Finance and Real Estate, MA
Introduction
Finance and Real Estate at Aberdeen is the perfect springboard to a brilliant career in the international property world. This programme combines strong business and financial skills with in-depth study of real estate markets from the perspectives of economics, investment and business at Scotland's top centre, with professional accreditation. Aberdeen graduates enjoying a strong track of employment with major international companies in the real estate world.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MA
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- NK32
In Finance, you will explore financial management, corporate and personal finance, financial institutions, derivatives and the stock market. You will analyse and evaluate financial problems and gain the practical skills to understand and use information from financial newspapers and documents. Your knowledge will grow in the dynamic, international environment of our Business School of over 40 nationalities, inspired by staff who are leaders in business practice and theory. You will learn in small classes with real-life scenarios and benefit from the input of employers and the support of dedicated careers advisers.
You will also benefit from professional training facilities, such as our Bloomberg finance lab, used by major financial services companies across the world and integrating real activity in financial markets directly into students’ courses.
Our Real Estate courses offer an exciting range of choice and flexibility, with courses focused on employability and taught by financial experts and researchers specialising in property investment and property market analysis. The course offers a route to professional accreditation and excellent preparation for a career in surveying, with a focus on commercial real estate, investment, management, valuation and development.
You will be sought after by a wide range of potential employers, including major property consultants, financial institutions, property investment or development companies and specialist research companies.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipWhat You'll Study
- Year 1
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Compulsory Courses
- Professional Skills Part 1 (PD1001)
- Academic Writing for Business (AW1003)
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This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.
- The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introductory course in microeconomics where we study the decision making of individual actors (consumers, employees, firms, governments, etc.) in an economy. Actors must make decisions about behaviours because they face scarce resources, but often they find that trading with other actors in markets can increase the wellbeing of all parties. This course models and examines the nature of these interactions, highlighting when they work well and when they fail to increase wellbeing and what might be the solution to these failures.
- Finance 1: Finance, Risk and Investment (FI1004)
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15 Credit Points
The module considers the nature and operation of investment markets, focusing on three asset classes; shares, bonds and real estate. It looks at the characteristics of these investment options in terms of their risks and returns. The module introduces basic financial mathematics: time value of money, calculation of present values and investment rates of return. Finally, it considers the role of financial institutions and regulatory bodies in personal finance, where consumers and financial markets interact.
- Accounting and Entrepreneurship (AC1517)
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15 Credit Points
The course provides an understanding of how organisations, particularly small businesses, capture, create and use accounting information both to guide their own activities and to communicate their financial performance and financial position to parties external to themselves. It develops knowledge and understanding of accounting, accounting techniques and accounting information, so that students become informed users of accounting data and information, not creators of that data and information.
- The Global Economy (EC1506)
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15 Credit Points
This course is an introductory course in macroeconomics where we study the behaviour of the economy as a whole. Whereas microeconomics focuses on individual markets, macroeconomics addresses the “big issues” such as unemployment, inflation, economic growth, and financial crises. Macroeconomics is a lively subject, full of discussion and debate, as economists and policymakers take different views on macroeconomic issues, their causes and appropriate policy responses. Issues such as: Is the economy growing? What causes unemployment and how can we reduce it? How can we avoid recessions? When is inflation a problem? Are banks lending too much?
- Understanding Property (PO1504)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to the world of the built environment, professional surveying practice and the construction industry. The first section of the course discusses the different types and characteristics of property in the UK and the different legal interests that can exist in property, why people invest in property and why and how property is developed; the second section focuses on the design and construction of buildings, the identification of defects as well their impact on the environment and relevant sustainability issues.
Optional Courses
Select a further 45 credit points from level 1 courses of choice.
- Year 2
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Compulsory Courses
- Finance 2: Business Finance (FI2004)
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15 Credit Points
The main aim of this course is to develop a sound understanding of fundamental principles underlying the theory and practice of finance, thereby providing a strong basis for further study of advanced finance theory and cognate disciplines. The course introduces students to important concepts in finance: principles of assets pricing, concept of risk and return, theory of interest rates and pricing fixed income securities, evaluation of investment project with a focus on embedded real options. It equips students with good analytical skills in order to understand the implications of financial decisions by understanding the fundamentals that govern them.
- Land and Property Economics (PO2009)
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15 Credit Points
The course will facilitate greater understanding of real estate and land markets and of the linkages between supply, demand and price. It will provide explanations of market behaviour and discuss activity patterns and outcomes with reference to specific property markets. Students will gain an understanding of the institutions that govern land use and real estate transactions and will develop skills to identify and interpret property market data in order to analyze market sectors and property types. Students will also make critical economic assessments of land use and planning policy and the methods of policy delivery.
- Land and Property Law (PO2010)
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15 Credit Points
This course considers the different legal relationships which can exist with regard to rights in land and to outline the implications of these relationships. This course is intended to enable participants:
- To understand the place of land tenure in society.
- To explain the concept of ownership and its implications.
- To describe the principal forms of subordinate right that can be carved out of land ownership.
- To identify and explain the principal restrictions on land ownership, including planning law and land reform.
- Financial Markets and Regulation (FI2501)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an understanding of the financial system, primarily from a UK perspective, introducing students to the reasons for, and nature of, financial markets and institutions before moving on to explore the need and importance of financial regulation, and investigating the causes and consequences of the recent global financial crisis. The course will introduce students to a variety of topics including the role of wholesale and retail banks, non-bank financial institutions, the debt and equity markets, and the derivative markets; market efficiency, UK and international regulation, consumer protection and market abuse.
- Understanding Statistics (PO2508)
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15 Credit Points
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of statistical concepts and methods relevant to accounting, management, finance, real estate and economics. The course is intended to enable students
i) To understand the principles of descriptive statistics, index construction, statistical inference, correlation, regression and time series analysis
ii) To apply statistical techniques to the analysis of accounting, business and economic issues and interpret findings
iii) To identify important sources of data in accounting, business and economics
- Principles of Property Valuation (PO2509)
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15 Credit Points
This course deals with the detail of why property requires to be valued and how the valuation process operates by way of the implementation of the RICS “Red Book”. The five property valuation methods are discussed via a series of lectures supplemented by tutorials/workshops in which valuation problem-solving tasks are discussed, with a focus on the investment method and the critique of traditional approaches. Practical valuation exercises are undertaken, which include the inspection and measurement of property and the analysis of comparable evidence.
- Building Skills and Experience for Career Success (PD2002)
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This course, which is designed for level 2 students and above, is studied entirely online. Topics include career planning, finding work experience and articulating your skills and experiences in applications and interviews. Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’. The course takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Optional Courses
Select a further 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 3
-
Compulsory Courses
Plus 30 credits from level 3 courses in Finance.
- Applied Valuation (PO3006)
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30 Credit Points
This course applies the principles of valuation taught at level 2 to more complex real world examples. Topics covered include rent reviews, compulsory purchase, property investment, property development and national and local taxation. Numeracy and analytical skills are further developed along with expertise in the use of Excel. In addition, the course also covers professional surveying practice, including ethics, and stimulates students to consider their career path by requiring students to prepare a CV and prepare for a mock interview.
- Real Estate Development & International Investment (PO3513)
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30 Credit Points
The course covers two key aspects of real estate, namely development and international investment. While development is an intrinsically local activity, the drivers of demand to occupy and invest in real estate are increasingly global. Thus, the course first deals with the process of development and then provides the context of globalisation of economies and real estate markets, which underlies the demand for real estate occupation and investment. The course involves a UK field trip.
- Corporate Financial Theory (FI3009)
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15 Credit Points
This course is designed to equip students with a thorough understanding of corporate finance theory, enabling them to grasp the implications of corporate finance decisions comprehensively. It aims to deepen students' knowledge of the fundamental theories underpinning corporate finance while enhancing their intellectual capabilities. Through the course, students will gain insights into corporate financing choices and their interaction with financial markets, thereby solidifying their theoretical foundation for analysing and understanding corporate behaviour and performance.
- Applied Corporate Finance (FI3008)
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15 Credit Points
Applied Corporate Finance provides students with the knowledge about the fundamental theories and emerging issues in corporate finance. The course introduces the issues facing a corporate manager and equip students with the analytical skills necessary for evaluating corporate financial policies. Important issues covered by the course such as cost of capital, value of debt and its associated risks, leasing, credit risk analysis, management of working capital, will be explored from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
- Year 4
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Compulsory Courses
In term one, you must choose either:
- Financial Strategy and Investment Management (FI4002)
- Empirical Methods in Finance (FI4002)
In term two:
- Real Estate Portfolio Investment (PO4510)
- Financial Strategy and Investment Management (FI4002)
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30 Credit Points
Covering the intellectually and commercially fertile ground at the accountancy/finance interface. Considering financial analysis from both theoretical and practical angles. Do you need to understand financial reporting to be an investor? How should we assess the success of an acquisition? Why do accountants think mergers don’t exist? How do companies decide on financing strategies? Does corporate governance and ethics really matter – do share prices react to it? These are some of the questions we will address alongside using DataStream and the ThomsonReuters Eikon system. The course might give you some ideas for your dissertation too.
- Empirical Methods in Finance (FI4003)
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30 Credit Points
This course aims to provide an overview of quantitative methods needed to conduct empirical research in finance and financial economics. The course is intended to enable students
i) To develop knowledge and understanding of the theoretical practical approaches to quantitative methods in finance.
ii) To develop the practical quantitative skills to equip students for dissertations in finance and for on-going work in the finance area.
iii) To develop intellectual skills by understanding of the appropriate use of statistical techniques for various financial problems.
iv) To develop the ability to write extended research reports on original topics in finance
- Real Estate Portfolio Investment (PO4510)
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30 Credit Points
The course introduces students to concepts of portfolio management and recent developments regarding real estate investment vehicles. The course takes a financial economics viewpoint and places real estate investments within this context. The course covers such important aspects as securitization of initially illiquid real estate assets, the management of building portfolios and the use of index swap contracts for risk management purposes. The course discusses also real option theory and applies it to land development and the pricing of lease contracts.
Optional Courses
Plus select one of the following:
- Real Estate Dissertation (PO4506)
- Dissertation in Finance (FI4501)
NOTE: If you choose to take Dissertation in Finance (FI4501) you must also choose the following:
- Responsible Real Estate Asset Management (PO4009)
Plus further credit points from level 4 courses in Finance and Real Estate to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.
- Responsible Real Estate Asset Management (PO4009)
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30 Credit Points
This course takes an experiential learning approach to develop knowledge and experience gained in previous real estate courses. The course is structured primarily around workshops, in which students will critically evaluate typical problems encountered when managing a real estate portfolio and make decisions which will feed forward into their portfolio. Managing responsibly – considering the social, environmental and economic impact of your actions - is at the heart of this course.
- Real Estate Dissertation (PO4506)
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30 Credit Points
The dissertation can be a rewarding, interesting and challenging exercise, with a process that differs from taught courses. With self-directed study, you are introduced to the process of independent research starting with finding a topic that is both academically interesting and can be covered in the given time frame. In addition to utilising skills acquired during previous years of study, it is an opportunity to develop new skills useful for future employment, such as writing reports. Your dissertation will be judged on evidence of competence in independent research. The greater the degree of competence, the higher the mark awarded.
- Dissertation in Finance (FI4501)
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30 Credit Points
All Accountancy and Finance students must undertake a dissertation. Students taking a joint degree may undertake the dissertation in either discipline, but not both. It is designed to show that you are able to:
Carry out a substantial piece of research on a chosen subject without close supervision
Critically analyse and evaluate work carried out by others
Reach your own conclusions based upon your analysis and evaluation of relevant evidence, whether this is prior research only or prior research coupled with your own research.
Write-up the results of your work in a clear, coherent and logical way.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
- Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
- Written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Finance and Real Estate?
- An excellent teaching environment, committed to the needs of industry, which integrates research into teaching, enables transferable skills and develops intellectual skills on a range of contemporary economic problems.
- ACREEF (the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance) headed by leading international petroleum economist Professor Alex Kemp, adviser to the Scottish Government.
- CELMR (the Centre for European Labour Market Research) leading research in education, skills and labour markets so topical today.
- Benefit from professional training facilities such as the Bloomberg finance lab which is used by major financial services companies across the world and integrating real activity in financial markets directly into our students’ courses.
- Opportunities to use real development sites, professional databases or work placements for assessed projects
- Third year students have the opportunity to visit London to meet with Industry experts and learn from some of the world’s leading Real Estate companies.
- The spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, a top-class study environment with state-of-the-art technology and a first-class collection of reference works in business and management.
- A packed campus programme of student, public and business events, seminars and invited speakers which welcomes internationally acclaimed public figures, business leaders, authors and broadcasters to discuss and debate critical issues and challenges in the world today.
- With a community of over 130 nationalities at the University of Aberdeen, students are immersed in an environment that enables international discourse creating truly global exchanges, generating deep insights that spark innovative change.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2025 Entry
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SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBC
Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Minimum: BCC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
PLEASE NOTE: National 5/ Standard Grade/ GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics / Applications of Mathematics is required in addition to the requirements noted above.
Entry from College
Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Arts and Social Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) | £14,800 |
| Home Students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year | £1,820 |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland | |
| Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year | £9,790 |
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Students graduating in Real Estate from Aberdeen have a wide range of career options in related fields. The insights that you will gain into the property market in the UK and overseas and the valuation and development knowledge that you will acquire will help you meet the requirements of top employers. Previous graduates of this programme have gone on to work with major property consultants, real estate departments of financial institutions, specialist research companies and in property investment.
A degree in Finance is applicable to a number of industries, giving you additional flexibility in your career choices. The skills you will develop in risk assessment, strategic decision-making, analytics, and more are in high demand with many employers. Some of our recent Finance graduates have gone on to work in finance, banking, accountancy and other professional services, as well as working with government bodies and the public sector.
Career Opportunities
- Appraiser
- Business Consultant
- Civil Servant
- Data Consultant
- Government Officer
- International Business and Organisations
- Investment Analyst
- Property Manager
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Selma Mairi Carson
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
World-class facilities
We invest heavily in our facilities and learning resources, ensuring our students have access to everything they need to help them succeed in their studies - from the stunning Sir Duncan Rice Library, to Aberdeen Sport Village, and beyond.
Find out more
Affordability
Aberdeen has been named the top UK city for affordability (QS Best Student Cities 2026). In 2024, StuRents reported the average price of a student private rental property in the Granite City was just over £96 a week.
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX