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Real Estate

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: N230

Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026

Full time: 3 years

Part time: 6 years

Location: Headington

School(s): School of the Built Environment

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Overview

Some people love developing buildings, seeing a concept turn into reality. Some like to be on site, working to build something from nothing. Others like to manage a portfolio, handling problems and looking after investments. On our Real Estate course, you can explore every aspect of a building’s life, from planning through to demolition.

You'll meet with professionals and work on live case studies. Our residential field trips let you explore the great estates of London or potentially even properties abroad. You’ll meet with professionals and work on a project during your visit. Our forward-looking modules like Property Technology look into everything from automated valuations to virtual reality viewings.

Development. Lettings. Sales. Valuations. Investment. Construction. Utilities. Whichever area of property you’re interested in, we’ll help you develop the skills for a fulfilling career in residential or commercial real estate.

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Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Top 20 in the UK

    Real Estate is ranked 13th in the Guardian Construction, Surveying and Planning subject league ranking 2025.

  • Residentials with top firms

    You’ll experience field trips to exciting sites where you can work on a project and gain insight from the professionals working there.

  • Great links with industry

    We bring in alumni and other professionals for guest talks and panel debates, so you’ll always be on top of the latest developments.

  • Experienced teachers

    Many staff are members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and have previously been in practice.

  • Active community

    Join our friendly real estate student society or get involved in the student’s property monthly publication, with a circulation of 8,000.

  • Learn a language

    Our university-wide language programme is available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

  • Study abroad

    You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.

  • Accreditation(s)

    Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

    • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Course details

Course structure

You’ll start the course studying core subjects like valuation, planning and development, and property management. We’ll build up your knowledge of these subjects throughout the course and your lessons will get more advanced as you progress.

Your second year includes more specialist modules like Landlord and Tenant Law. By Year 3, you’ll have a strong understanding of a wide range of topics. 

Your dissertation in Year 3 is your chance to research a subject that you’re interested in and apply the skills you’ve learned throughout the course. Your third year also includes optional modules so you can specialise in an area that appeals to you.

It’s a very practical course so we’ll always provide lots of opportunities for you to apply your learning in real life. Many of our modules are sponsored by businesses so you’ll have multiple opportunities each year to win internships.

Three students working with laptops

Learning and teaching

Teaching methods include:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • group sessions
  • a virtual learning environment
  • individual study. 

We also invite practising property professionals from a range of organisations to give guest lectures.

Textbooks, workbooks and related materials support our teaching, including web-based learning resources. Staff will help you to develop your skills in specialist software as an integral part of the course.

A special feature of the course is the unique Professional Practice Test in your final year. You will complete a week's project work away from Oxford. You will study your chosen city and development projects within it. This tests your ability to apply your knowledge to real-world problems. 

This also gives you an insight to the Assessment of Professional Competence. Graduate surveyors must pass this to gain membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. It is usually taken after about two years in practice.

Assessment

Assessment methods include: 

  • coursework assignments
  • essays
  • class tests
  • oral presentations
  • group work
  • examinations
  • online assessment, for example online quizzes.

Field Trips

There is a four day field trip in the final year as part of the Professional Practice module to assimilate and apply the knowledge required to be a practising chartered surveyor.

Mandatory field trips come at no additional cost. 

Study modules

Teaching for this course takes place face to face and you can expect around 9 hours of contact time per week. In addition to this, you should also anticipate a workload of 1,200 hours per year. Teaching usually takes place Monday to Friday, between 9.00am and 6.00pm.

Contact hours involve activities such as lectures, seminars, practicals, assessments, and academic advising sessions. These hours differ by year of study and typically increase significantly during placements or other types of work-based learning.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Property and Management

    This is your introduction to the Real Estate industry, you’lll learn about different types of:

    • property development
    • current issues of the property industry
    • principles of business operations
    • nature of organisations including their structure and influence on property related decision making.  

    Also you’ll progress your understanding of the role of the private and public sector involved in the industry, financial mechanisms and provision of land. Through studying this module you’ll develop the professional skills and techniques which will be applicable to the profession.
     

  • Foundation Real Estate Law I (Contract)

    This is your introduction to the study of contract law. This module will help prepare you for your follow-on module Foundation Real Estate Law II. You will build a foundation of knowledge for the advanced legal specialisms you will later study.

    This module also helps you prepare for other real estate management modules with inherent legal perspectives, such as advanced valuation and professional practice tests.

  • Economics of Built Environment

    On this module you’ll develop the habit of reading critically from a variety of:

    • current affairs
    • news sources
    • property journals

    to gain information about economic activity, politics and policies at a national and international level. You will explore micro and macro economic concepts, set in the context of the built environment. You will gain an overview of different economic systems and will focus on the principles of market economics. You will also examine land, property and construction markets, also looking at market failure and the ideal role of government, and the cohesion of selected government policies, with reference to the property market. 

    You’ll build a solid knowledge of sustainability and how the built environment in terms of construction, investors and businesses are evolving environmental, social, government (ESG) policies to combat climate change. You’ll also finish the module prepared for your advanced Real Estate and Planning modules.
     

  • Professional Practice – Skills and Employability

    This module will help you build discipline-based and transferable skills that you will need during your years of study and then as professionals in the built environment or other sectors. You will progress your 

    • professional report writing
    • team work
    • Excel and Word skills 
    • numeracy. 

    This will be through a series of activities including a two day residential field trip to London which involves viewing both commercial and residential real estate from a range of perspectives.
     

  • Foundation Real Estate Law II (Tort)

    This module builds on your Foundation Real Estate Law I module and introduces you to the areas of the law of tort. You will focus on

    • negligence
    • professional liability 

    under the law of tort and on the property torts, affecting residential and commercial property, including trespass nuisance and occupiers liability. 

    This module will help prepare you for other real estate management modules with inherent legal perspectives, such as advanced valuation and professional practice tests.
     

  • Introduction to Valuation

    You will examine valuation techniques employed in assessing market value of different types of property. You’ll build an understanding of why valuations are required, and the concept of price, value and worth. You will study the basic investment concepts and develop your knowledge of financial mathematics, such as the use of formulas to calculate present and future values, the concepts of time value of money, cash-flows and income streams.  

    You will also progress your skills and knowledge in the collection and analysis of comparable data required for a valuation and the principal factors affecting property valuation.
     

  • Introduction to Building Construction and Practice

    You’ll look at the construction of buildings in the context of performance requirements for each building element, including the important interaction of sustainability on choice of building form and materials. You will also study the key stages of the design and construction process from the initial desire to develop a site, appointment of the professional team, procurement methods and selection of contractors.

    You’ll gain a key understanding of the role that regulations play in shaping the design of buildings and the methods in which they are constructed. This includes recognition of the diversity of user needs and the distinction between legal requirements and ethical concerns. Also you’ll develop your technical drawing skills through the use of SketchUp and other digital representation tools applied to an extended project.
     

  • Introduction to Spatial Planning

    Your introduction to spatial planning and you’ll look at some of the challenges currently faced by the system. You’ll be taught in a workshop style, where you’ll work on problem-solving exercises to address issues pertinent to the:

    • submission of planning applications
    • development of urban renewal and renaissance
    • sustainable development/climate change
    • heritage protection
    • countryside and urban design policy
    • sustainable communities’ policies. 

    You’ll look at the relationship between property and planning with an examination of recent controversial planning proposals and build your knowledge of how major property companies add value through place management. 
     

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Land Law

    Gain understanding of the land law system which applies in England and Wales. On this module, you will look at how freehold land is acquired and how the rights of people with interests in land are protected when land changes hands on a sale. Then you’ll examine how a purchaser ensures the land it buys is suitable for its purposes from a legal perspective and free from onerous or unwanted legal obligations.  

    Through this module you’ll build the skills that supports the day-to-day work of non-legal professionals working in the real estate sector.
     

  • Real Estate Accounting and Finance

    This module will give you a basic level of financial literacy. You’ll look at the fundamental concepts, principles, analytical methods and tools used for making investment and finance decisions for stocks, shares and commercial real estate assets. 

    You’ll build on your knowledge and develop your understanding of the financial context of real estate and investment alternatives. Learning how to interpret company accounts, which can be applied to the comparison of:

    • alternative investments 
    • simple investment appraisal,

    helping you gain sight of the profits method of valuation. 

    You’ll be able to recognize the unique features of real estate that distinguish it from alternative investments in gilts and equities. You’ll build your knowledge of Investment decision making and methods for reflecting risk and uncertainty along with real estate capital markets and the role of the financial system in the economy. 
     

  • The Construction and Appraisal of Real Estate

    Focus on the advanced study of methods of construction of commercial, industrial and larger residential buildings, the related statutory requirements and the techniques and procedures adopted by Chartered Surveyors in the appraisal of buildings.  

    You will also examine the formulation of maintenance programmes, the economics of building design and environmental issues and building services.  Successful completion of this module will provide you with the prerequisites required for your advanced Real Estate Management modules.
     

  • Planning and Development Practice

    This module will help you to build a critical understanding of a number of current topics in Planning and Development Practice. You will be involved in a series of professional debates and grow your knowledge of evidence that is relevant to planning and development practitioners. 

  • Landlord and Tenant Law

    Study the law governing the relationship between a landlord and tenant in the property market building on concepts established in your previous legal modules.  You’ll gain an understanding of the leasehold system in England and Wales and study the law affecting leases. You will consider the differing and competing requirements of landlords and tenants and build your skills to advise on lease terms.

  • Valuation and Investment

    Building on your knowledge of freehold, leasehold and tenanted properties, and to conduct property investment analysis. You’ll examine

    • property yields and required returns
    • leasehold valuation and capital recoupment
    • the impact of incentives on value, compulsory purchase compensation
    • and the depreciated replacement cost method for valuing properties without active markets.

    You’ll also look at the discounted cash flow techniques, i.e. net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR), and their application in valuation in much more depth as well as the residual appraisal method for valuing development land. 
     

  • Professional Practice – Development and Employability

    On this advanced module you’ll have the opportunity to integrate the disparate knowledge and experience that you’ve already gained during your previous semesters by completing a project which focuses on planning policy and property development. 

    You will develop an understanding of, and ability to collaborate with, other disciplines which are relevant to your future careers. With this element of coursework you’ll collaborate with students from other subjects within the School of the Built Environment.

    You will get to use of a variety of software including, 

    • Pro Dev
    • Digimap 
    • Google SketchUp 

    as well as enhancing your experience of industry databases such as 

    • SPONS pricing database
    • EGi
    • and CoStar.

    Also you’ll have the opportunity to attend careers events and CV writing and interview and assessment workshops to help build your employment skills.
     

  • Research Methods

    Developing your critical understanding of:

    • principles behind different research strategies and designs.
    • quantitative and qualitative methods and their strengths and shortcomings.
    • approaches to gathering, analysing, and integrating different types of data.
    • ethics of research and duty of care to research participants.

    You will also build your critical awareness and a core understanding of research methods in order to promote the design and delivery of effective research projects, both in an academic context and within the realm of professional practice. 
     

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation

    This module is reserved for your final complete academic year of study, and it offers an exciting opportunity.

    Here, you'll have the chance to delve into a specific area of the property market that truly interests you. It's all about hands-on research and producing a well-structured report. You'll start by reviewing existing literature, developing research questions, and crafting a robust methodology to gather the data you need.

    You'll present your findings following academic conventions, honing the skills necessary for your future career. This process turns you into a critical reviewer of reports, just like the ones you'll study as a qualified practitioner. You'll also become proficient in generating and evaluating new information – something you might do regularly in your professional life.

    Successful completion of this module is a requirement for earning an honours Real Estate degree. So get started on this exciting journey of research and discovery.
     

  • Management of Property and Corporate Real Estate

    This module will give you a hands-on understanding of what property managers face in the real estate industry today, whether they work in the private, public, or corporate sectors. We're going to get practical and strategic here, developing your skills as a chartered surveyor. You’ll explore the role of property managers and how it fits into the broader real estate landscape, including Asset Management and Investment Management. You'll gain insight into management objectives and learn how commercial lease terms and statutory regulations come into play.

    You'll also get a taste of managing revenue and real estate asset costs. We'll analyse rent collection methods and delve into estate and service charge administration. It's all about preparing you to effectively manage real estate assets, especially for corporate organisations. You’ll also use a framework for analysing corporate real estate resources and how they impact an organisation's success.
     

  • Professional Practice Test

    Study the practical world of real estate management. We're here to guide you through a variety of tasks and challenges. Our main goal is to bring together all the different aspects of commercial and residential real estate management. You'll learn how to apply this knowledge in a professional and ethical way, which is essential in the real world.

    This module will put your multi-disciplinary understanding and professional skills to the test. You'll coordinate responses to diverse and complex tasks, just like you would in a real professional setting. It's all about preparing you for the pressures of the job.

    You will build on the skills and theories you've developed in earlier modules. It's your chance to get ready for the graduate recruitment process and to have a detailed reference as you near the end of your degree. Think of it as a stepping stone to your professional practice.
     

  • Applied Valuation

    In this module, we'll explore how to value both regular commercial properties and specialised properties, each serving various purposes.

    When it comes to valuing typical commercial properties like industrial spaces, offices, and retail properties, we'll look at what makes them unique. We'll also delve into more advanced topics like rent reviews, lease renewals, securitization, and compensation for qualifying improvements under the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act.

    We'll also cover specialised properties, which can be quite diverse, including residential homes, pubs, hotels, and leisure properties. To make sure everything is up to professional standards, we'll take a close look at the relevant RICS valuation standards.

    Throughout the module, you'll learn how to apply valuation principles to the specific characteristics of these properties, helping you solve real-world valuation challenges. It's all about practical problem-solving.
     

  • Development Process and Appraisal

    Build on what you've learned in the Planning and Development Practice module, we'll now dive into a critical question: are projects that meet planning policy standards truly feasible and can they move forward in the development process?

    This involves understanding and managing various risks. These risks can come from the site itself, the rules and regulations, and economic factors, both internal and external. We also need to consider the financial side of things. 

    You'll learn how to prepare a detailed development appraisal. You'll explore the funding requirements using industry-standard software and evaluate the risks through sensitivity analysis. You’ll be ready to tackle real-world development challenges.
     

Optional modules

Choose two modules from those below:

Property Technology

Explore the world of PropTech! It's all about how technology is revolutionising real estate. We're talking big data, analytics, mobile computing, and artificial intelligence. These innovations are not just coming from established players but also from small, game-changing startups.

You’ll look into the core technologies and explore how they impact the real estate industry from a technical perspective. You'll also learn about the effects on the property profession, the built environment, and society as a whole. You’ll also engage with the ethical discussions surrounding data security, privacy, and artificial intelligence. It's all about understanding the opportunities and risks that technology brings.

By the end of this module, you'll have a solid grasp of the vast tech ecosystem that's reshaping the property profession. You'll understand how technology is changing the competitive landscape for businesses and gain the tools to analyse both the threats and opportunities it presents.

ESG in the Built Environment

This module focuses on the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) fremework in the built environment and its potential to drive positive change.

Through lectures, case studies, guest talks, and independent study, you'll explore how ESG strategies affect:

  • Carbon footprint
  • Achieving "net zero" energy and resource use
  • Effective waste management
  • Climate change policies
  • People and human rights
  • Community engagement
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Health and safety policies.

You'll also delve into ESG policies, corporate responsibility, and governance within companies, reviewing examples of leadership and management quality, internal controls, executive compensation, board diversity, transparency, and ethical practices.

ESG is gaining prominence among investors and stakeholders seeking sustainable and ethical practices. Companies prioritising ESG are often more attractive to investors and may perform better financially in the long run.
 

Real Estate Investment

You'll look into the fascinating world of property investment within the broader context of the economy and financial markets. You’ll also explore fund management for investment properties, covering topics like:

  • valuation 
  • financing
  • investment theory
  • portfolio strategy
  • risk analysis
  • performance measurement
  • and sustainability.

You'll get hands-on experience in using spreadsheets to apply discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques. This will help you solve real-world property portfolio management challenges, like figuring out capital structure and measuring performance. It's a practical and engaging journey into the world of property investment and management.
 

Leading and Managing Change

The module aims to develop critical thinking in evaluating the application of change management theory and normative practices to challenges taking place in organisations and wider society. The literature used in the module draws on a breadth of sources including the mainstream and contemporary literature on change management. It aims to increase personal reflexivity and self-awareness. 

After completing this module, you will have an understanding of the nature of change and key theories, frameworks, principles and practices relevant for the management and leadership of change. You'll be able to evaluate critically the actions taken by those leading change. You will be better prepared to lead and manage change in your own managerial careers and have an increased awareness of your own potential for ongoing personal development in leading and managing change.
 

Residential Property

You can focus on agency work, professional services, or development within it. But like any market, the residential sector is evolving rapidly. Will home ownership rates in the UK stay the same, or will the demand for high-end rentals change the game? What global trends and innovations can the UK residential market embrace, and where are the growth opportunities, especially with build-to-rent and student accommodations gaining prominence?

In this module, you'll delve into the world of residential property, focusing on emerging sub-markets. Exploring how property specifications and appearances impact values and how agents market properties locally, nationally, and globally, whether through traditional or online means. 

Additionally, you'll get a taste of residential development consultancy, which includes designing units to cater to end-users and implementing value engineering principles. It's all about understanding and navigating the world of residential real estate.
 

Advanced Development

Building upon what you've learned in the Development Process and Appraisal module, you'll now explore the multifaceted role of a development manager in bringing a successful project to life. 

This will take you deeper into the intricacies of agreements crucial to any development project. You'll dive into understanding these agreements with contractors, landowners, and various other stakeholders. Moreover, you'll gain a more profound knowledge of development appraisals and their significant role in navigating the complex planning negotiations required to obtain consent, especially for residential developments. 
 

Project Management for Development

In this module, we'll dive into the principles of project management in the context of property development. It's all about real-world application.

We'll take you through a case study, tracking a development project from the very beginning to the finish line. We'll focus on how to manage costs and minimise risks effectively. You’ll explore the importance of site appraisal when deciding whether to buy a property for development. 

We'll also discuss different methods of procuring construction work. This includes a close look at risk allocation and how to maintain design flexibility. You'll even learn how to budget for development and keep an eye on project costs.
 

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Careers

We like to think of this as a business degree with a property angle. So whatever life throws your way, you’ll have the skills to thrive. From day 1 we will help you build the skills and confidence you need to stand out from the crowd and maximise your employability. We will also bring out the entrepreneur in you if that's what you want. 

Most of our graduates decide to work at property businesses like:

  • Knight Frank
  • CBRE
  • Savills
  • Cushman & Wakefield
  • JLL
  • Montagu Evans.

Some students choose to find roles in utilities or at niche players, at house builders like Berkeley Group, or in the public sector with organisations like Network Rail. Some even start their own businesses.

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors so you can work towards qualified status. We’ll help you prepare throughout your time here. You can also choose to study one of our Royal Town Planning Institute or Chartered Institute of Building postgraduate courses to gain accreditation from two professional bodies. 

The Oxford Real Estate Management Society (OBREMS) is very involved in the course. Many of our alumni act as mentors to students, so you could gain useful contacts within the industry who can help with job applications and building your network. The mentoring scheme is particularly beneficial for those who have no or few existing contacts in the property industry.

Related courses

Related course
Built Environment Foundation
Related course
Property Development and Planning
Related course
Urban Design, Planning and Development
Related course
Sustainable Urban Design and Planning
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Entry requirements

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 120

A Level: BBB

IB Points: 31

BTEC: DDM

Contextual offer

What is a contextual offer?

UCAS Tariff Points: 96

A Level: CCC

IB Points: 28

BTEC: MMM

Further offer details

We welcome applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, and from mature students.

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process


Full time Home (UK) applicants
Apply through UCAS


Part time Home (UK) applicants
Apply direct to the University


International applicants
Apply direct to the University

Full time international applicants can also apply through UCAS

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,950
Home (UK) full time
£9,535
Home (UK) part time
£1,190 per single module
International full time
£16,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module
International full time
£15,950
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£9,535
Home (UK) part time
£1,190 per single module
International full time
£16,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

For further information please see our 2025-26 tuition fees FAQs.

Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

Oxford Brookes Bursary for home students Undergraduate maintenance loans for part-time UK students Undergraduate maintenance loans for full-time UK students Undergraduate tuition fee loans for UK students Oxford Brookes Bursary Scheme

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Part-time study

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.