Real Estate (Commercial Option), MSc
Introduction
Open for September 2025 applications.
A vocational Masters, open to students from any background, any discipline who wish to kick start a career in the chartered surveying profession - valuation, property investment, development. Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for worldwide recognition.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
The degree is a 12 month full time ’conversion’ programme for students with a wide range of first degrees who want to fast-track a career path into the real estate profession.
With proven academic credentials, this Master's degree has been running at the University of Aberdeen for over 20 years, underpinned by our world-renowned strengths in valuation, property investment, economics and finance. Combining academic rigour with the professional edge, the degree has become highly regarded by employers throughout the world.
The main emphases of the programme are on;
- economics, finance, business and quantitative skills
- institutional and legal factors and the policy environment of real estate
- property management, market analysis, investment and development
- analysis and problem solving in a strategic business context
The Real Estate Group, based within the School, is internationally recognised for its research excellence in this specialist field – and as such gives our students the great advantage of accessing a wealth of powerful data.
What You'll Study
- Stage 1
-
Compulsory Courses
- Property Law and Institutions (BU5032)
-
15 Credit Points
This module aims to examine the legal and professional environment of property. The module introduces key concepts from property law to explain the framework within which property can be held, used and traded. Planning law and policy is considered as part of the regulatory system through which land use and development are promoted and/or controlled.
The course focuses on Scots law and institutions, but students have the opportunity, where appropriate, to draw upon their own comparative perspectives.
This course covers the legal basis of land tenure; land registration; property ownership; landlord and tenant relationships; obligations and restrictions, and planning.
- Valuation and Finance (BU5035)
-
15 Credit Points
The course introduces the mathematics of valuation and investment and considers the principles underlying basic valuation and investment formulae. The distinguishing characteristics of the bond, equity and property market are critiqued. The five property valuation methods are discussed via a series of lectures supplemented by tutorials/workshops in which valuation problem-solving tasks are discussed, with an emphasis on the investment method of valuation. While the focus is on real estate, the course seeks to raise awareness of the range of investment opportunities. The course seeks to develop good numeracy and analytical skills.
- Real Estate Economics (BU5036)
-
15 Credit Points
This course aims to provide an overview of basic economic models and recent developments regarding the working of real estate markets and urban land markets. The course is intended to enable students
i) To examine real estate as a set of linked markets, functionally divided between use, investment and development
ii) To understand the dynamics of specific types of real estate markets and appreciate real estate market modelling approaches
iii) To understand the location patterns of land use within urban areas and regional development
iv) To understand the role that regulations and planning play in real estate markets
- Corporate Real Estate (BU501N)
-
15 Credit Points
Corporate Real Estate (CRE) professionals play a role in the whole life cycle of an organisation's property portfolio with their responsibilities covering the analysis and strategic planning of property requirements and managing property in a way that ensures it is occupied to its maximum benefit. The course topics include business alignment & planning, building pathology, change management & space planning, inspection & measurement, property management, sustainability and research methodologies & techniques. The RICS recognise The role of Corporate Real Estate within the Profession and there is a dedicated Pathway for graduates seeking to achieve their APC and Membership (MRICS) in this discipline.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Stage 2
-
Compulsory Courses
Advanced Valuation and Development (BU5525) (15 credit points)
- Real Estate Development and International Investment (BU552F)
-
15 Credit Points
The course covers two key aspects of real estate, namely development and international investment. While development is an intrinsically local activity, the drivers of demand to occupy and invest in real estate are increasingly global. Thus, the course first deals with the process of development and then provides the context of globalisation of economies and real estate markets, which underlies the demand for real estate occupation and investment. The course involves a European field trip.
- Strategic Marketing (BU5553)
-
15 Credit Points
The course aims to provide participants with a critical understanding of the nature and articulation of the marketing function within modern organisations, and an appreciation of the relative contribution of specific marketing tools to the development of a market orientation.
On completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Critique the key principles and concepts of marketing.
2. Evaluate the role of marketing to modern organisations in private and public sectors.
3. Understand the integration of the marketing function with other organisational functions.
4. Assess the role of identified marketing techniques
- Real Estate Finance (BU5563)
-
15 Credit Points
The course introduces students to concepts of portfolio management and recent developments regarding real estate investment vehicles. The course takes a financial economics viewpoint and places real estate investments within this context. The course covers such important aspects as securitization of initially illiquid real estate assets, the management of building portfolios and the use of index swap contracts for risk management purposes. The course discusses also real option theory and applies it to land development and the pricing of lease contracts.
- Stage 3
-
Optional Courses
Students must select between a dissertation and an internship.
Students choosing the Real Estate Internship option will be responsible for finding their own internship in a real estate organisation based in the UK. (Where a student does not hold a UK passport, the student will be responsible to check whether they are eligible to work in the UK given any Visa regulations that might apply to them.)
- Real Estate Dissertation (BU5955)
-
60 Credit Points
The dissertation is an independent piece of work. The choice of topic is largely your own but approval must be obtained from the course coordinator and your dissertation supervisor. The dissertation should contain a large degree of original work and allow you to demonstrate in depth the skills and knowledge you have acquired on the MSc. The dissertation should be around 15000 words in length. You will be expected to show competence for independent work and to demonstrate a clear definition of the problem or subject area to be studied and the formulation and expression of a logical, workable solution.
- Real Estate Internship (BU591U)
-
60 Credit Points
The student will be required to successfully secure an internship in a real estate organisation based in the UK. The student will be required to complete a period of real estate relevant work experience (minimum 150 hours) plus complete an associated research-based research report examining connections between theories, principles and professional practice in real estate. The internship maybe paid or unpaid. Where the student does not hold a UK passport, it will be the student’s responsibility to check whether they are eligible to work in the UK given visa regulations.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| UK | £11,900 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £26,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year |
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme:
The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen. More Information can be found here.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
By course work, group work, presentations, by written examination or by a combination of those, as prescribed for each course.
Why Study Real Estate (Commercial Option)?
The programme has several key strengths:
- Degree is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allowing graduates to proceed to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) following appropriate work experience
- The University of Aberdeen has been ranked 3rd in the UK, 4th in Europe and 19th in the world for its real estate research (EduRank 2024)
- Degree has been running for over 20 years and has established a strong reputation among employers with many past graduates employed in senior positions in the profession.
- Programme is based in the Business School and benefits from strong links with the economics, finance and management disciplines.
- Offers a particular focus and strength on commercial property valuation and investment and the study of international real estate markets.
- International Real Estate module includes a week long European field trip
- Students on the international pathway can elect to travel to Asia and visit 5 cities as part of the Asian Cities module.
- Teaching staff are active researchers ensuring that the content is at the forefront of current thinking
- The Real Estate Group has strong links with the profession with practitioners regularly involved in workshops and field trips
So you can be confident that you're investing in a learning experience that is widely recognised as being at the cutting edge of what's happening in business and learning from globally respected staff who are seen as leaders in this field.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
This programme is open to graduates from any discipline, and does not require business or management study to be completed at undergraduate level.
Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).
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 - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; 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.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
Our graduates achieve notable success in the employment market, with many employed by the major surveying firms in lucrative careers spanning surveying, investment, property valuation, planning and development and property management.
As there are more chartered surveying positions in London than there are in the rest of the UK, it’s no surprise that many of our past students are now enjoying careers with major surveying firms in the capital. But we also have significant numbers of former students in Glasgow and Edinburgh – not to mention many engaged with local practices throughout the UK.
Industry Links
Our business connections mean we provide opportunities to network with, present to, brainstorm with and do work for industry, including;
- The chance to have your work seen by eminent members of your profession
- Work and network with employers from a range of national and multi-national companies through our visiting speaker programme
- ‘Live’ projects for and site visits to prestigious companies or institutions
- Project work and workshops with visiting lecturers and industry specialists
Accreditation
Accreditation and world-wide recognition from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allows graduates to proceed to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
The Business School is EQUIS accredited, placing it among a select group of globally recognised institutions. Out of over 15,000 business schools worldwide, only around 200 schools across 45 countries have attained this distinction.
This degree holds accreditation from
What our Alumni Say
Suree Itthiphonphoom
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Fiona Stoddard, The University of Aberdeen
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
- 24 hour access to our online Learning Support provided via our Virtual Learning environment MyAberdeen
- Membership of the University Library, learning materials including access to core text books
- Access to international networking and continuing professional development
- Join our business societies such as the Entrepreneurial Society
- Access to all campus facilities
Sir Duncan Rice Library
The University’s award winning Sir Duncan Rice Library is listed in the “Top 20 spellbinding University libraries in the World”. It contains over a million volumes, more than 300,000 e-books and 21,000 journals.
Find out moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Business School
University of Aberdeen
MacRobert Building
King Street
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX