How to choose the best property postgraduate course for you

There are postgraduate courses available in whatever area appeals to you in the built environment sector - including if you don't have a property degree. For some career areas, such as property surveying, quantity surveying and building surveying, or construction management, there are conversion courses that enable graduates who haven’t got a related built environment undergraduate degree (known as non-cognates) to start work in that field.

The questions to consider if you're thinking about postgraduate study in property

• Is your undergraduate a 'cognate' degree? (ie is it in a subject related to the built environment)
• Is your chosen course accredited by the RICS?
• If you need to do a conversion course, what study mode would suit you best?
• What industry links do different courses have?
• What kinds of placements or work experience is offered?
• Do potential employers have preferred courses?
• What work experience will you be able to organise in the location of your postgraduate institution?
• Do course fees include field trips?
• What IT facilities will you need?

Choosing the right study option for you

If you're a non-cognate, you can fund yourself through your conversion course (usually either full or part time) and then hunt for jobs. But many employers do take you on as a non-cognate and then put you through the conversion courses part time while you work for the company. While it can be hard to juggle work and study, it is definitely a cheaper option as the company will pick up the fees.

Built environment graduates tend to go into postgraduate study so that they can pursue a more academic or specialist career. This means that many courses will be designed for the recent graduate but others will be geared around the needs of experienced practitioners looking to advance their career. It’s known for built environment companies to fund their employees through courses that will advance their knowledge and expertise.

Next steps: choosing the right property postgraduate course

Use our course search facility to find the courses that are right for you: search by location, research rating and study mode and look at students' and employers' ratings of courses.