Bachelor of Business in Real Estate

Bachelor of Business in Real Estate (Valuation & Management)

This programme is designed to meet the needs of the domestic and international property market by providing an articulate, competent graduate who will apply professional standards across a range of occupations, including property sales negotiator and property manager, in an ever-changing competitive market. It is also designed to provide sales negotiators for real estate firms.

The need for this qualification is underpinned by a report from the Auctioneering and Real Estate Review Group established by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform recommending that estate agents ‘should have a relevant educational qualification in respect of the activities to be conducted in practice’.

As a holder of this degree you will have acquired the advanced knowledge and developed the skills required for a successful business career. In your employment, you may be expected to engage in property management, to undertake property surveys (including measurement and valuation techniques), to examine, evaluate and report on the condition of buildings and to make judgments about performance, repair, health and safety. You will be qualified to specify and analyse a situation or problem using appropriate concepts and frameworks from valuation and other disciplines, demonstrate communication skills in the preparation of reports, and make presentations to different audiences in matters related to real estate management and valuation. In addition to the specialist aspects referred to above, the curriculum also covers the area of general business policy and practice.

The programme has been developed jointly by AIT and the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV). The IPAV was established in 1970 and has in excess of 850 practising members. It is a member of the Confederation of European Estate Agents (CEI).

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Grade D3 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

FETAC

Any FETAC level 5 qualification is acceptable. There are no specific module requirements.

Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

Financial Accounting, Economics, Building Studies, Law, Learning to Learn.

Year 1 – Semester 2

Valuation, Marketing, Professional Practice and Communications.

Year 2 – Semester 1

The Regulatory Framework, Building Studies, Financial and Management Accounting, Marketing and Sales Management, Advertising and Property Promotion.

Year 2 – Semester 2

Valuation, Planning and Development.

Year 3 – Semester 1

Valuation, Building Studies, Managerial Finance, Business Management and Enterprise Development.

Year 3 – Semester 2

Property Management Law, Property Management, Property Economics, Managerial Finance.

Progression

Students have the option of leaving after year 2 of the programme with a Higher Certificate in Business in Real Estate (Level 6). Graduates at this level will be entitled to membership of the IPAV after two years’ relevant work experience.

Professional Recognition

Career Opportunities

If you leave with the higher certificate, you are expected to gain employment across a wide range of occupations within the real estate sector or in the general business arena. Examples include, work at a junior level in estate agencies, with property developers, in property management and valuation, in marketing and sales, and in administrative/management positions for public and private organisations.

Graduates with the Bachelor degree are expected to find employment in local, provincial and national firms as sales negotiators and property managers. The following positions would be typical: finance, property development, planning, research and education in both national and multinational companies with large property interests. Opportunities may also exist to work in overseas property. A career in general business practice is also an appropriate expectation.

Additional Information

Professional Body Fees

Students on this programme are required to register as student members of the IPAV. The annual fee is €400. This may also be paid in two instalments of €225 each, if preferred.