increasing role in multi-asset, cross-border portfolios. It discusses the relevance of portfolio theory to property investment, and its influence on the use of diversification, risk analysis and performance measurement.
International Perspectives on Real Estate Law (10 credits) develops the themes of the Real Estate Law I and expands the elements of international, indigenous, laws related to real property. The acquisition, disposal, development, valuation and management of real estate around the world will always be subservient to the legal system of the state in question. People involved in these aspects of real estate must, therefore, be familiar with the law as it relates to real estate in any country where they are doing business.
Summer (vacation period)
The work required for this part of the course can be undertaken away from the university, with email and internet support.
Applied Project (50 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) will involve an individual structure project that is industry related. The project themes will vary according to the degree pathway (i.e. commercial, residential or international) but will include subjects such as Real Estate Investment, Real Estate Development, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Valuation and Professional Practice.
Real Estate Markets (10 credits – conjoint with MSc in Real Estate Management and MSc Residential Real Estate) is an umbrella module that will include, among other things, a series of guest lectures, field trips and industry events. In the summer there will be a residential field trip to a major European city.
The PGDip and PGCert are available as exit awards only; students need 120 credits for the PGDip and 60 credits for the PGCert.
Teaching, learning and assessment
The MSc in International Real Estate (IRE) is taught in tandem with its sister programme, the MSc in Real Estate Management (REM). Approximately 55% of the programmes are co-joint, with the remaining 45% being pathway specific.Learning methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project work and independent study.
Teaching is organised around the programme's component modules, involving a total of around 20 hours of teaching time per week over each 11-week teaching semester. The semester system requires examinations to be taken at the end of each teaching period. It is a very intensive course and students undertake a substantial amount of private study and project work.
Each module is assessed individually, through coursework, such as submission of reports and presentations, and/or formal written examination. The Integrative Professional Practice module draws together the different subjects taught on the course and enables students to develop strong interpersonal communication via a series of face-to-face role-plays.
In addition to the taught modules (see above) there is also an umbrella module, Real Estate Markets, which incorporates a number of field trips in the UK and Europe.
Quality
The results of the UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008 show that Brookes is a major player in international research in the fields of Architecture and the Built Environment, and Town and Country Planning. They also show that the built environment departments, which include the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) as a primary research vehicle, are ranked fifth in the country in terms of research power.
All modules are led by real estate academic staff in the Department of Real Estate and Construction, complemented by specialist contributions from other colleagues in the department and from visiting professional practitioners. The practical focus of the course is reflected in the diversity of staff who teach on it, and as research strengths in international land markets and sustainability.
In 2005, our built environment departments at Brookes were awarded a Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Research in collaboration with Warwick University, one of only 70 centres awarded nationally by the government across all UK universities.
Career prospects
Field trips
Free language courses for students - the Open Module
Free language courses are available to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying any course on our Headington (including Marston Road), Harcourt Hill or Wheatley Campuses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Key facts
CONTACT US
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Faculty
Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment
Department
Department of Real Estate and Construction
Course length
Full-time: 12 months
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
September 2012
UKPASS code
P031148
Apply / Entry reqs
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483904
rec-enquiry@brookes.ac.uk
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Entry requirements
International Real Estate is open to students who hold a good (normally 2.1 or above) undergraduate honours degree in a non-cognate discipline or equivalent international qualification. Applicants to this conversion programme are therefore welcome from any academic discipline (other than real estate).
English language requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Border Agency's minimum language requirements as well as the university's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Preparation courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for this course and also familiarise you with university life. You may also be able to apply for one student visa to cover both courses.
- Take our Pre-Master's course to help you to meet both the English language and academic entry requirements for your master's course
- Take our University English course to help you to meet the English language requirements of your master's course
How to apply
You apply for this course through UKPASS.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Fees / funding
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483904
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TUITION FEES
UK/EU
Full-time: £12,420
International
Full-time: £12,420
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
+44 (0)1865 483088
finance-fees@brookes.ac.uk
Scholarships and funding
The MSc in International Real Estate benefits from Scholarships from the JLL Educational Trust. Details will be sent to successful applicants once an offer has been made.
For general sources of financial support, see:
Oxford
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483904
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Why Oxford is a great place to study International Real Estate
As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities. The close proximity to London allows us to take advantage of its world class commercial property
Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.
In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.
Support
CONTACT US
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How Brookes supports postgraduate students
Supporting your learning
From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.
Personal support services
We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.
Research
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483904
rec-enquiry@brookes.ac.uk
RELATED COURSES:
Research excellence
The results of the UK-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 2008 show that Brookes is a major player in international research in the fields of Architecture and the Built Environment, and Town and Country Planning. They also show that the built environment departments, which include the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) as a primary research vehicle, are ranked fifth in the country in terms of research power.
