Heriot-Watt University
Study Postgraduate

MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development

The course

Delivery
Full-time, Part-time
Course type
Taught
Location
Edinburgh
Entry date
September

Ranked 2nd in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Town and Country Planning and Landscape in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

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Overview

Our MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development course 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.

Ranked 2nd in Scotland and 4th in the UK for Town and Country Planning and Landscape in The Times / The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

The course 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.

September 2024 entry

The deadline for applications from UK students is 30 August 2024. For EU and overseas applicants, we guarantee to consider applications submitted by 2 August 2024.

Our students

The course 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
  • demonstrate sophisticated intellectual and research skills proficient for a professional career
  • evaluate complex problems and formulate solutions associated with planning and development issues
  • 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 course 

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Go Global

Some of our Postgraduate Taught Masters Programmes are eligible for Inter-Campus Transfer. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for further information.

Course content

This course is composed of eight taught core courses at PgDip level. For those looking to complete the course at MSc level a Masters dissertation in Semester 3 is also required. Students are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.

 
Semester 1 Semester 2
Urban Economy and Property Markets Governance Participation and Community Planning
Spatial Planning Environmental Planning
Strategic Spatial Vision Project Option
Real Estate Appraisal and Finance Option

Mandatory courses

Urban Economy and Property Markets

This module aims to develop an understanding of the spatial dimensions of property markets, the interaction between the property market and the urban economy and the impact on local property markets on urban management policies.

Spatial Planning

This course aims to help students to develop a critical understanding of: spatial planning agendas; sectoral and spatial policy frameworks at national, strategic and local levels; legal and ethical frameworks; implementation mechanisms; development management issues; relationships between land and property and planning, including development rights and property rights. The syllabus includes the following subjects: 

Reasons for planning; Development Planning; Urbanisation and Urban development; Development and property rights; Development Management; Environmental Assessment; Conservation and Globalisation and urban transitions.

Strategic Spatial Vision Project

Develops advanced understanding of, and skills in, the preparation and evaluation of spatial and urban visions and strategies within different cultural, social and economic contexts.

Real Estate Appraisal and Finance

This course aims to establish the economic context for the creation of value, introduce the principles for the assessment of value in property markets, develop a clear understanding of the valuation process and appropriately apply the principal valuation methods (conventional and contemporary) to a range of property types and interests.

Optional courses

  • Real Estate Management and Sustainability
  • Real Estate Investment Analysis
  • Social Sustainability

Career

With strong professional links and a focus on up-to-date industry-relevant content, this course equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to quickly and effectively contribute to the success of their working environment.

On completion of this course graduates will be able to have a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the property market context and the nature and theory of spatial planning and sustainable development. Graduates can work in a variety of roles in the private and public sectors, both in the UK and abroad or continue research through completion of PhD study. 

Entry requirements

Masters (MSc) level entry applicants must have one of the following:

  • Minimum of 2:1 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a non-cognate discipline
  • Minimum of 2:2 honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a related subject area
  • Corporate (or chartered) membership of relevant professional institutions will also be considered

PG Diploma level entry applicants must have an ordinary degree in a related subject area and relevant post qualification industry experience.

Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirements or have no formal academic qualifications will be considered individually based on their CV and possibly interview. Admission via this route will be at the discretion of the Director of Recruitment.

Recognition of Prior Learning

We are committed to providing study opportunities to applicants who have a wide range of prior experiences through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For more information on RPL, please contact the Admissions Team (studywithus@hw.ac.uk) ahead of application. We can only consider requests for RPL at the time of application to a course 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. Please refer to English language requirements for further details.

Some applicants may be asked for alternative evidence in line with UKVI recognised English speaking countries. Applicants who have previously successfully completed courses 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. A minimum of at least one year of full time study (or equivalent) in the medium of English language will be required.

All evidence of English language needs to be dated within two years of the commencement of study.

We also offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your master's programme:

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Fees

Tuition fees for entry
Status Full-time Part-time
UK £9152 £4576
Overseas £19056 £9528

Footnotes

  1. Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.
  2. Overseas includes applications from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK. Read more about the application process for EU nationals.

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 scholarships.