Last modified: 18 Dec 2025 14:16
This course adopts a project-based approach and uses a case study site to consider: the development and construction processes, including legal, physical and ownership constraints; the planning, conservation and sustainability contexts; assessing demand, market trends and marketing; the financing of development; and appraisal techniques for acquisition, sale or valuation, including sensitivity analysis.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
|
||
This course is focused on the property development process and takes you through all of the aspects which have to be considered to achieve a successful development. You will be introduced to the theories and principles of development and to the appropriate sources of information and data. You will study the principles of planning and research the relevant planning policies for a specific site. In groups, you will produce proposals for the development of this real-life site in Aberdeen. You will analyse the current property market and assess market trends to identify potentially viable schemes. You will carry out development appraisals and sensitivity testing. This covers professional competences assessed by the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in commercial real estate.
In this course you will also conside topics such as alternative sources of finance for development and the challenges of creating sustainable development.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 31 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback via MyAberdeen. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will be able to gather, interpret and analyse data to produce reasoned advice and communicate this effectively. |
| Procedural | Apply | Students will be able to apply the theoretical principles of property development to a case study site. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 38 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback via MyAberdeen. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will be able to gather, interpret and analyse data to produce reasoned advice and communicate this effectively. |
| Procedural | Apply | Students will be able to apply the theoretical principles of property development to a case study site. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will evaluate key issues in professional practice and exemplify the standards expected of a real estate professional today. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 35 | Feedback Weeks | 35 | |
| Feedback |
10-minute Oral Presentation. Verbal feedback immediately after the presentation. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will be able to gather, interpret and analyse data to produce reasoned advice and communicate this effectively. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will evaluate key issues in professional practice and exemplify the standards expected of a real estate professional today. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback via MyAberdeen. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Evaluate | Students will identify challenges in global, national or local real estate markets and evaluate the impact on property development. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
2,000-word take home exam. Open book assessment- choose 2 out of 4 short answer questions. Written feedback through MyAberdeen. |
|||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
|
|
||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Procedural | Evaluate | Students will identify challenges in global, national or local real estate markets and evaluate the impact on property development. |
| Procedural | Apply | Students will be able to apply the theoretical principles of property development to a case study site. |
| Reflection | Evaluate | Students will evaluate key issues in professional practice and exemplify the standards expected of a real estate professional today. |
| Procedural | Analyse | Students will be able to gather, interpret and analyse data to produce reasoned advice and communicate this effectively. |
We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.
