This course is intended to help students understand the full spectrum of activities, options and decisions involved in the strategic management of a real estate portfolio.

Classes to run in Semester 2 and delivered in 3 hourly blocks, once per week, over 6 consecutive weeks. In the 7th week there are formally assessed presentations.

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Assessment:

The course will be assessed by two components:

1. a reflective case study (maximum 2,000 words) representing 80% of the overall course grade. Students will be required to select an organisation, examine the key internal and external drivers that are shaping the business practices and corporate strategies of their chosen organisation, evaluate how these changes have impacted on their current and future space requirements and critical assess the real estate practices and strategies adopted to achieve the corporate objectives of the business.

2. a group presentation critically comparing two case study building (approximately 15 minutes in duration with 5 minutes for questions) and representing 20% of the overall course grade. This will require the students to investigate the current use of the buildings, their tenure, construction, condition, maintenance and sustainability, and critically evaluate how these factors will influence the future use of these building.

This course aims to help students understand corporate real estate strategy and the full spectrum of activities, options and decisions involved in the strategic management of a real estate portfolio.

In accordance with the specific and evidenced competency requirements of the accreditation body (RICS), by the end of the course, participants should be able to:

■ analyse the role and importance of real estate for corporate organisations, and how the strategic management of real estate assets can deliver real competitive advantage for a business or organisation;

■ evaluate how best to analyse the efficiency of a multi-asset real estate portfolio in the context of a particular organisation's core objectives;

■ analyse and evaluate the internal and external factors that shape business and real estate decisions, and illustrate how property occupiers and investors are affected by economic, social and environmental sustainability concerns;

■ evaluate and critically compare the effectiveness of alternative means to maximise the contribution of real estate to overall organisational objectives (including actions such as identification and disposal of surplus property, outsourcing of activities, lease restructuring, acquisition & consolidation, and sale & leaseback);

■ assess and evaluate the broad principles of strategic real estate management and develop a corporate real estate strategy that takes account of the particular nature of a client's business or organisation and the particular form of its interest in real estate;

■ understand the different types of business plans within the strategic planning structure, the processes involved in formulating strategies and action plans and the tools and data used in the performance evaluation of a real estate strategy;

■ identify stakeholders within the strategic real estate process, the impact of decisions on them and the importance of communication whether as a strategic business advisor or a member of the corporate real estate team;

■ critically discuss key accounting principles, assess the format and preparation of management and company accounts, and the evaluation of the financial standing of organisations;

■ recognise the importance of asset maintenance and recall the different types of maintenance works involved in the management of a real estate portfolio;

■ develop a basic understanding of building construction, identify the building defects likely to be encountered in typical building surveying activities, and evaluate the alterative actions for avoidance and remediation;

■ follow the different stages within a property inspection and be able to justify them;

■ classify the various types of inspection that may be carried out and explain and implement the safety issues to be considered before undertaking an inspection; and

■ work effectively in groups to research, prepare and present reasoned advice to clients in the form of a presentation.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

Minimum requirement for award of credit for students on MSc in International Real Estate & Management and MSc Real Estate is D3 or above.

University standard regulations apply to students on other qualifications.