The course considers the following key study areas: Business Alignment and Planning explores the core drivers and objectives of a corporate business and how these impact on the provision of real estate and vice versa, analysing the relationship between business functions and corporate real estate solutions. Critical to any study of real estate is the ability to inspect and measure land and buildings; the course will allow students to understand the importance of accurate recording of building and site characteristics, an ability to assess the quality of location, design and specification. Analysis of the requirements and reasons for a property inspection, safety issues when undertaking an inspection, and documenting advice and recommendations arising from inspections. The course will also demonstrate the use of relevant data capture techniques (including lasers and tape measures) for the measurement of property in accordance with global standards, giving the students the ability to undertake the appropriate calculations and presentation of the data suitable for different purposes. Closely linked to inspection, Building Pathology develops an understanding of the likely defects and issues that may be encountered in typical surveying activities, students will be able to explain the cause and effects of varying types of failure and the steps required in reporting and remediation to ensure the continued integrity of the property. The course also considers the human element of real estate and the study of change management and space planning explores the development and execution of change programmes in relation to the use of real estate by an organisation. Students will develop knowledge and understanding of how workspace strategy is integral to business strategy, including drivers for change and how a requirement for change may be identified; the process by which the appropriate outcome for change may be decided upon and what this means for real estate in a company’s strategic plan. From the strategic perspective to the day to day aspects, the course will provide analysis of the functions associated with property management, this will allow students to understand how to apply the principles of property management in providing solutions to issues affecting both owners and occupiers of real estate. This includes; managing property from both a landlord and tenant perspective, thus being able to reflect and understand the key factors from each viewpoint. Understanding the key legal and regulatory requirements associated with multi-let property and/or managed property. Knowledge in relation to the issues relating to maintenance works, health and safety for occupiers and third parties, and service charges to reflect the running costs of property will be covered. The course will allow the student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of why and how sustainability seeks to balance economic, environmental and social objectives at global, national and local levels, in the context of land, property and the built environment, through analysis of the relationship between property and the environment, the criteria by which sustainability is measured in relation to operational buildings and the principles of how design, technology, construction and operational processes can contribute to sustainable building. Finally, research methodologies focuses on developing an understanding of how to collect and collate appropriate data, how to select appropriate methodologies and techniques for different research areas, the use of such to achieve agreed outcomes, dealing with sensitive data and the preparation of data for use in reports and papers.
