Postgraduate pathways in property

What’s your undergrad degree?

If your undergraduate degree is accredited by either SCSI or RICS, a postgraduate degree is optional, but would likely be of interest only if you wish to specialise in a specific area, such as management, or if your ambition is to become an academic. To determine which courses are most beneficial for the route you personally wish to take, speak to course leaders and admission tutors, who will provide you with invaluable advice.

If, however, your degree is not accredited by SCSI or RICS, you will need to acquire further qualifications should you wish to become a surveyor. Two options are available in such a situation. You can either complete a conversion course independently, or you can find an employer willing to allow you to study while you are working for them, (See more information at

If you have an SCSI or RICS-recognised degree

In this case, you can select a postgraduate degree in a subject of your choice. New courses are introduced on a constant basis, and the range now extends to include such specific areas as urban regeneration, and coastal and marine resource management.

While it’s an inescapable fact that competition for graduate jobs is high at the moment, you shouldn’t be tempted to take a course simply to delay the job-hunting process. Building up a work experience portfolio will undoubtedly prove more beneficial, as recruiters are generally more impressed by undergraduate candidates with lots of work experience than postgraduates with very little. Research your options thoroughly, and determine exactly how you would put your qualification to use.

If you don’t have a degree recognised by SCSI or RICS

Typically, students who take surveying conversion courses have degrees in the sciences, maths, geography or social sciences, but courses are often open to graduates from any discipline. A wide variety of courses are available for you to choose from, so make sure you research your area of interest thoroughly before making any final decision.

An MSc/PgDip in real estate or property development and planning is a recommended starting point, and you’ll find they are offered by a number of Irish institutions.

The most important detail to check is that the course is accredited by either SCSI or RICS. Visit the career sections of the SCSI website (www.scsi.ie) and the RICS website ( www.rics.org ), where you will find a full list of accredited courses. It’s also recommended that you explore the employability figures of each course. This will give you an idea of how many of their past alumni have gone on to find employment, and will help you determine if the course is the correct one for you. Ask admission tutors for advice and information, and visit www.gradireland.ie /further-study.

Finding the money

It’s impossible to escape the fact that postgraduate qualifications are expensive to acquire, but various avenues of easing your financial worries are available for you to pursue. Details of available funding sources for Irish students can be found at www.studentfinance.ie .

You should also remember that part-time or distance/online learning courses can provide flexibility, allowing you to earn money while you study. Visit www.gradireland.ie /further-study to find a suitable course in your preferred subject.

Below is a sample of the property courses on offer at the following Irish institutions:

Dublin Institute of Technology:

Quantity Surveying (MSc)

Real Estate (MSc)

Construction Informatics (MSc)

Construction Cost Management: Applied (MSc)

Limerick Institute of Technology:

Quantity Surveying (MSc)

Waterford Institute of Technology:

Construction: Project Management (MScCPM)

Trinity College Dublin:

Health & Safety in Construction (P.Grad.Dip)

Construction Law & Contract Administration (P.Grad.Dip)

Cork Institute of Technology:

Construction Project Management (MSc)

University College Cork:

Information Technology in Architecture Engineering & Construction

Queen’s University Belfast:

Construction & Project Management (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)

Architecture & Construction Management: Research (Phd/MPhil)

Ulster University Jordanstown:

Construction Business & Project Management (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)

Commercial Management in Construction (PgCert/PgDip/MSc)

Real Estate (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)