Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development

MSc Spatial Planning and Real Estate Development will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to work as a development surveyor or planner. It has been designed to align your skills to the educational requirements of the industry’s professional bodies and upon completion, you 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.

During the master’s programme, you’ll build a deep understanding of the complex interactions and uncertainties of the development process, and learn the essential components of economics, valuation, planning, law, and regeneration and sustainability principles. You’ll develop 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.

The career-focused master’s programme will set you up to pursue a career as a chartered development surveyor or planner with a specific focus in land and property markets. Such opportunities are available with a range of employers in the private and public sector, including local development and regeneration agencies.

As a graduate you’ll be able 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 programme

Customise your learning

You can choose whether to study the programme full time or part time at our Edinburgh campus. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. The programme begins in September and the course will last 12 months full time or 24 months part time.

You can customise your degree to match your specific interests or desired career pathway through choosing one real estate management, investment analysis, or social sustainability course option in semester two.

In semester three, you’ll undertake an extensive and specialised investigation through your research dissertation on a topical social science issue. You’ll be required to demonstrate your advanced understanding of the discipline in which the dissertation topic is located through effective formulation of a hypothesis, and the planning and execution of appropriate research to address the problem. You’ll do this effectively within the resources and time available thus increasing your analytical and organisational skills.

Industry

We work closely with industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.

There are significant job opportunities for planners in Scotland, and it is estimated that there will be a need for around 700 additional planners in the coming years, presenting a major opportunity for graduates of this programme.

Accreditation

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