Overview

The MSc/PGDip in International Real Estate and Planning (IREP) offers a unique opportunity for students to focus on the relationship between the property development process and the planning systems of Europe and beyond. It explores the systems through which urban planning and property development operate:

• market mechanisms
• ownership frameworks
• taxation and subsidy
• land use
• policy planning.

It also considers market mechanisms from the standpoint of investors, developers and occupiers of buildings and the relationship between markets and policy at various geographical levels.

Programme Objectives

The programme structure reflects the reality that although economic globalisation and international integration are premised on some degree of harmonisation, the field of real estate and property development confronts a diverse range of rules and practices, which are deeply embedded in their national contexts and change only slowly. The programme also reflects the strong need for educated professionals trained to practise effectively across national boundaries.

It is the Bartlett School of Planning’s belief that this objective can only be achieved if attention is paid simultaneously to the character of real-estate markets and to the particularities of planning and other regulatory mechanisms. This is an ambitious but not impossible aim. For this purpose, throughout the programme coursework focuses on methods of study and understanding, as well as on the range of variation in practice through national case studies.

The programme consists of lectures and seminars, project work and the preparation of a dissertation. It aims to equip students with an understanding of the range of variation to be found across national boundaries, and with the theoretical and practical apparatus to apply their knowledge internationally.

Accreditation

The MSc IREP programme is fully accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). Further information on accreditation and routes to membership can be obtained from these bodies.

Contact details

Programme Director: Dr Claudio De Magalhães (email: c.magalhaes@ucl.ac.uk)

Admissions Tutor: Dr Jung Won Sonn (email: j.son@ucl.ac.uk)

Programme Administrator: Lisa Fernand (email: lisa.fernand@ucl.ac.uk)

Structure

The programme offers two different routes to the MSc/PGDip in International Real Estate and Planning: one-year full-time or two years and up to five years through accumulation of programme modules for part-time students.

Individual modules may be taken as free-standing training elements, and accumulated towards intermediate certificate and postgraduate diploma qualifications, as well as the full master's degree.

The MSc/PGDip degree requires the student to take and pass 180 credits of core and elective modules. The programme consists of six 15-credit modules of core studies and another 30 credits of elective courses. Those taking the MSc degree then write a 60-credit dissertation. A 'research support' module runs in Term 3, which is scheduled to coincide with the early stages of the production of an MSc Dissertation.

Compulsory Modules

BENVGEPA Planning Practices in Europe
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 1

BENVGEPB Critical Debates in Real Estate and Planning
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 1

BENVGEP7 Sustainable Property: Valuation, Investment, Development
Credits: 15
Assessment: Exam
Term 1

BENVGEPC Comparative Urban Projects
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 2

BENVGEP4 Introduction to Property Investment
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 2

BENVGUR2 Development Projects
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 2

Dissertation

BENVGPL7 Dissertation in Planning
Credits: 60
Assessment: Dissertation
Term 3 and Summer

Planning Research Support Module
Credits: 0
Assessment: None (attendance only)
Term 3

Elective Modules

Students should chose 30 credits of elective modules (normally two 15-credit modules, preferably one in Term 1, the other in Term 2). The choice is open to relevant modules in any UCL postgraduate programme.

Students seeking RTPI accreditation do not take elective modules, but instead have to take and pass two extra core courses:

BENVGTC1 Planning Practice
Credits: 15
Assessment: Coursework
Term 2

And a choice of one of the following two modules:

BENVGPL5 Spatial Planning
Credits: 15
Assessment: Exam
Term 2

BENVGPL6 International Planning
Credits: 15
Assessment: Exam
Term 2

Field trip

All students joining the MSc International Real Estate and Planning will participate in a short field trip in Term 1 of their first year. This trip will be based in a European city outside the UK and will cover a range of real estate and planning themes, linking directly to the master's programme.

Study Abroad

The MSc International Real Estate and Planning provides opportunities for students to study overseas for one term. It is envisaged that students on the programme will be able to spend their final term and the subsequent summer vacation overseas engaged in research for dissertations, if the dissertation topic warrants an overseas study and a partner university institution agrees to provide appropriate supervision. They will also be encouraged to follow research support modules as substitutes for the Planning Research support module that they would otherwise have followed at UCL. Further details on studying abroad can be found on the study abroad webpage.

Content

Compulsory Modules

BENVGEPA Planning Practices in Europe looks at the importance of planning in property markets, alongside systems of law, tenure and economic activity. The module is not exhaustive either in subject matter or in coverage of European countries. It indicates the spheres in which significant variations exist and the main debates on local, national and supra-national planning practices.

BENVGEPB Critical Debates in Real Estate and Planning is a reading-based seminar introducing students to some of the key issues confronting planning and property development internationally. The aim is to encourage in-depth reading and discussion within a small group setting and to develop themes introduced and knowledge gained in other core modules.

BENVGEP7 Sustainable Property: Valuation, Investment, Development provides an introduction to theories and techniques used in valuation and analysis of investments in property development, from an economic, social and environmental perspective. It looks at the implications of the sustainability agenda and discusses the role of government policy and action for promoting sustainable urban development.

BENVGEPC Comparative Urban Projects focuses on projects, developments and episodes in the expansion of metropolitan regions in different countries. It analyses and compares the relationship between planning systems, institutions of land ownership, law, taxation and market conditions, seeking to develop frameworks for understanding the genesis and the outcomes of urban developments.

BENVGEP4 Introduction to Property Investment explores the characteristics and dynamics of property investment markets and sub-markets in different countries. The module looks at the variations in context that influence property development and investment activity.

BENVGUR2 Development Projects provides an understanding of the development process, with emphasis on urban regeneration projects. The module looks at the different thought processes, the considerations of risk and return, and the variety of risk management strategies employed by those engaged in the development process.

Dissertation Modules

BENVGPL7 MSc International Real Estate and Planning Dissertation is a record of original work (approximately 10,000 words) linked to international real estate and planning.

BENVGPL3 Planning Research - Dissertation Support Module exposes students to the research process and to appropriate data collection methods for planning research. Students are also supported through this module in the early stages of planning their dissertation, and assisted with the development of appropriate research methods.

Elective Modules

Students can select up to 30 credits of elective modules from other UCL postgraduate programmes. Please look at the Postgraduate Modules webpage to view the options available. Recent elective options have included:

• Spatial Planning
• Urban Economics and Politics
• Transport Policy and Planning
• Urban Design
• Geographical Information Systems
• Urban Regeneration
• Cities and the Environment
• Housing Policies
• Management

Instead of taking elective modules, students seeking RTPI accreditation have to take and pass two extra core courses:

BENVGTC1 Planning Practice promotes an understanding of planning and development practice in both private and public sector agencies, with extensive contributions from practitioners.

And a choice of one of the following two modules:

BENVGPL5 Spatial Planning examines the evolution of the planning system in the UK with particular reference to spatial planning policy and spatial plan development, from European to national, regional, local and community practices.

BENVGPL6 International Planning develops students' understanding of their own country's planning system by studying planning in a cross-national comparative context.

Staff

Programme Director:

Dr Claudio de Magalhães
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Staff teaching on the programme currently include:

Dr Claire Colomb
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Michael Edward
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Dr Nikos Karadimitriou
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Dr Susan Moore
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Professor Nick Phelps
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Professor Yvonne Rydin
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Dr Martine Spinks
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Professor Mark Tewdwr-Jones
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Prof Fulong Wu
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Applying

Application procedures, fees, funding and scholarships

For information, please see the faculty admissions information here.

Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc International Real Estate and Planning programme at the Bartlett who were not already employed have taken jobs in real estate and planning in public and private offices in the UK and abroad. Among the employers of MSc IREP graduates are:

• Hammerson SA, Paris
• DTZ, Paris
• Matthews and Goodman, Paris
• King and Co, Barcelona
• OECD Urban and Environmental Directorate, Paris
• IAURIF, Paris
• Kolpron, Berlin
• Savills, Greece
• SEB Asset Management, Frankfurt
• Investment Property Databank, London
• Tarmac, London
• Jones Lang Lasalle, London
• URBED, London
• BNP Paribas, London
• Tibbalds Monro, London