REMF43-Global Real Estate Markets and Investment

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Yuan Zhao
Email: yuanyuan.zhao@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to provide practical experience and insight into the subjects studied throughout the year and prepares students for the workplace. It provides opportunities for self-experience of real situations in real estate finance and investment in the context of a global real estate market. ?The practical learning experience is furthered through case studies and discussions, presentations and engagement with industry practitioners. The module strengthens the inquiry skills of students and their ability to offer high standard resolutions to real world issues. 

Aims:

This field trip project module aims to expose students to the operation of real estate markets and real estate investment environments in a different institutional context from that found in the United Kingdom. It requires students to apply theoretical real estate finance and investment knowledge to practice situations in a global city. The field trip aims to help students develop a clear understanding of the way in which real estate markets work in practice. The objective is to gain first-hand experience to place the field trip case study in its appropriate context and produce a real world case study. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, students will be able to understand how a range of core real estate skills and disciplines, which were covered in the first and second terms of the programme, are applied in real world scenarios. 

At the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to: 

• evaluate critically real estate investment and finance issues in their wider economic, social, political and legal context; 


• be original in the application of core real estate knowledge in the analysis of a specific local real estate market, in its national context; 


• combine secondary documentary evidence relating to real estate markets with primary evidence collected at the local level; 


• implement tasks at a professional level and generate a professional assessment of real market conditions and prospects; 


• deal with complex ‘real world’ real estate market issues both systematically and creatively, and make sound judgements in the absence of complete data; 


• demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems and act as part of a team in planning and implementing tasks; 

Additional outcomes:

The module will assist students in developing the skill base necessary to collect, synthesise and interpret empirical evidence collected in the case study market, plan and implement a search for relevant documentary evidence, integrate a range of analytical perspectives and apply them to the case study market. The module will enhance students’ quantitative, analytical, presentation and report writing skills and provide an opportunity for them to manage and work effectively in teams and communicate findings in a professional manner through written and oral presentations and overall contribute to the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment. 

Outline content:

• Field trip to case study market 


• Structured programme of lectures, presentations and project visits 


• Structured professional project brief 

Global context:

This field trip project module aims to expose students to the operation of real estate markets and real estate investment environments in a different institutional context from that found in the United Kingdom. 

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The material in this module will be covered through a structured programme of lectures, presentations and project visits in the field trip case study city with inputs from academics and industry experts. Students will be assigned a project brief on a specific aspect of the real estate market in the field trip city. They will execute the brief through their participation and a group presentation in the field trip programme and a wider desk study upon their return. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures			6
Fieldwork			34
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)			20
Advance preparation for classes			20
Group study tasks			20
Total hours by term	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	70
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
Not applicable.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The module will be assessed through one group presentation during the field trip (30%), and one written assignment on a real-world real estate finance and investment project (70%). This will assess the ability of students to collect, synthesise and critically interpret empirical evidence collected in the case study market and apply quantitative pricing techniques to commercial real estate investments.  Depending on the size of the group (four or five students in a group), a written assignment comprising a report plus calculations/appendices with a guide of 6,000 words (or equivalent) for four students, or 7,500 words (or equivalent) for five students. 20% of the mark for the written assignment is based on group peer evaluation.

Assignment Submission deadline: Week 41

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

The pass mark for this module is 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

A coursework assignment of 2,500 words. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Travel, accommodation and subsistence: The study tour will commence at a selected south of England airport or St Pancras International train station. Students are expected to pay for return travel from Whiteknights campus to the selected airport (or to St Pancras station) for commencement of the tour. 

Last updated: 30 March 2023