Introduction
Land Economy (Rural Surveying/Rural Property Management) is concerned with the management of land and its resources, rural businesses and their associated activities and interests.
This is the only masters programme of its kind in Scotland, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and allows graduates to proceed to the Assessment of Professional Competence and full professional membership of the RICS.
This programme provides a range of knowledge and skills e.g. land management, public policy, law, planning, economics, and valuation, integrated to meet the future challenges facing landowners and land managers. As a rural land and business manager the student/graduate is concerned not only with practical land management but also with the financial, legal, planning, and policy contexts within which decisions are made and business interests managed. Further information about the job opportunities for Rural Surveyors is available here.
Understanding of traditional land management (agriculture, forestry, sporting) and emerging and topical issues (environmental and conservation activities, tourism projects, countryside access, diversification and renewable energy initiatives) is combined with an understanding of the business skills necessary for successful decision-making and rural business management. Graduates will be ideally suited to contribute to driving energy transitions relating to land management, in particular wind, water, biomass and geothermal.
How You'll Study
Highly qualified and motivated staff will teach you, including staff with considerable practical experience. A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used. All courses involve lectures, seminars and project work although the relative balance varies as you progress through the programme. Courses typically involve two or three hours of lectures. There are half-day and whole day (for example, to farms and Highland estates) and a 5 day residential field visit (to the Cairngorms) for general experience and in relation to specific assessments. These regularly involve leading practitioners in the field.
Learning Methods
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Field Trips
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Field Work
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Group Projects
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Individual Projects
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Lectures
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Research
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Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Courses are assessed via coursework and formal examinations. There are two dates of examinations: December and May, normally four courses examined at each time. As you progress greater emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge and skills, project work increases and examinations are fewer. Projects focus on local estates, rural businesses, and farms and are designed to incorporate the types of task expected in the workplace.
Entry Requirements
Motivation and understanding of this degree is an important factor in securing admission. Your personal statement/statement of purpose should focus on providing answers to the following questions:
- What practical experience/background do you have in rural land management and rural surveying?
- What specific aspects of rural land management are you interested in?
- Why do you want to study at the University of Aberdeen?
- How do you see a qualification in Land Economy helping your future career?
- Where would you like to work?
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth.
Those who do not meet the academic requirement but have a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience will also be considered.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
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CV
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an up-to-date CV/Resumé
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Degree Certificate
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a degree certificate showing your qualifications
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Degree Transcript
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a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
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Personal Statement
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a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
