Property Studies

Quick Programme Summary

◊	Programme Code:	DT159
◊	Award:	BSc (Honours)
◊	Duration:	4 1/4 years
◊	Fees (2011/12):	€3,200 per annum. The fee is still eligible for relief from income tax at the standard rate.
◊	Location:	DIT Bolton Street
◊	Application Closing Date:	Wednesday, 31st August 2011

Run by the IAVI in partnership with DIT

Description

The BSc in Property Studies is a four-year part-time degree programme at honours level organised directly by the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (IAVI) and is run in partnership with the Faculty of the Built Environment at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street. The programme provides the educational requirements for a career in the property business or in a related area in the built environment field.Graduation from the programme also academically qualifies graduates for full membership of the IAVI.

Career Opportunities

A career in property is not only varied, interesting and rewarding, but can also be a very exciting one. The BSc (Hons) in Property Studies is designed specifically to equip graduates for actual practice. This requires up-to-date and educated knowledge of legal, technical and other areas relevant to the profession. Graduates from this programme are academically qualified for full membership of the IAVI, and so gaining the recognition and status which helps them to obtain employment and to operate successfully with the public.

Timetable

The programme is presented at the Dublin Institute of Technology, (DIT), Bolton Street. The lectures take place from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Lectures are held every second Saturday in term-time and there are fourteen lecture days plus one compulsory induction day in each academic year. The mandatory induction day is normally the last Saturday in September. There is also project work to be done throughout the year. Tutorial groups are arranged locally. Six of these are held at places and times to suit the students in each group. The course places a heavy emphasis on work based learning, (20 of the 60 credits for each year in Years 1,2 and 3 are based on this). Work based learning is assessed by way of a weekly analytical log which must be kept by students, visits to the workplace by qualified assessors, and the writing of an end of year report.

Content

The subject modules included on the programme, with their credits are as follows:

Year 1	Valuations 1 (10) Law 1 (10) Economics for Property and Construction (10) Estate Agency Practice, Marketing and Property Management (10) Work Based Learning (20)

Year 2	Valuations II (10) Law II (10) Building Construction I (10) Planning (10) Work Based Learning (20)

Year 3	Valuations III (10) Law III (10) Building Construction II (10) Financial Management (10) Work Based Learning (20)

Year 4	Valuations IV (10) Urban Land Development (10) Feasibility Study (10) Current issues in Land Economy (10) Dissertation (20)

Exemptions

Exemptions from modules are possible but are only discussed AFTER registration and must be agreed with the module lecturer and the academic director.

Employment requirement

Students on this degree programme must be working full-time in approved property related employment. This is broader than auctioneering and estate agency and includes property related functions of financial institutions, semi-state bodies and companies, the civil service, local government, property development and similar activities.

Candidates not in employment may be eligible to apply to full-time programmes run by DIT - see programmes DT110 (Property Economics (Valuation Surveying)) and DT104 (Auctioneering, Valuation & Estate Agency).

Other Educational Requirements

To be eligible for entry to the IAVI/DIT BSc (Hons) in Property Studies programme candidates must either:

Hold a University Degree or National Diploma, (at Level 7 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) or equivalent qualification;

Have successfully completed the IAVI/DIT Higher Certificate in Property Studies;

Have a minimum of five years relevant experience in the property profession and be at least 23 years old;

Hold a Diploma or Degree which exempts the holder from the academic requirements for full IAVI corporate membership;

Have passed all subjects in the IAVI Direct Final Examinations course, (now discontinued).

Those candidates fulfilling (a), (b) or (c) above will be eligible to enter the BSc programme in Year 1. Those fulfilling (d) or (e) above will be able to enter the programme in Year 3. Those who qualify under (d) but who have obtained a Merit or Distinction in the DIT three year Ordinary Degree in Auctioneering, Valuation and Estate Agency may enter the programme in Year 4.

How to Apply/Enrol

Applicants are required to complete an application form, available from the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute (contact details listed below). Closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday, 31st August 2011. Late applications may be considered should vacancies remain.

Examinations/Assessment

The assessment system for the programme combines elements of continuous assessments in the form of project work, formal written exams, a feasibility study and a dissertation as well as an assessment of work-based learning.

Award

The programme has a duration of four and a quarter years and leads to the award of BSc (Hons) of the Dublin Institute of Technology. The award is at ‘Level 8’ on the National Framework of Qualifications. It carries 240 ECTS, (European Credit Transfer System) credits.

Professional Accreditation

Successful completion of the IAVI/DIT Higher Certificate in Property Studies provides the academic basis for application for associate membership of the IAVI (Irish Auctioneers and Valuers Institute).

The programme is also accredited by the SCS (Society of Chartered Surveyors) as providing the academic qualification to commence the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This allows membership of the SCS and RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).