A real estate degree prepares you for work in property and provides you with communication, commerce and business skills that are valued by a range of employers

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Commercial/residential surveyor
• Construction manager
• Estates manager
• Land/geomatics surveyor
• Planning and development surveyor
• Quantity surveyor
• Rural practice surveyor

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Building control surveyor
• Building surveyor
• Chartered loss adjuster
• Estate agent
• Facilities manager
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Housing manager/officer
• Mortgage adviser

Work experience

Relevant property-related experience is important and can often be gained through a year out in industry, or on a summer placement. There are lots of ways you can gain experience to complement your degree. Look for opportunities arising within real estate agencies and the public sectors, or in the buildings and estates divisions of universities.

Many property employers place a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities that demonstrate teamworking and leadership skills. These skills can be developed through sporting activities or by participating in clubs and societies run by your university or students' union.

Undertaking a period of voluntary work in an area that will complement your degree in real estate will help show employers that you've got relevant experience. This will be particularly useful if you were not able to secure a work placement during your studies.

Typical employers

There is a range of opportunities available to work in managing, selling and valuing real estate, alongside advising on market conditions and property feasibility studies. Jobs are available in property valuation, property asset management and property development. You could also work as a property researcher, real estate agent or property financier.

Employment opportunities are available in property across the commercial, residential, private and public sectors, and in a range of activities including domestic, commercial and industrial projects. Employers can range from major international firms to small professional practices.

Typical employers include:

• global firms of property consultants with interests in building surveying, corporate property, investment, planning, development and residential work
• property investment or development companies
• real estate departments of financial institutions
• central government and executive agencies such as the Valuation Office Agency
• local authorities
• housebuilders and housing associations
• charitable trusts and heritage organisations
• utility companies.

Skills for your CV

Studying real estate means you learn all aspects of property, from planning law to bricks and mortar. You'll study the built environment, covering areas such as the acquisition, development, management, disposal and valuation of land and buildings. Courses focus on the financial, legal, management and technological issues relating to property as well as issues such as sustainability.

Practically, it tends to be taught by a combination of lectures and site visits in addition to a number of real-life projects and case studies.

A degree in this subject helps you to develop a range of skills sought by employers in the property sector and beyond, including:

• the ability to manage and analyse complex data
• effective communication (written, oral, visual and numerical)
• collaboration and team leadership
• business planning and project management
• negotiation
• client care
• time management and the ability to work independently
• presentation
• the use of information technology
• the ability to apply theory to practice.