International Real Estate - 2008 entry — Oxford Brookes University

International Real Estate
MSc / PGDip / PGCert
Accredited by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Economic development brings expansion in real estate markets; in areas such as Asia and Eastern Europe commercial real estate markets are growing at an exciting pace. In response, many commercial property firms are expanding their staff and offices overseas in order to make their expertise available worldwide. This process of globalisation means that major company profiles are international, with these firms employing several thousand staff in property markets around the world.
The MSc in International Real Estate was set up in 2004 in response to this worldwide trend. It aims to equip graduates with the skills and expertise to take advantage of career opportunities in overseas property markets. Of our students to date, about one half have come from the UK with the other half being drawn from countries as diverse as China, Estonia, Greece, Japan, Russia and the USA .
The MSc in International Real Estate runs alongside its sister programme, which is based on the UK property market. As its title suggests, MSc IRE takes an international focus. It is a conversion course, built upon a bedrock of research, and taught at Headington Campus, with excellent access to the library, computing and postgraduate student facilities.
Graduates have been very successful in securing employment, the majority attaining relevant employment by the end of their studies.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Learning methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project work and independent study. Teaching is organised around the course's component modules, involving a total of around 12 hours of teaching time during each week of the 11-week teaching semester. Each module is assessed individually, through coursework such as submission of reports and presentations, and/or formal written examination.
The Integrative Professional Practice module provides a vehicle for drawing together the individual subjects taught on the course and includes a week-long study visit to an overseas city such as Prague or Berlin.
The final assessment for the master's award is through submission of a dissertation based upon your individual research into a relevant real-estate topic of your choice.
Course content
The MSc comprises nine compulsory modules, structured to provide you with a thorough grounding in the skills and expertise necessary for a career in real estate.
Valuation and Investment I This module starts with an introduction to basic property valuation methodologies. You will learn to apply these to freehold and leasehold interests in under-, over- and rack-rented situations for both single-tenant and multi-let properties. The use of valuations in a variety of situations is studied, including statutory and 'red book' valuations. You will learn to look critically at valuation methods and their appropriateness against the wider economic and investment environment.
Valuation and Investment II This module builds on Valuation and Investment I, studying property as an investment, including its role in a multi-asset portfolio. The relevance of portfolio theory to property investment, and its influence on the use of diversification, risk analysis and performance measurement, is explored. The place of non-traditional property investments, international investment and different methods of indirect investment as a means of obtaining exposure to property market risk are studied. The course also introduces students to alternative methods of finance such as securitisation.
International Perspectives on Real Estate Law The acquisition, disposal, development, valuation and management of real estate around the world will always be subservient to the legal system of the state in question. Those involved in these features of real estate must, therefore, be familiar with the law as it relates to real estate in any country where they are doing business. It is not possible to value a building without knowing the law surrounding, for example, the landlord and tenant relationship. Fundamental questions must be answered, from the absolutely basic, such as 'can a foreign national even own land in the country?', through to the more sophisticated questions such as, 'do commercial tenants of buildings have any protection from the law which makes it difficult for landlords to recover possession of the building?' By using the law of England and Wales as a template for comparison, you will have the opportunity to study different legal systems from around the world, with a view to highlighting the many and considerable differences that exist internationally. Through the use of coursework you will gain experience of advising clients about the general legal requirements that exist in a chosen jurisdiction as regards the acquisition, valuation or management of real estate.
Institutional Approaches to Development The processes involved in developing real estate in different global markets vary owing to factors such as the legal, economic, political and environmental circumstances of each location. This module examines examples of real estate development and assists you in determining the similarities and differences that exist between them. Through the use of case studies and other examples from around the world, you will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills related to aspects of real estate development that are common to all locations.
Investment, Finance and Business Economics This module provides the framework for developing an understanding of the economic context in which a real estate organisation functions. This includes the national and international economic environment. You will learn about markets, in particular the real estate market and the influences upon such key variables as costs and prices. The module develops techniques to enable you to study an organisation in order to analyse its situation and propose solutions.
Strategic Management of Corporate Real Estate This module provides a framework for an analysis of the corporate environment and its effect on an organisation's real estate holdings. This includes both internal and external environments. The module will develop strategic perspectives for real estate in a variety of organisational structures and environments. It also examines aspects of operational management and the impact of these on overall strategy.
Integrative Professional Practice This module seeks to provide the application of estate management skills within a practical setting. It seeks to develop a wide range of professional skills within the field of real estate management.
Applied Research Methods and Dissertation These modules enable you to conduct primary research by developing and implementing a detailed research strategy that results in an original piece of work of publishable quality. They provide you with the experience needed to carry out research and to be able to critically assess research reports in your professional life. The PGDip and PGCert are available as exit awards only; students need 120 credits for the PGDip and 60 credits for the PGCert.
Further information about the course and the student experience can be accessed from the School's web pages.
Quality
The School of the Built Environment gained grade 4 (out of 5*) in the last Research Assessment Exercise, with the Department of Real Estate and Construction being praised for the international potential of its research.
All modules are led by academic staff in the Department of Real Estate and Construction complemented by specialist contributions from other academic colleagues in the department and from visiting professional practitioners. The international focus of the course is reflected in the diversity of staff teaching on the course and our research strengths in international land markets and sustainability. In 2005, our School was recognised as a Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Undergraduate Research in collaboration with Warwick University - one of only 70 centres recognised nationally by the Government across all universities.
Credits and modules
Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All postgraduate single modules are equivalent to 10 ECTS credits, double modules to 20 ECTS credits, and treble modules to 30 ECTS credits. A full master's course will carry 90 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Admission
International Real Estate is open to students who hold a good undergraduate honours degree in a non-cognate discipline or equivalent qualification. Applicants to this conversion course are therefore welcome from any academic discipline (other than real estate).
Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to a career in real estate, preferably through previous work experience. Applicants whose first language is not English should have achieved an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or show evidence of an equivalent level of fluency in English. For TOEFL the required score is 575 (paper-based) or 233 (computer-based).
How to apply
You apply for this course directly to the University.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

International Real Estate - 2008 entry — Oxford Brookes University 2008-07-26T05:22:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Merlyn Rosell