Real Estate and Planning, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma

Heriot-Watt University, the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MSc, Postgraduate Diploma	Full-time, Part-time, Distance	find out	September, January	GBP 5360	GBP 14520

About Real Estate and Planning, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma - at Heriot-Watt University

Our MSc Real Estate and Planning provides the foundation, knowledge and skills needed to work as a development surveyor or planner. On completion, graduates will be able to work either in the public or private sectors, advising on the complexities of property development to occupiers, investors, developers and planning authorities.

It is designed to build understanding of the complex interactions and uncertainties of the development process. It provides students with the essential knowledge components of economics, valuation, planning, law, and regeneration and sustainability principles. It also develops an appreciation of the skills and tasks inherent in development projects, including community participation, satisfying the statutory planning considerations, undertaking the necessary financial appraisals, and achieving funding to make it happen.

Our students

The programme is suitable for students with an interest in pursuing a career either as a chartered development surveyor or as a planner with a specialism in land and property markets. Such opportunities are available in a range of employers in the private and public sector, including local development and regeneration agencies.

Our graduates will be able to:

draw on a wide perspective to offer a holistic approach to sustainable development
be ready and eligible to undertake the Assessment of Professional Competence of both the RICS and RTPI
demonstrate sophisticated intellectual and research skills proficient for a professional career
evaluate complex problems and formulate solutions associated with planning and development issues
appreciate the values, ethics, responsibilities, and rules governing professional membership of the RICS and RTPI, and the need for professional integrity when advising clients and the public
have a respect for diversity and an appreciation of social inclusion as a goal of planning
have an awareness of the role that values and attitudes play in managing change in the built environment
have an interdisciplinary perspective that draws on the range of disciplines that contribute to the programme and within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society.

Course length

The full-time course starts in mid September and lasts one year. The course can also be taken part-time over two years, or online via Independent Distance Learning (IDL).

Accreditation

Heriot-Watt's School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society is a leading education centre for planning and surveyor professionals in the UK.

The MSc has full recognition from the educational requirements of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and has professional accreditation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Notes about fees for this course

Status*Full-timePart-timeDistance learning**Scotland / Non-UK EU£5,360 £2,680 £1185/850England / Northern Ireland / Wales£5,360 £2,680 £1185/850Overseas£14,520 £7,260 £1185/850

* If you are unsure which category you fall in to, you should complete a fee status enquiry form, which allows us to assess your fees.

Additional fees information

**Students pay £1185 per course and £1690 for the Dissertation. This programme consists of 8 courses (modules). MSc students are also required to submit a Masters dissertation.

For questions about IDL fees, please contact our Distance Learning Office: egis-idl-enquiries@hw.ac.uk

Scholarships and bursaries

We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.

View our full range of postgraduate taught scholarships.

Entry requirements

For MSc level entry applicants must have:

Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in cognate and semi-cognate subject area. For PG conversion programmes, non-cognate degrees will be considered. Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered.

For PG Diploma level entry applicants must have:

Third class honours degree in a cognate or semi-cognate subject area PLUS 2 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level completed post qualification.
Cognate or semi-cognate ordinary degree PLUS 3-4 years of relevant experience at an appropriate level following graduation.
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and the number of successful applicants will be restricted.

There is no entry at PG Certificate level except through exceptional agreement with approved learning partners.

Non-graduating study at masters level:

Entry is based on CV or on formal academic qualifications or graduate (or incorporated) membership of a relevant professional institution.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Heriot-Watt University is committed to providing opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Prior learning at postgraduate level is normally recognised to gain exemption from individual courses within a programme based on an existing academic qualification. Note that the prior learning must have been rated at the level of the courses for which RPL is sought, yet credits from an award already held by an applicant can only contribute to a higher award in the same discipline, e.g. from PG Diploma to MSc. If you believe that you qualify for RPL, please contact the Learning & Teaching Support Team via egis-enquiries@hw.ac.uk, who will guide you through the RPL application procedure.

The school will only consider students' requests for RPL at the time of application for their programme of study.

English language requirements

If English is not the applicant's first language a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is required with all elements passed at 6.0 or above.

Applicants who have previously successfully completed programmes delivered in the medium of English language may be considered and will be required to provide documentary evidence of this. Examples would be secondary school education or undergraduate degree programme. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5);
10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills);
6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)

Additional information

Distance learning entry dates

Distance learning students can choose to start their studies in January or September. The January intake is not available to students studying on-campus.

Distance learning computing requirements

Please note that independent distance learning students who access their studies online will be expected to have access to a PC/laptop and internet.

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Study options for this course

About Real Estate and Planning, MSc, Postgraduate Diploma - at Heriot-Watt University

Notes about fees for this course

Entry requirements

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Other courses at Heriot-Watt University

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