The first year provides a foundation in the skills and knowledge needed by the modern property professional and so there are no subject specific qualifications or experience needed as a prerequisite for entry. The course is unitised and consists of three academic years of study with each year divided into two semesters. Credit is given for each unit achieved and a number of exit awards are available to students who do not complete the full programme. This course may be undertaken as a thick 'sandwich' course, the 'sandwich' year of approved industrial training being undertaken between the first and second or, more commonly, between the second and third years of study. Close links are maintained with a wide range of professional, commercial and industrial organisations and the Department has a good record of obtaining suitable industrial training.
Students also have opportunities to undertake work-based learning in a range of organisations.
Exemption may be granted from parts of the degree course on the basis of previous study or experience. Students are consequently introduced to inter-linked and central themes such as law, management, finance, planning, investment appraisal, property economics and sustainability. At the same time a comprehensive introduction to the full range of degree level study skills is addressed and a strong construction and practice theme is introduced through construction management studies and units dealing with construction and design principles. At this stage, students acquire specialised knowledge of additional key areas such as design economics, project planning, tender documentation, contract procurement, contract administration and insolvency. The construction theme is maintained through the consideration of sustainable design concepts and aspects of environmental services and structures.