Real Estate and Property Development
Real estate and property development is a professionally oriented discipline concerned with the creation, management, and investment in land and buildings. It encompasses property valuation, development appraisal, planning and land use, construction, sustainability, investment analysis, and the commercial and legal frameworks within which the property market operates. The sector ranges from individual residential transactions to major commercial developments worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and careers within it are varied, commercially significant, and often highly rewarding.
At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time accredited programme develops the commercial, managerial, technical, and creative skills needed to launch a career in real estate. The degree includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, making it particularly well structured for professional development alongside academic learning. The sandwich year takes you into a real property or development context, where you build professional skills and industry networks.
The year abroad adds an international perspective on real estate markets and development practice, which is increasingly relevant as investment and development activity crosses national borders. You will study property law, planning and development economics, valuation, construction technology, project management, and financial analysis, covering the full cycle from site identification through to completed development and investment.
The degree is accredited, providing recognition from the relevant professional bodies and a route towards professional qualification. You will develop the ability to appraise opportunities, manage projects, and understand the economic and regulatory forces shaping the built environment.
Graduates pursue careers as development surveyors, project managers, property agents, investment analysts, planning consultants, and facilities managers. Many pursue professional qualifications through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Postgraduate study in real estate, planning, or construction management is also a natural next step.