Real Estate Development and Management with Placement Year
With placement
Four year
September 2025
In a nutshell
Real estate professionals understand commercial and private property sectors, and confidently display their knowledge to help clients bring new developments to market. Prepare for a rewarding future career in this fast-paced sector with our BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management degree course.
Industry-focused curriculum
Designed to get you industry-ready, the course explores the processes involved in real-estate delivery, and the strategic management techniques used by professionals. Topics covered include valuation, planning processes, commercial building construction, development appraisals and feasibility studies.
Accredited, engaging learning
We've shaped the learning experience so that you gain relevant knowledge and technical skills, but also transferable career skills that are highly-sought by industry. We're proud that our Real Estate Development and Management degree course is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Learn more about studying real estate, explore course modules and speak to the course team, by attending our next Open Day
You will:
- Learn key skills in areas such as valuation, development, investment and management
- Gain knowledge of the economic, legal, technical and managerial aspects of property and real estate
- Develop industry competencies and the confidence to progress
- Learn and utilise the digital tools and technologies needed in your future career
students accepted
This is for you if...
You're interested in developing, advancing and shaping the future of the built environment
You want to study an industry-focused course with guest lectures and live projects
You want to build practical skills using software used by built environment professionals
All about the course
Course Delivery
Delivered over four years, including an industry placement, our BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management degree course combines theoretical knowledge with the application of professional skills and competencies.
During your studies, you will learn through academic seminars and tutorials. You will also experience project work with other built environment students, mirroring the multidisciplinary approaches used in modern property and construction:
- During year one, you will develop a solid framework from which to progress, as you explore the legal, economic and technical aspects of real estate surveying
- As you progress to year two, you will integrate planning, urban regeneration and property asset management. At the end of year two, you can also start your industry placement year
- In your final year, you will expand your knowledge into areas such as conservation and strategic planning. You will also experience multi-disciplinary projects and complete your final research-based project as you demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have developed
Learn more about the course modules in the section below.
Learning Experience
Our experienced academic team draws on strong construction industry links to ensure you a stimulating range of external guest lecturers, placements and career networking opportunities. You will benefit from field visits, practitioner-led lectures and real-world problem-solving work developed for and by industry.
Located at the heart of the largest property and construction market outside of London, Salford is a great place to study real estate. We take advantage of our amazing location to visit live and recently completed development projects in Salford, Manchester and the North West.
Collaboration is core to our values, so we strive to embed this throughout your studies. You will experience group projects that will build your confidence and capabilities in team working, problem-solving and communication - all desirable skills for real-world property and real estate careers.
Industry Placement
This pathway includes an industry placement year between years two and three. Although you will be responsible for securing your placement, our tutors will support you in finding a role, and monitor your progress throughout.
Industry placements are an excellent way to enhance your CV, gain hands-on work experience and build industry connections. We often find that placement students achieve higher final year grades.
Economics and Management
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic economic concepts and principles of the economic environment in which the construction and property industry operates and knowledge of management theories in the construction context. You will be able to discuss the key role of the construction industry in the economy, current economic issues and management challenges in the construction and property context.
Introduction to Law and Regulatory Frameworks
You will be introduced to English law and relevant statutory requirements for studying for vocational qualifications in the construction and property professions. The module also introduces you to the workings of the English legal system, to the law relating to contracts and to the regulatory framework affecting the use, management and development of land, in particular, planning, building control and the CDM regulations.
New
Introduction to Valuation
This module introduces you to the 5 conventional methods of valuation and how to apply the correct method to various types of property. You will become familiar with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ “Red Book” and follow the relevant guidance laid out to allow you to competently complete formal valuation reports for residential property. This module will help to enhance your professional report writing skills and teach you the mathematics behind property valuation, as well as becoming familiar with the property market and the factors that instigate change.
New
Introduction to Planning and Development
This module will provide an introduction to the current planning and property development processes in the UK. This will include a review of the origins and evolution of planning legislation and policies, the development management system, and an appraisal of how decisions are made for different land uses for property development schemes.
Building Construction and Defects
This module aims to provide you with the ability to understand how buildings are constructed and what defects are common given the method of construction. You will also understand how this affects the value of the property. Within this module, you will have the opportunity to develop building construction and pathology knowledge and develop the ability to undertake critical analysis, self-reflection and personal development.
Surveying Practice
This module covers the basic principles and computer software that you will need to understand to enter into a career in the property industry. You will become familiar with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and begin to understand what your preferred pathway into chartership will be.
The module will also help to enhance your academic writing, and you will learn how to undertake referencing at degree level. You will also become conversant in the mandatory competency requirements of the RICS.
Valuation
This module further enhances your valuation skills, allowing application of the 5 conventional methods of valuation studied at level 4 to a range of complex and in-depth calculations. You will also learn to value leasehold interests in property for a variety of purposes, such as surrendering a lease or regearing a leasehold interest. This module will help to enhance your professional report writing skills and teach you how to use Parry’s Investment Tables to undertake any valuations you may be carrying out.
Property Management and Lease Advisory
This module will provide you with a good knowledge, understanding and practicable application to enable you to effectively manage, maintain, refurbish, let and dispose of a range of different types of properties, in either the private or public sectors. It will facilitate an appreciation and application of the principle legislation and current professional guidance and practice, which is required for effective property management, lease covenant compliance and to maximise opportunities for increasing asset value.
Planning, Conservation and Urban Regeneration
This module will provide you with a good knowledge and understanding of the evolution, development, objectives and practicable application of planning and urban regeneration legislation, policies, and processes in the UK at present time. This will include identification of the main stakeholders, appraisal of the key challenges that are faced and an analysis of the proposed reforms for the delivery of property development and urban renewal schemes in the future.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
The purpose of this module is for you to identify and appraise the current relationships between real estate, and property development policies and practice. You will be able to assess the impact that these may have on the natural and built environment, in context of our pursuit for a sustainable future.
Development Appraisal and Viability
The purpose of this module is to provide you with a good working knowledge and understanding of the aims and objectives of delivering a property development scheme. You will be able to identify opportunities, undertake feasibility studies and development appraisals to ascertain the viability of a proposed project or site. You will be required to understand a variety of funding options and how to apply them dependent on your client’s needs.
Property Law
This module further enhances your reporting and client advisory skills, allowing application of the main legal principles studied to a range of complex and in-depth problems. You will also learn to apply relevant case law relating to property for a variety of scenarios, such as trespass, nuisance, negligence, party wall matters and a variety of legal issues that often arise in property transactions. This module will help to enhance your professional report writing skills and capacity to act in an advisory manner. You will also address client care and diversity skills.
Real Estate Project
This module aims to develop previously studied real estate disciplines by applying your knowledge to a composite project scenario, which requires a number of tasks to be undertaken by various disciplines included within each team. Within this, you'll have the opportunity to develop team working and client care skills by gaining an understanding of how disciplines within real estate interact. You'll also develop the ability to undertake personal development planning at the start of your career as a built environment practitioner.
Infrastructure Development and Spatial Planning
The aim of this module is to explore the current purpose and application of spatial planning policies and processes in the UK and to appraise the role and delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, in a social, economic, political, and environmental context.
Advanced Valuation
This module provides you with the underlying principles for advanced and applied valuation including complex and contemporary valuation methods. You will cover valuation concepts such as discounted cashflow and shortcut discounted cashflow techniques. We will explore risk and sensitivity analysis and how this can affect investment worth. Modern portfolio theory is integral to managing an investment portfolio and this along with other relevant concepts and principles will form the basis of the requirements of becoming a registered valuer. Taxation is also approached in this module to ensure that students are aware of tax implications in property.
Discipline Research Project
The Discipline Research Project (DRP) module is an opportunity for you to independently research an area within your discipline that interests you with the help of a dedicated research supervisor. The module output is a problem focused literature review in this chosen area. The research report is based upon secondary data (i.e. material already published) and does not involve the collection of primary data (i.e. interviews or questionnaires for example).
Strategic Asset Management
This module explores the elements of Asset Management in a strategic context which covers the decisions made by organisations in the compilation of strategies for the effective use, management and planning of their real estate assets. This considers the processes involved for such decisions from the Business Plan to developing the Options Appraisal through to the Business Case which takes into account the whole life costings, risks/benefit profiling and strategic direction. The module also covers the importance of Human Resources to the Real Estate decision from the public and private sector drivers.
Statutory Valuation
This module explores the elements of the various areas of Statutory Valuation. The application of legislation to valuation scenarios in compulsory purchase, rating and leasehold enfranchisement will be studied in some detail. The relationship between statutory provision, conventional valuation and practical implementation is examined. The various elements of statutory valuation are taught as individual components within the module with emphasis drawn on the synergy between the various valuation techniques.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Frequently asked questions
What is a placement year?
A placement year is typically taken between the second and third year of a three-year programme. It is also referred to as a 'year in industry' or a ‘sandwich year’. A placement offers the opportunity to put your learned skills and knowledge into practice and develop them in a real-life work setting. Placements are often paid, so you receive income while carrying out the year before going back to studying the third year of your degree.
What is real estate development and project management?
Real estate development and project management encompasses the processes involved in real-estate delivery, and the strategic management techniques used by professionals. These processes include valuation, planning processes, commercial building construction, development appraisals, feasibility studies, and more.
What does a real estate degree involve?
By undertaking this programme you can expect to gain specific industry knowledge and skills in areas such as valuation, development, investment and management. You will also gain contextual industry knowledge including the economic, legal, technical and managerial aspects of property and real estate. There will also be opportunities to build on technical skills sought-after in the industry.
Are real estate and property developers paid well?
A career in real estate and property development can be very financially rewarding. Graduates could expect to receive starting salaries of around £26,000.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our degree courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, and industry leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to become unstoppable in your career.
Facilities
Experience a modern learning environment at our Peel Park campus, featuring accessible lecture theatres and AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries, with access to industry journals, databases, and simulation software. Online, you will experience Blackboard Ultra, our sophisticated virtual learning environment.
As a real estate student, you will learn in our carefully-designed study spaces that provide an inspiring environment to develop ideas, work collaboratively and share best practice.
Industry Focus
As a real estate student, you might also encounter our Energy House Laboratories during your studies.
We are a leading centre for energy research and industry collaboration. We support the construction industry in tackling climate change by finding ways to use energy more efficiently in our built environment.
Through our pioneering research agenda, and world-class facilities, we help businesses understand how effective their products and services are in lowering consumers’ carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
This course is designed to help you to develop a range of personal and professional skills which will make you highly-employable. Once you progress and complete our full BSc (Hons) Real Estate Development and Management degree, you'll graduate with diverse and rewarding careers opportunities ahead of you.
The built environment is one of the world’s largest employment sectors providing a wealth of opportunities in the design and development of cities and urban development. With an extensive understanding of the property and real estate industry, you'll be well equipped to pursue a variety of roles.
Built Environment at Salford currently have a 95% graduate employment rate. Our property and real estate alumni have progressed to work with national property organisations, including CBRE, DTZ, Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills. Others have chosen roles working with local authorities and housing associations.
FURTHER STUDY
You might find that you want to learn more about the built environment. Building on our expertise, we offer a range of postgraduate courses that can take your interests and career opportunities further. Salford graduates and alumni who apply for our postgraduate courses also qualify to receive a generous fees discount.
BIM and Digital Built Environments (MSc)
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
In addition to our academic entry requirements, we also look for a positive attitude, an enthusiasm for learning and an interest in teamwork in each applicant. Possessing these characteristics will not only help you to fulfil your potential at university, but will be essential for a successful career in the built environment.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications.
If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course, or the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree.
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
UCAS tariff points
104 points
A-level
104 points
BTEC National Diploma
MMM
BTEC Higher National Diploma
Pass in a related subject for entry to level 5. Related subjects include Architecture, Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Studies, Estate Management
Foundation Degree
Pass in a related subject for entry to level 5. Related subjects include Architecture, Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Studies, Estate Management
Scottish Highers
104 points from Higher Level
Irish Leavers Certificate
104 points from Higher Level
International Baccalaureate
29 points
Access to HE
104 points
Other qualifications
Degree in cognate subject for level 5 entry
International students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we receive your application, we'll assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).
Please contact Admissions for further information.
HOW MUCH?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535.00per year |
Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650.00per year |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
International student scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. We offer a range of scholarships worth between £3,000-£5,000.
Learn more about our latest international scholarships.