The College of Estate Management

The College of Estate Management

Qualify while working

Over the last few years the College of Estate Management has worked hard to identify and provide appropriate courses for what is an exciting career. The College now offers something for everyone who wants to enter the property and construction sector or extend their skill and professional base.

A centre of excellence for the property and construction sector worldwide

The College is the leading international body providing distance learning education and training to the property professions and construction industries since it was founded in 1919. It has 3,500 students in more than 80 countries and is based on the campus of the University of Reading. The degree courses are awarded by the University of Reading and most courses are accredited by the RICS and/or CIOB

Advantages of Distance Learning:

• Integrate studies with everyday work
• Enhance your CV
• A cost effective alternative to university
• Obtain a professional qualification
• Online internet support take the `distance out of distance learning`

Distance-learning courses offered

1. Entry level course

• CEM Diploma in Surveying Practice - leads to Tech RICS

2. Undergraduate courses

• BSc in Building Surveying
• BSc in Construction Management
• BSc in Estate Management
• BSc in Quantity Surveying
• BSc in Property Management

Undergraduate courses offer students the opportunity to `qualify while working` and a cost effective alternative to university. Students can integrate studies with everyday work, build up their CV and obtain a professional qualification

3. Graduate Development Programme

• MSc in Surveying
• Postgraduate Diploma in Surveying
• CEM Diploma in Surveying

These courses enable those with a first degree in any subject the opportunity to make a career move, enter the surveying professions, become a qualified chartered surveyor and gain prestigious qualifications:


4. Postgraduate courses offered

• MBA in Construction & Real Estate
• MSc/PgDip in Conservation of the Historic Environment
• MSc/PgDip in Facilities Management
• MSc/PgDip in Property Investment
• MSc in Real Estate
• RICS Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management
• CEM Postgraduate Diploma in Arbitration
• CEM Postgraduate Certificate in Adjudication

For graduates with cognate qualifications or relevant work experience there are a broad range of postgraduate courses to enable them to develop postgraduate specialisations.

Also Available:

• BCSC Diploma in Shopping Centre Management

Degree courses are awarded by the University of Reading and most courses are recognised by one or more of the following bodies including The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Chartered Institute of Building, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, The Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers, The Board of Valuers, Appraisers and Estate Agents, Malaysia, and The Board of Quantity Surveyors, Malaysia.

Taking the distance out of distance learning

Distance learning enables students to apply their work to their studies, and their studies to their work. Once a student enrolls on a distance-learning course, they will usually receive their study material in the post - a box containing text books, CDs, videos, introductory notes and details of how to log on to the course website. Importantly there will also be a course programme and a timetable of when assignments are required to be submitted and the dates of exams.

Candidates benefit from seeing the practical application of their academic studies from the very start. Students are offered significant on-line support, with help and notes on the coursework, as well as discussion forums with other students, problem-solving blogs and direct communication with course tutors. It is all designed so that the remote student doesn`t feel isolated. Much of the study material is also available on-line, through the Virtual Learning Environment, which means that students can possibly study at work without having to haul a huge satchel of heavy books through the commuter rush hour.

Face-to-face teaching sessions with tutors are generally held two or three times a year, and exams are held at designated centres throughout the UK and overseas.


Some Student's Comments

Diploma in Surveying Practice (Entry Level Course)

`Over the last two years, the mix of coursework and work-based learning has given me a better insight into the many facets of the estate management world. I have also found the diploma`s syllabus extremely beneficial in fulfilling my organisation`s aims of delivering estate solutions to defence needs`.

`I feel that the vocational elements of the course have been of benefit, especially land use and building. However, the more general areas such as Technical Communication and Management Theory, although useful, could have been incorporated within other disciplines. The Economics module has certainly assisted when I advise overseas investors concerning the Eastern European property market`.

`After many years working at an administrative level, the diploma has enabled me to enter the surveying profession in a realistic and practical way. Whilst I have found the Diploma to be academically challenging after so many years out of education, it has provided the necessary qualification to enable me to enter the degree course. This will hopefully lead me to attaining full membership of the RICS`.


BSc (Hons) Estate Management (University of Reading)

`Having completed the course, I find that my degree is regarded with respect in the outside world. Overall: highly enjoyable, well worth while, great personal satisfaction.`

`The distance learning course provided me with a great challenge and enabled me to work in the profession whilst obtaining the qualification that I required to advance my career. Receiving my first class honours degree rounded off four years of hard work perfectly.`

`Studying at The College of Estate Management while working full time needs real discipline, but the tutors and other staff were always supportive.`

MBA in Construction and Real Estate
(University of Reading)

`This is a very rewarding course academically and professionally.`

`The courses provided me with a thorough understanding of modern business practice in the context of the property industry. I have been able to apply the theoretical principles learned in the course to practical problems on a day-to-day basis, thus increasing my own effectiveness.`

`I enrolled on the MBA course to develop my career in Project Management after some years in building surveying. The course content and the high reputation of the College finalised my choice.`

`The experience has been exhilarating, interesting and a significant time of learning for me! I speak not only about the course but the different cultures of the other participants I interacted with.`

MSc in Real Estate (University of Reading)

`I am beholden to the tutors` able instructions and kind encouragement throughout the past two and a half years. The tutors were always responsive, thoughtful and helpful with my questions.`

`This course has given me an added feeling of confidence, so that I now go about my job as a valuer with much assurance - as never before. I strongly recommend this course to real estate professionals.`

Official website: http://www.cem.ac.uk