UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme 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.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution
University of Central Lancashire
3. University Department/Centre
School of Built & Natural Environment
4. External Accreditation
RICS APC route to be applied for following validation
5. Title of Final Award
MSc Property Development
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Blended e-learning
7. UCAS Code
NA
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Construction & Surveying
9. Other external influences
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Chartered Institute of Building
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
April 2010 (PCR)
11. Aims of the Programme
12. Aims of the Programme





The aims of the programme are to establish and develop :
a critical awareness of contemporary issues in property development informed by leading edge
research and practice and the capacity to apply emerging principles to standard and
unpredictable professional practice scenarios
a detailed understanding of the nature and application of design, management, economics and
finance integrated with risk assessment techniques and legal skills related to the property
development process
effective use of IT, elearning and other innovative tools, techniques and methodologies as applied
to the design and management of property development and the research process
personal and interpersonal skills which can be applied to the property development process





the capacity to undertake and reflect upon strategic and complex project decision-making, in the
property development process
relevant skills in order to pursue life-long learning and continuous development in the context of
professional practice within the subject specialism.
the ability to identify, retrieve and assess the rigour and value of published research as the source
of alternative perspectives that inform and underpin the property development decision making
process and investigative research
creative and innovative approaches to investigative research including the review, evaluation and
selection with justification of appropriate research methodologies and the communication of
findings in an objective, coherent and professional manner
develop the student’s research methods and applications
13. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1 critically evaluate approaches to property development schemes including the techniques
associated with market research, site acquisition, finance, valuation, risk assessment, development
appraisals and the development cycle.
A2 comprehensively appraise the issues related to property information and critically evaluate the
concepts and constraints imposed by planning and property law upon the development process
A3 critically evaluate a range of contemporary issues including health and safety issues,
sustainability, environmental protection, regeneration and other relevant external factors in the context
of property development
A4 evaluate and appraise knowledge and practice underpinning the discipline of property
development in order to apply a critical awareness of contemporary issues
A5 tackle complex problem solving scenarios in a context relating to the design, management,
economics, marketing of the property development process at a national level
A6 justify and explain the need to evaluate and adopt a considered theoretical perspective or
conceptual framework within which research can be undertaken in relation to property development
Teaching and Learning Methods
 Integration of effective use of electronic distance learning and face to face interaction
between the students, the course team and other contributors to the course.
 Electronic learning materials which offer directed study through a series of subject sections
and section-assessment questions (SAQs)
 An introduction to planned approaches to research problem identification and alternative
research methodologies available
 Individual meetings with research supervisors via Breeze or on campus
Assessment methods
Assessment by SAQs, essays, reports, case studies, research papers, presentations, group exercises
and dissertation
B. Subject-specific skills
B1 critically appraise property development opportunities and proposals in terms of design, economic
viability and legal and technical feasibility
B2 pursue a critical research oriented approach to the study of property development through review
and evaluation of external factors which impact upon property development and leading edge
research
B3 identify and critically analyse design, management, economics, finance, legal and marketing
issues that are relevant to property development and select appropriate strategies to resolve
problems and implement the decision making process
B4 identify areas of research, write a research proposal, effectively search for relevant secondary and
primary data and identify the problems and possibilities of accessing such material
B5 produce independently a major piece of written work using an appropriate and justified research
methodology, which employs evidenced based argument, as part of managing an effective research
projects relating to professional practice
B6 communicate findings in a professional written form, using a planned approach and complying with
the requirements of acceptable professional standards and research protocols
Teaching and Learning Methods
 Integration of effective use of electronic distance learning and face to face interaction
between the students, the course team and other contributors to the course.
 Electronic learning materials which offer directed study through a series of subject sections
and section-assessment questions (SAQs)
 An introduction to planned approaches to research problem identification and alternative
research methodologies available
 Individual meetings with research supervisors via Breeze or on campus
Assessment methods
Assessment by SAQs, essays, reports, case studies, research papers, presentations, group exercises
and dissertation
C. Thinking Skills
C1 appraise and evaluate design principles relating to property development and apply principles and
practice of property law and research
C2 undertake development appraisals, evaluate potential constraints and apply appropriate
contemporary solutions
C3 critically appraise course material to develop theories and communicate the same effectively both
orally and in writing to specialist and non-specialist audiences
C4 pursue creative and innovative approaches to identification and resolution of standard or
unpredictable problems arising in property development scenarios and select appropriate qualitative
and quantitative methodologies to address them
C5 reflect and evaluate strategic decision making related to the development process in order to
construct logical and lucid evidence or argument in a work-based scenario or in an original piece of
work
C6 effectively employ techniques of evaluation and critical analysis in investigating solutions and the
presentation of findings in an unbiased and objective form
C7 review and evaluate methodologies used in a range of research project and justify the selection of
methodologies appropriate to the theoretical perspective or conceptual framework employed in the
research
Teaching and Learning Methods
 Integration of effective use of electronic distance learning and face to face interaction
between the students, the course team and other contributors to the course.
 Electronic learning materials which offer directed study through a series of subject sections
and section-assessment questions (SAQs)
 An introduction to planned approaches to research problem identification and alternative
research methodologies available
 Individual meetings with research supervisors via Breeze or on campus
Assessment methods
Assessment by SAQs, essays, reports, case studies, research papers, presentations, group exercises
and dissertation
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1 apply skills of ICT and research in the identification, retrieval, analysis and evaluation of resources
related to property and make effective use of appropriate technology in the property development
process including Auto CAD.
D2 apply skills of oral and written communication as follows:
 the preparation of clear, fully evidenced and referenced reports and case studies in unbiased
and objective form
 collaboration with cohort and supervisors in order to communicate, reflect upon and critically
evaluate ideas and proposals
D3 employ enhanced skills of teamwork, negotiation and self reliance in group situations
D4 utilise e-learning skills developed in the programme to aid decision making related to standard and
unpredictable complex problems arising in the workplace and also to assist career progression and
lifelong learning.
D5 apply planning and time management skills necessary for undertaking a major project which can
be applied to a workplace situation
D6 plan and complete a major study that is underpinned by a critical awareness and appraisal of
property development and facilitated by e-learning techniques and independent scholarship
Teaching and Learning Methods
 Integration of effective use of electronic distance learning and face to face interaction
between the students, the course team and other contributors to the course.
 Electronic learning materials which offer directed study through a series of subject sections
and section-assessment questions (SAQs)
 An introduction to planned approaches to research problem identification and alternative
research methodologies available
 Individual meetings with research supervisors via Breeze or on campus
Assessment methods
Assessment by SAQs, essays, reports, case studies, research papers, presentations, group exercises
and dissertation
13. Programme Structures
Level
Level 7
Module
Code
BN4509
BN4508
Module Title
Dissertation
Research Methods
14. Awards and Credits
Credit
rating
40
20
MSc Property Development
with pass/merit/distinction
Final award
The MSc comprises nine
level 4 modules which
includes the Stage 1 and
Stage 2 modules
In total 180 credits must be
achieved
Level 7
BN4513
BN4514
BN4504
BN4506
BN4510
BN4518
BN4530
Level 7
BN4525
BN4511
BN4512
Economics and Marketing
Management of the Development
Process
Option : select one of the following :
European Competition and
Procurement
Environmental Law
Contemporary Construction
Procurement
Health and Safety Law and
Management
Risk Assessment and Management
Property Information
Development Appraisal and
Finance
Law of Property Development
20
20
Postgraduate Diploma in
Property Development
with pass/merit/distinction
20
(Exit Award)
20
20
20
Stage 2 comprises six level
four modules which includes
the Stage 1 modules.
20
In total, 120 credits must be
achieved.
20
20
Postgraduate Certificate in
Property Development
with pass/merit/distinction
(Exit Award)
20
Stage 1 comprises three
level four modules.
In total, 60 credits must be
achieved.
15. Personal Development Planning
The course includes access to an individual electronic portfolio which allows the student to plan and
record their achievements. This is available on elearn. The student will be able to complete a
reflective analysis of the skills obtained on completion of each module before progressing to the next
module on the programme.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
1.1
General
The requirements for admissions shall be in accordance with the Regulations set out in the
University's Admissions Policy.
Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
Applicants must be able to provide evidence of English Language competence and an IELTS score of
6.5 (or equivalent) and comply with one of the following three entry criteria



A good first honours degree in a property, construction or other related discipline
Professional qualification deemed to be equivalent to RICS, CIOB, MICE, RIBA or any other
equivalent qualification relating to property or construction disciplines.
Hold a senior position within a construction or construction related organisation and possess
extensive industrial/professional experience at an appropriate level. In addition two written
references will be required and the applicant will be interviewed with a view to assessing
suitability for the course
Entry to the Programme of Study with Accreditation of Prior Learning and / or Experience
Applicants with suitable previous qualifications and/or experience may be exempt from a maximum of
two modules of Stage 1. The policy of APL and Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is
based on current University procedures and published guidelines. Applications for accreditation of
prior learning, whether based on previous experience or certification of previous studies, will be
considered on an individual basis.
Non-cognate entrants
Non-cognate entrants will be required to successfully complete a bridging course module BN3518
17. Key sources of information about the programme





University Prospectus via the University’s Course Enquiries or Home Web Page on
http://www.uclan.ac.uk
Programme Factsheets and indicative content/syllabus,
Teaching learning and assessment methods of each module can be found on the School’s Home
Web Page http://www/uclan.ac.uk/builtenv
More detailed information can be found in Module Guides and Student Handbooks provided to
students.
Course Leader
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and
understanding
Subject-specific
Skills
Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal
development
Thinking Skills
STAGE
3 (L7)
STAGE
2 (L7)
STAGE
1 (L7)
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
BN3518 Building Construction &
Design
BN4525 Property Information
Development Appraisal and
BN4511 Finance
BN4512 Law of Property Development
BN4513 Economics and Marketing
Management of the
BN4514 Development Process
Contemporary Construction
BN4510 Procurement
European Competition and
BN4504 Procurement
BN4506 Environmental Law
Health and Safety Law and
BN4518 Management
Risk Assessment and
BN4530 Management
BN4508 Research Methods
BN4509 Dissertation
Optional
bridging
module
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP




COMP


























O




O
O








O




O
COMP
COMP















