PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme title:
MSc International Real Estate and Planning
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
Certificate / Postgraduate Diploma / MSc
The course follows the Built Environment Regulations for the award
of Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc. The certificate is
awarded for 60 taught credits assessed at 50% or above. The
Postgraduate Diploma is awarded at the completion of 120 taught
credits assessed at 50% or above. The MSc is awarded at the
completion of 120 taught credits assessed at 50% or above and the
60-credit MSc Report assessed at 50% or above.
N/A
(where stopping off points exist they should be
detailed here and defined later in the document)
UCAS code:
(where applicable)
Cohort(s) to which this programme
specification is applicable:
2012 onwards
(e.g. from 2015 intake onwards)
Awarding institution/body:
University College London
Teaching institution:
University College London
Faculty:
Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment
Parent Department:
Bartlett School of Planning
(the department responsible for the administration of
the programme)
Departmental web page address:
http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/planning/
(if applicable)
Method of study:
Full-time / Part-time / Flexible
Full-time/Part-time/Other
Criteria for admission to the
programme:
First degree with a minimum 2.2 or equivalent
Length of the programme:
12 months full-time; 24 months part-time, up to 60 months flexible
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such
as study abroad or placements in industry)
Level on Framework for Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes)
Relevant subject benchmark statement
(SBS)
LEVEL 7
N/A
(see Guidance notes)
Brief outline of the structure of the
programme
and
its
assessment
methods:
(see guidance notes)
Students take a total of 180 credits comprising of 90 credits of
compulsory modules (15 credits assessed by unseen examination,
and 75 credits by coursework only), and 30 credits of elective
modules (assessment depending on chosen modules). They also
complete a 10,000 word dissertation (with support modules) worth 60
credits.
For module details see;
http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/planning/programmes/postgraduate/msc
diploma-international-real-estate-planning
Board of Examiners:
Name of Board of Examiners:
MSc Planning Programmes
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
Royal Town Planning Institute
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Date of next scheduled
accreditation visit: RTPI
Partnership arrangements
include an annual meeting
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
The programme aims to equip students with theoretical and practical preparation to practice across
national boundaries in the fields of planning and real estate. It does not seek to be exhaustive in its
coverage of national practices but instead to foster understanding of the respects in which such
practices are liable to vary.
Modules are designed for students to acquire knowledge of the constitutional and social factors
influencing variations in practices and skills in the investigation of how such knowledge may be
acquired for an unfamiliar place.
Students are drawn from a variety of built environment professions and national origins and this further
contributes to the exchange of knowledge, skill in interpersonal (inter-professional and international)
discussion and working.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding,
qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
(i) practices for urban planning and
property development (including valuation
and investment practices) and the
dimensions on which these vary
significantly among countries.
(ii) the changing role of national and
supra-national agencies and policies in
modifying and in complementing local
practices.
(iii) specialised aspects of the built
environment relevant to the individual
student's personal development strategy
and professional interests/needs.
(Elective modules and Dissertation).
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(i) and (ii) are the focus of a number of lectures
(including some by visiting practitioners) but the main
learning methods are individual and group work by
students in researching and presenting (for class
discussion) papers on nations, cities/regions and local
development projects and on markets and sub-markets.
Valuation practices are the subject of a hands-on class
each week, with constant worked examples.
This learning in London is supplemented by a study visit
to a city abroad.
(iii) comprises a variety of teaching/learning methods
depending on the electives chosen, research methods
training and personal supervision for the dissertation
Assessment:
The preparation of coursework (mostly individual but
partly by groups) is the dominant form. Students are
thus able to demonstrate that they have acquired, and
can sythesise, this knowledge in a scholarly and
professional way..
Means of assessment are balanced throughout the
programme with a combination of individual and group
work, essays, an exam, project work and other skillsbased practical work.
B: Skills and other attributes
Intellectual (thinking) skills:
(i) Ability to analyse the production of the
built environment, distinguishing the
contribution of legal and governance
structures, social and economic forces
and design ideas.
(ii) understand the constraints and
opportunities presented in real estate
markets
(ii) A facility to understand the potential
tensions between public policy and
planning (including sustainability issues)
on the one hand and the dynamics of
market processes on the other.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
These skills are fostered especially through the
formulation, tuition and discussion of student coursework
tasks and the dissertation and through guidance on
reading.
The diversity of professional backgrounds among
students and staff contribute valuable raw material for
the explicit debate on ideology and values.
Assessment:
Demonstration of these skills is necessary to obtain
good marks in much of the coursework. The Dissertation
gives extensive scope for the student to present the
fruits of these skills.
C: Skills and other attributes
Practical skills (able to):
(i) Prepare valuations of interests in real
property.
(ii) Analyse property investment
alternatives
(iii) formulate policy alternative related to
urban development
(ii) Communicate effectively with other
professionals in the face of language and
other barriers
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
The means of teaching are diverse but balanced
throughout with a combination of individual and group
project work, skills-based practical and IT work,
traditional lectures, tutorials and seminars, field trips and
direct practitioner involvement.
Assessment:
Means of assessment are balanced throughout the
programme with a combination of individual and group
work, essays, an exam, project work and other skillsbased practical work.
D: Skills and other attributes
Transferable skills (able to):
(i) conduct effective and discriminating
searches of printed and digital sources,
including 'grey' literature;
(ii) synthesise new information in
structured ways;
(iii) engage in effective debate and
discussion;
(iv) link quantification with qualitative
judgement;
(v) make effective use of unfamiliar
software as it comes along, including
especially spreadsheets, stats, image
manipulation and presentation;
(vi) improve writing and speaking skills in
English and develop reading and
conversation skills in at least one other
language.
(vii) work effectively in groups.
Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
(i) is the subject of formal and informal tuition. Much of
the course bibliography is held in a shared (web)
database which students are encouraged to use as a
first point of reference.
(ii) (iii) and (vi) are the subject of detailed staff comment
and feedback on class presentations and essays.
All students make a number of presentations to the
class, both prepared (with visual aids) and impromptu.
All students gain some experience in working in groups.
Assessment:
(i) (ii) (iv) and (vi) assessed through the marking criteria
for coursework and exams, and in the Dissertation
(vii) is tested by a group project.
(v) arises in most modules.
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
 the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/qualifications-frameworks.pdf);
 the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements:
(http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuring-standards-and-quality/the-quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements);
 the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
 UCL teaching and learning policies;
 staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the
learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes
full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the
departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually
by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s)
Name(s):
Dr Claudio de Magalhães
Date of Production:
September 2010
Date of Review:
May 2015
Date approved by Chair of
Departmental Teaching
Committee:
Date approved by Faculty
Teaching Committee
May 2015
July 2015