Property Finance MSc

Institution University of Westminster
Method At the institution
Location London
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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Property Finance MSc

Course description Property Finance MSc.

Property Finance is a well-established area of essential expertise within the real estate industry for the purchase and development of properties which may have varying levels of complexity. The finance specialist utilises modern skills, techniques and systems to successfully source and provide an adequate flow of accessible funds to buy, sell and develop land and buildings.

This course is intended to give you a detailed understanding of property finance and the associated property appraisal techniques and processes, encompassing both legal and social aspects. You will analyse investment and development finance situations and respond to particular financial problems with derived solutions. You will also be able to appraise options and independently evaluate alternative courses of action.

The design of the course recognises the significant challenges of providing an educational experience that is practical, relevant and challenging and meets the requirements of the relevant professional bodies. The programme, while still providing the discipline and structure of regular attendance at the University, aims to give a practical educational structure through workshops and projects.

Modules:

The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.

You will take modules totalling 180 credits as follows:

Core modules:

DISSERTATION
(40 credits)

The work for this module comprises the completion of your dissertation or major research project, and incorporates a guided reflective exercise on personal and professional development. You can opt for a traditional academic dissertation which identifies a hypothesis and research questions, involves some original research, draws conclusions and, if appropriate, makes recommendations. Alternatively you can complete a defined project involving the preparation of a strategy or action plan for an issue relevant to your studies, and include a 20,000-word reflection on, and evaluation of, the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and the constraints which are likely to impact on the proposals.

FINANCE AND ASSET MANAGEMENT
(20 credits)

The aim of this module is to set corporate decision making in the context of the business environment, corporate goals and the practice of company finance, estate and portfolio management. You will gain a grounding in property as an asset class, and a practical and theoretical appreciation of the techniques and practices currently being used in the management and valuation of commercial property. In the financial element of this module, you will explore issues relating to accounting principles and financial management accounts, and the implications of tax. Equally important is an appreciation of ratio analysis and strategy.

LAW FOR PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS
(20 credits)

This module fosters reflection on where the law comes from and how it develops (including the influence of European Law), and encourages your understanding of the relationship between the legal process and social change. You will develop mastery of the key principles (and their operation in practice) of English Law relating to business, including contract, tort, real estate law and regulatory regimes which particularly affect the property industry.

You will also gain a greater understanding of legal theory, including statute and judicial precedent; the role of Europe; tort, contract and business law; administrative law and regulatory regimes; real estate law; and landlord and tenant law.

PROPERTY FINANCE: LENDING AND RISK STRATEGIES
(20 credits)

In this module you will address the strategic role of lending in the property sector. The sector has become dependent upon lenders for the vast majority of cash inflows, and in this module you will look at the history of the involvement of lenders, and the risk assessment and procedures involved in lending on property. The study of traditional banking will be supplemented with investment banking techniques.

PROPERTY AND FINANCE: POLICY AND PRACTICE
(40 credits)

Property is a major contributor to asset holding and investment in most economies. You will examine the bigger picture around property and money. You will look at differing sources of funds for investment and development of property, both residential and commercial, and investigate the thought processes used to make decisions on whether to proceed with a particular deal. You will also examine bank and fund strategy at the highest level.

SITE ASSEMBLY AND DEVELOPMENT
(20 credits)

In this module you will focus on the financial, physical, legal and social aspects necessary for successful real estate development projects to take place. The emphasis is on the needs of end users of developments, and those other key players in the development process. There will be an emphasis on commercial real estate development, but the module will also serve well those requiring an understanding of mixed use and residential development projects and processes. The legal focus will centre on the system in England and Wales although techniques and examples will be drawn from a range of jurisdictions.