Real Estate
Student testimonials
Chloe Newton, MSc Real Estate
I studied history as an undergraduate at Newcastle. When living in post-communist Moscow in the early 90’s, I witnessed tanks bombarding the parliament building to ensure President Yeltsin maintained his grip on the levers of power. Returning there, some 15 years later, I saw how Moscow City Council had destroyed period buildings and erected high-rise structures in a (misguided) attempt to emulate the West. For me buildings are symbols – of power, prestige, might, wealth and time. So my passion for property stems from a fascination with evolving environments. Taking this interest further I managed to secure work experience in the industry and this really confirmed for me that property was the arena in which I wished to establish my career. Like many other professions, property requires you to complete a professional qualification (an APC following study) to become a Chartered Surveyor, which firstly requires a RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) accredited university degree.
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So, when deciding where I could study an RICS accredited Real Estate MSc, I found that Glasgow offered such a course. Working in property at the time, in Glasgow, I learnt that the university had a fantastic reputation within the profession; and alumni provided an accurate testimonial of what the degree involved. More specifically though, the content of the degree really confirmed to me it was the course I wanted to do. The course consists of certain core modules, such as Valuation, that are essential to practice in the property industry, and it also allows you to pick optional modules, such as International Real Estate Markets, so you can shape the course to your interests and future career aspirations. The School of Social and Political Sciences also has great ties with the Adam Smith Business School, which are essential when learning about the complexities of property markets and how these are intertwined with the wider economic market. The course equips you with the necessary technical knowledge and develops your transferable skill sets, such as research and analytical skills, which are essential to success in the industry. Fundamentally, though the course encourages you to actively participate in classes, which means you can also learn from your peers and their experiences, something that cannot be learnt from a PowerPoint presentation, site visit or textbook.
More generally, choosing to study at Glasgow was a fantastic decision. The university itself has a plethora of societies that cater for everyone. Sport in particular is a great way to meet new friends and I have been an active member of the Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) Welfare Committee. You can also relive your undergraduate days at the infamous Glasgow University Union Hive nightclub. The mood around the campus really does echo a ‘work-hard, play-hard’ ethos, and so the Gilchrist Postgraduate Club and the designated postgrad space in the library provide the essential study space when needed. The university is located within the city’s West End, which is a real community of students, young professionals and artisans. Byres Road promotes a café culture and is brimming with boutiques, bistros and bars. Further afield, the city has something for everyone. Honoured as the European Capital of Culture in 1990, Glasgow is an international arts and cultural hub with numerous museums (many of which are free to enter) and theatres, many of which are free to enter (ideal for a student budget). The city is also renowned for its vibrant music scene, with world famous artists playing at the SECC and the brand-new Hydro arena and many wannabes making their debuts at King Tut’s. Further, as things begin shaping up for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Summer Youth Olympics Glasgow is, and will continue to be, an extremely exciting place to be.
I would recommend to anyone to come and visit Glasgow before submitting your application, and try and speak to as many people as possible about the university and the degree you want to do, as postgraduate study is a huge commitment. There are funding options out there, such as Scottish Funding Council scholarships, however it is essential you think about funding before committing yourself. You also need to think about how you learn best. Do you like to conduct individual research? Or do you prefer learning in a lecture theatre environment? Deciding upon this will help you choose which degree is best for you. I’ve been fortunate in that my degree encompasses both - it is a few days of intensive teaching that lay a foundation of knowledge, which you take further through individual research. Further, for me postgraduate study is essential for my future career, and in my opinion learning from the past informs our understanding of today and allows us leeway to pre-empt the future.
Finally, for me, the plan after university is to head to London and embark upon my APC training to become a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor. Hopefully at some point in the near future I will have the opportunity to live and work abroad, and I feel being in London provides me with the best springboard to do this. That is what is great about property you can work anywhere in the world because with RICS membership comes an internationally recognised professional qualification.
Grant Davidson, Scotland, MSc in Real Estate, Graduated 2012
Why did you choose the University of Glasgow?
The MSc in Real Estate is accredited by the Royal Institution of Charter Surveyors (RICS) which is a huge advantage and played a large part in me choosing this degree and the university. Equally important was how I felt after a visit to the school. I talked with the programme director for sometime and once I left I was certain that I wanted to study the Real Estate MSc.
What do you like about your programme of study?
I particularly liked the way that the class teaching time was structured. It consisted of intensive-teaching days for each subject. This does mean that you get a lot of information at once but it matched my style well and I found that you could better understand the topic having been immersed in it. There were also follow up tutorial for any problems you encountered. Previous to studying the MSc I completed an undergraduate degree in finance and economics. This course allowed me to further develop the skills I had learned throughout my time as an undergraduate while also allowing me to specialise in real estate.
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What have you enjoyed most about your time at the School?
I particularly enjoyed the real estate markets class as it gives you the chance to analyse market data and derive conclusions based on your own assumptions. The freedom you had in answering the assignment certainly helped my skills develop and ready me for work as a practitioner.
What have you enjoyed most about your time in Glasgow?
Glasgow is great city with lots of things to do and an amazing night life.
How has your degree helped you achieve your career goal?
I have been employed by Rettie & Co. where I work with the research team. Rettie & Co. are a leading independent Scottish property company that are involved with all sectors of the property industry and offer services including research and consultancy, development, sales and letting. They have a strong reputation and are known for their quality of service so I see it as an excellent place to start my career.
Any advice for potential applicants?
I could not recommend the course enough! It has opened doors and set me on the career path I want to be on.
Courses on the programme have received the following kinds of feedback:
Development Economics & Real Estate Appraisal: 'A steep learning curve but incredibly worthwhile'.
Real Estate Finance & Investment: 'An excellent course'.
Professional Practice and Ethics: Very high satisfaction with the balance of delivery of material and discussion and question-time.
Research Methods: 'It was an extremely good grounding for the dissertation, raising issues that could be used as tools throughout the project. Interative discussions and practical examples kept the course interesting!'
Students express their greatest enjoyment in our courses in relation to the following aspects of the way we teach:
Use of external speakers and practitioners: ' variety of contributors was good. Lots of opportunities to ask questions/discuss. Enough practical things to break up class lectures.'
Field visits and practical work: students really value the opportunity to be out of the classroom, learning in new ways and hearing from on-site professionals: 'nice to get out a classroom' ...a 'well organised with timekeeping and comfortable transport. Excellent input from guest lecturers.'
Regular seminars: 'great at providing a link between course contents and the real world.' The seminar series has given students the chance to hear from, and discuss issues with such eminent personalities as Baroness Margaret Ford (Chair of English Partnerships and Irvine Bay URC), Jim Mackinnon (former Chief Planner for Scotland), John MacBean and Mike Buchan (Jones Lang LaSalle) and Jan Bebbington (Professor of Accounting and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews).
Placements and links to employers: 'presentations (from employers) are useful in terms of being able to gain an idea of the jobs market and what we can expect in terms of pay and conditions.'
Facilities: students regularly use the REPR Resource Room including computing facilities, graphic printers, discussion space, and additional material and resources.