Real Estate Development and Planning
Real estate development and planning sits at the junction of property markets, built environments, and the regulatory systems that shape how land and buildings are used. It is a discipline concerned with the physical transformation of places, asking how development projects are conceived, financed, planned, and delivered, and what the social, economic, and environmental consequences of those decisions are. Understanding this field requires knowledge of property valuation, planning law, urban economics, design principles, and the political processes through which land use is negotiated and approved.
At the University of Reading, a university with a well-established tradition in land and property education, this three-year full-time programme also includes a year abroad, offering you the opportunity to study real estate and planning in an international context. You will explore how different countries approach urban development and land use regulation, broadening your understanding of the global property sector. Back at Reading you will study the economics of development, planning policy and practice, property finance, sustainability in the built environment, and the professional skills needed to work in surveying, development, or planning consultancy.
The typical entry tariff of 136 points reflects the programme's academic expectations.
Real estate development and planning graduates are in demand across a range of professional settings. Many go on to work in property development companies, planning consultancies, local authorities, housing associations, investment funds, and the public sector. The professional pathways from this programme include routes towards chartered status with bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Royal Town Planning Institute, and many graduates pursue structured professional development after graduation to achieve those qualifications.
Postgraduate study in real estate, planning, or urban design is also a common route for those who want to specialise further or enter academia.