Developer Info

At a glance

• Internationally recognised research carried out by our Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Institute
• Professionally accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Part time option for students already in employment
• Graduates from the course will additionally be eligible for consideration for membership of the IRRV (The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuers)
• Career opportunities in leading UK and international surveying firms, property companies, developers and public bodies

Course overview

This programme is ideal if you are interested in working in the property sector, with a particular focus on the acquisition, development and valuation of land and buildings.

This master’s degree will develop your ability to think analytically, yet creatively, at a strategic level in the context of the commercial built environment. The programme has a strong commercial focus, and will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to formulate design and evaluate development proposals.

The course has been developed in partnership with principal surveying practices and enjoys established links with employers in both the private and public sector, ensuring that it is responsive to the changing needs of industry, government, local communities and professional practice. It delivers not only a comprehensive academic knowledge base but the essential professional and transferable skills required by employers.

The programme has a high standing both academically and professionally and the quality of the programme is recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) who have selected LJMU as a ‘partnering establishment’ for accreditation purposes. This means you will enjoy full exemption (excepting the Assessment of Professional Competence) from the RICS educational requirements after graduating with an MSc in Commercial Property Development, and you will be eligible for direct entrance on to the RICS APC professional training programme.

A diploma or a certificate in Commercial Property Development is an available award for anyone not wishing to complete the full Masters programme or as a fall back award. These awards, however, do not provide full exemption from the RICS educational requirements and do not entitle the graduate to enrol for the Assessment of Professional Competence.

The School of the Built Environment is recognised as a leading contributor of applied property based research and continued professional development blending traditional built environment fields of research with innovative and highly advanced areas of property and development.  The Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Centre (BEST) has been awarded Institute status in recognition of its outstanding work and is supported internationally by the EU, UK and USA Ministry of Defence, Carbon Trust and Technology Strategy Board as well as by industrial partners including United Utilities, NHS, Tarmac and Taylor Woodrow.

The School also enjoys a strong record in business partnering with several local, national and international organisations, particularly through the DTI Knowledge Transfer Partnership Scheme. These projects are aimed at adding value to the business through the delivery of innovative solutions and the provision of a creative working environment.

Why study this course at LJMU?

The MSc in Commercial Property Development at LJMU is designed to cater for students from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds, with the objective of providing the sound, up-to-date and forward looking knowledge base required for a successful career in the surveying profession, together with the essential technical and personal skills required by the modern built environment professional. The course is structured as a potential fast-track conversion course aimed at holders of non-cognate and semi-cognate first degrees and assumes no prior knowledge of property valuation or development.

Introduction to the School

The School of the Built Environment is one of the leading providers of postgraduate teaching, learning and business focused research in property and construction. Its mission is the provision of high quality education, scholarship, research and enterprise activities to help generate business success and to create a more sustainable built environment. A fundamental philosophy underpinning the School’s study and research programmes is the need to embed a critical understanding of the issues driving the sustainability agenda to ensure graduates can contribute to the development of long-term sustainable solutions.

The School works in close partnership with industry and practice through scholarship, research, consultancy and the provision for lifelong learning, ensuring that post-graduate education is responsive to the changing needs of industry, government, local communities and professional practice. Our courses deliver a comprehensive and forward looking academic knowledge base, embedded in the professional and transferable skills required by industry.
 
The School of the Built Environment is recognised as a leading contributor of enhanced applied and ‘blue skies’ knowledge blending traditional built environment fields of research with innovative and highly advanced areas of engineering.

The Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Research Centre (BEST) has been awarded Institute status in recognition of its outstanding work and is supported internationally by the EU, UK and USA Ministry of Defence, Carbon Trust and Technology Strategy Board as well as by industrial partners including United Utilities, NHS, Tarmac and Taylor Woodrow. 

The School also enjoys a strong record in business partnering with several local, national and international organisations, particularly through the DTI Knowledge Transfer Partnership Scheme. These projects are aimed at adding value to the business through the delivery of innovative solutions and the provision of a creative working environment.

Staff research interests

Research covers: Environmental Technologies, Construction Management and Economics, Material Technology, Facilities Management & Property Planning and Radio Frequency and Microwave Technologies. Example of project areas include: Biofuel production  from waste; water and wastewater treatments; sensor technology for non-invasive measurement and building and structure health monitoring; wave and flood effects on buildings; materials engineering; Near Zero carbon building and environment reduction.

How will I be assessed?

Students are assessed by means of a balanced combination of examinations and coursework. Assessment methods will, however, vary within each module and range from examination, assignments, essays and problem solving scenarios, to projects and case study based tasks.

What do past and present students say about the course?

“The course was cleverly structured throughout and the modules were structured to reflect up-to-date changes and realistic scenarios within the commercial property field. All of the tutors are very approachable and their commitment to teaching as well as their expertise in the commercial property field is clear.”

Andrew White, MSc Commercial Property Development graduate

Other related courses

MSc Commercial Property Management

Entry requirements

An Honours degree with a minimum 2.1 classification from an approved university or a degree from a university together with such relevant professional experience as deemed appropriate by the School. 

Non-UK applicants will be expected to have demonstrated competence in English language equivalent to a minimum of IELTS 6.5.  Applicants who have studied and successfully achieved a UK degree within 24 months of the start of the MSc are exempt from this requirement.

Will I be interviewed?

Fees information

Please contact the Faculty of Technology and Environment for up to date information regarding fees. The Faculty can be contacted by email at taeadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk or telephone 0151 231 2777

Financial support

Securing funding is one of the main hurdles you may have to face when considering Postgraduate study. However there is help available and you may be able to apply for funding from the sources below.

Loans

This will normally be from a bank. The most popular of these is a Professional and Career Development Loan (PCDL). These loans are from £300 to £10,000 in value and can be used to cover up to 80% of your course fees. Further Information from www.direct.gov.uk and look for PCDL

Charities and Trusts

Trusts and charities can offer assistance to some students. Eligibility for these trusts and charities vary enormously. Your local library will have a section of books and directories of grant making trusts.

Research Councils

Research councils may provide support for recognised postgraduate courses. Their websites offers useful information regarding the support and funding opportunities on offer. Competition for this type of funding can be very strong. For more information about Research Councils visit: www.rcuk.ac.uk

Statutory funding

You need to be aware that most PG courses do not attract statutory funding. The ones that do attract statutory support (grants and/or loans) that we offer at LJMU are:

• PGCE courses , for more information please vist www.directgov.co.uk and www.tda.gov.uk
• MA social work for which an NHS bursary is payable to some students. For more information please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
• PG dip in Architecture

Advice and support at LJMU

LJMU offers a Postgraduate bursary of £500 to students who go from an undergraduate course to study a taught PG course. For further information and eligibility see http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/feesandfunding/117585.htm

LJMU employs a team of staff that are experts in fees and funding who can offer advice based upon your personal circumstances. You can contact them on 0151 904 6056/6057, or email studentadvice@ljmu.ac.uk for guidance and support.

How to apply

Please apply via the online application form

LJMU's Admissions policy is in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy and applications are welcome from all candidates who fulfil the entry criteria. The university has a commitment to equality of opportunity and welcomes application from everyone regardless of age, disability, race or sex. The University is committed to widening participation and therefore will actively consider applicants who do not have a relevant degree but who are able to provide satisfactory evidence of their knowledge in the area. All applicants will be considered by the Recruitment and Selection Panel, if shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend for an interview.

International students

LJMU offers an extensive support system through its international office and study centre. An equivalence to the normal entry requirements is needed for entry. Students must also demonstrate a proficiency in communicating through English, for example with an IELTS tests or equivalent. Please note that because of UK visa restrictions, International students are only permitted to study on a full-time basis. Please contact LJMU’s International Team by visiting www.ljmu.ac.uk/international for more information and advice.

Further information

Please contact the Faculty of Technology and Environment on:

tel: 0151 231 2777
fax: 0151 231 2879
email: taeadmissions@ljmu.ac.uk

If you have any queries relating to LJMU or university life in general please contact:

Course Enquiries
Tel: +44(0)151 231 5090
Email: courses@ljmu.ac.uk
Web: www.ljmu.ac.uk

Employment and careers

Many graduates have found employment with leading UK and international surveying firms, property companies, developers and public bodies. Many employers can offer you excellent positions with the opportunity to complete the full range of training required for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence. After qualifying professionally you may have the opportunity to become a partner in an established surveying practice or go on to run your own practice.

Not all graduates enter the surveying profession directly, but with their property expertise have followed a different career path into the large accountancy companies, law firms, banking and insurance.  The knowledge and skills our graduates offer has been seen as a major benefit to the overall service provided by these non-surveying companies.

As a postgraduate student you will be able to take full advantage of the extensive range of advice and guidance available in our World of Work Careers Centre, including our Ready for Work training courses, which cover everything from interview skills to preparing for assessment centre tests.

LJMU also has a dedicated Centre for Entrepreneurship, offering business advice and start-up funding, to students and graduates interested in setting up their own companies or working freelance.

Our World of Work Programme – endorsed by FTSE 100 companies and leading business organisations – offers you the chance to get an additional certificate proving to potential employers that you have the skills and experience they are looking for. No other university in the UK or internationally, offers students the chance to develop these skills and organisations backing the scheme include the Confederation of British Industry, United Utilities, Sony, Siemens, Peugeot Citroen and Marks and Spencer.

LJMU offers a superb environment for postgraduate study and top level research.

Whether you are studying on a taught master's course or embarking on a research degree, LJMU offers you a supportive, flexible academic environment, well-structured programmes and round-the-clock access to extensive resources.

Our research environment is rated as 'world-leading' in a majority of our subjects and all of our postgraduate programmes are taught by academics actively involved in research or consultancy projects with business and industry.

It is this combination of academic expertise and 'real world' experience that ensures LJMU's courses have real currency with potential employers and why over 95% of our postgraduates are in work or further study six months after they graduate (HESA 2010).

We believe this expertise – coupled with world-class academic standards – 75% of LJMU's research is rated as internationally important – puts us in a league of our own.

To find out more about our postgraduate courses and research opportunities plus the range of facilities and support we offer, click on the links opposite.

Why Liverpool?

Liverpool is a fantastic student city, bursting with opportunities and lots of things to do: a legendary music scene that's bigger than just the Beatles, a city centre bursting with clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes. Plus award-winning shopping facilities, museums, galleries and theatres, not to mention two Premier League football clubs, golf courses, beautiful parks and outstanding countryside a few miles up the motorway.

The city recently won Trip Advisor’s Best Nightlife Destination Award 2011, beating Manchester, London, Glasgow and Brighton. The city has also achieved Purple Flag accreditation, commending Liverpool as a safe place to enjoy a night out.

Liverpool is also a city that is very supportive of all the students who live, work and study in its universities. With such a warm and hospitable culture – Liverpool is the perfect 24-hour student city.