Summary

Are you interested in the buying, selling, valuation, management or development of real estate? If so, you should consider studying real estate at Ulster to acquire the skills needed to tackle real life problems and excel in a range of property roles. The real estate programme at Ulster has consistently been ranked in the top 5 in the 'Land and Property Management' subject discipline by the Complete University Guide as testimony of the quality and esteem that the programme is held in.

The Real Estate programme has unique characteristics in meeting the needs of property professions at both national and international levels. The degree has a strong focus on valuation, appraisal, finance and property development set within a business and built environment context. It is an ideal starting point for those aspiring to become Chartered Surveyors or have careers with a real estate or built environment focus. Many graduates, after a period of work-based learning, progress to chartered membership status of a relevant professional institution.

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Graduate Surveyor
• Graduate Valuer
• Letting Agent
• Property Developer
• Real Estate Investment Surveyor
• Sales Negotiator
• Property Manager

Career options

Most graduates work as agents buying, selling and letting real estate, or as property managers, valuation surveyors, property development surveyors or investment advisors. Graduates in Real Estate will be capable of fulfilling professional roles, which relate to all aspects of the management of landed property with particular emphasis on financial appraisal and evaluation of real estate in both investment and development terms. The course content addresses legal, economic, financial and environmental issues with a focus across different asset classes, making the course an excellent first degree for a range of careers in business and the built environment. In addition, the course provides an excellent foundation for graduates who wish to undertake postgraduate study or research.

Typical job destinations include:

• Private sector such as property consultancies, developers, financial institutions, housing associations, charities, estate agents, management companies, investment companies, or research.
• Public sector such as local authorities/councils such as Belfast City Council, Land and Property Services, NIHE etc.

Work placement / study abroad

The Real Estate Programme has a compulsory work placement in the 3rd year of the full-time programme. This placement is normally undertaken with a real estate, investment or development company either locally or nationally. These work placements are facilitated by the Course Team and are awarded on a competitive interview basis. The work placement provides you with the opportunity to work in a professional office environment and apply your theoretical classroom based knowledge to real life practical scenarios. Students who successfully pass their work placement year are awarded a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) and consistently see their employability enhanced through the core skills developed during their work placement. There are some placement exemptions available for students who have successfully completed a directly linked Foundation Degree or for students who can demonstrate relevant prior work experience.

Professional recognition

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.