Please note the name of this degree has been changed from Property Agency and Marketing since the current prospectus went to press.

This honours degree provides you with a unique insight into the nature of property and property interests, together with an understanding of the workings of the property market. You will be given the opportunity to examine the complexities of the market for a wide range of property types, including residential, commercial, industrial, rural, leisure and recreational property. Study will focus on the acquisition, sale, letting, development and management of property interests, and the law and practice underpinning these functions.

Public interest in the property market continues to grow, whilst government consistently monitors, reviews and makes pronouncements on the state of the market as it constitutes an important factor influencing economic policy. Consequently, over time, policy and legislation have attempted to regulate transactions, and the parties involved in transactions relating to the buying, selling and renting of property.

Together with core surveying skills of valuation, building construction, law and planning, you will investigate:

• the history and dating of vernacular buildings
• the psychology of selling and negotiation.
• contemporary issues relevant to property and society.

This particular area is considered important to property professionals who might seek to influence the drafting of future policy and its implementation in practice.

Graduates of the course will be well-equipped to deal with the challenges and opportunities facing the property market practitioner in the future, in a period of change, and could be involved in such areas as property development, property investment, estate agency relating to buying, selling and renting, valuation, commercial agency and commercial property asset management.

We are a ‘partnership institution’ with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) by whom the course is fully accredited. Typically, a graduate is employed as a trainee with a firm of chartered surveyors and undertakes a two-year Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) in one of the specialist areas of practice recognised by the RICS. There are also strong links with local members of the RICS through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events which help to bring students and practitioners together. In addition, local professional practices and public sector bodies are involved with problem-solving projects and case studies. Additional experienced practitioners contribute to the course in the form of teaching involving presentations, workshops and seminars.

About the Course

Each year of the course comprises eight modules of study, as set out in the table opposite. As you progress to the final year, not only do the core subjects increasingly overlap and integrate, but there are also opportunities to specialise through the study of two electives. In addition, there is a double module of study devoted to personal research for a dissertation on a subject of your choosing. The dissertation will be undertaken under the guidance of a member of academic staff familiar with the subject matter.Teaching takes place in lectures, smaller group tutorials and practical sessions, depending on the particular subject being taught. A wide range of practising property experts visit the College, augmenting the theory with their own practical experience.

Study visits also take place, to a wide variety of commercial residential and leisure properties, where owners, occupiers and their professional advisers can provide additional insights to the issues arising in the area of property agency and marketing. A mixture of assessment methods is used, but assessed coursework features strongly throughout the course, often based on case studies which help you to see the practical application of the subjects you are studying. The case study material gradually becomes more complex and challenging as the course progresses. You will learn progressively to integrate the subject matter studied in different modules in your assessed work.

What you need to join the Course

Offers will typically be based on a UCAS score of 300 points, normally from three subjects passed at A2 level. Required UCAS points are occasionally subject to change. You should also have achieved GCSE passes at Grade C or above in English and Mathematics. 

Alternatively entry routes are available if you have other qualifications, including a Diploma, AVCE, GNVQ, overseas qualifications and prior experience; although entry subject to approval by the programme managers and admissions staff, and following individual interview.

You are encouraged to undertake practical professional experience before starting the course. If you take a gap year, it would be expected that you spend some part of it in relevant work experience. 

Career Prospects

Graduates of this degree course may pursue a range of careers in the sales and letting departments of property practices in both urban and rural areas, filling a growing need for intelligent and competent young professionals. Opportunities are available in ‘country house’, residential and commercial agency with emphasis on property development and management. This can lead to stimulating and rewarding careers and future ‘partnership’ or directorship levels.

We have an excellent employment record, and the wide network of former students ensures a warm welcome for our graduates throughout the property profession. Nationally and internationally recognised firms of chartered surveyors recruit regularly from our courses.

The academic staff of the School of Real Estate and Land Management will support you in your career applications and assist in the first and second years to find work experience placements during vacations. This work experience is invaluable in enabling you to make your own contacts in the profession whilst gaining an understanding of the wide range of professional work available to you. Vacation work experience helps you not only to gain an insight into areas of employment which might interest you, but also help to contextualise your learning on the course.

As an honours degree encompassing business skills, law, finance, IT, economics and marketing, the course provides a good introduction to careers in general business management within a wide range of organisations. It also provides a foundation for further study; higher degrees, research and academic careers.

The Programme Manager will be happy to provide further guidance to you about what work experience would be most suitable for your circumstances.