Bachelor of Science in Property Studies

This programme exposes students to a broad knowledge base including finance, economics, property law, and appropriate communication and computer skills. In addition, students develop particular skills in property valuation and development.

These include evaluating and structuring finance for property investments, assessing feasibility and risk in property developments, valuing property assets, managing property portfolios, designing and implementing facilities management programmes, and managing the procurement of buildings.

Aims of the Programme

To provide to the property industry, and related professions, as well as to the State and non-profit sectors, with graduates who possess knowledge, skills and values appropriate to a broad range of professional activities in the built environment and who, together with appropriate experience, meet the education requirements towards registration with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession (SACPVP); and to provide graduates with life skills.

Outcomes of the Programme

Upon completion of the BSc in Property Studies programme, the graduate is competent to:

• compute various mathematical functions including financial analysis and undertake statistical tests.

• understand the time value of money and its application to property investment and finance.

• use appropriate information technology hardware and software for the collection, analysis and presentation of information.

• manage tender and contractual documents relating to building work.

• undertake macro- and micro-economic analyses of property markets.

• build econometric models of property markets and to generate predictions of property market activity.

• undertake feasibility and viability studies for property development.

• value property for various purposes, using various approaches, methods and techniques, and produce a valuation report.

• manage property as a physical and investment asset.

• understand and evaluate economic, environmental, social and other issues concerning cities, the property sector and the property firm, at both a micro and a macro level, in the context of developing/emerging economies.

• apply the tools of economics to the analysis of major environmental problems affecting property markets.

• understand the spatial structure of urban areas in terms of land uses and land/property values in the context of developing/emerging economies.

• understand the types of, the rationale for, and impacts of public sector interventions in property markets and city-building.

• understand and apply the principles of the common law and customary law relating to immovable property

• understand and apply key legislation relating to the tenure of immovable property.

• understand the role and impact of new and emerging technologies on property markets.

• inter-relate with colleagues and successfully manage and/or participate in team working situations.

• construct solutions which relate to practical problems and resolve disputes using appropriate methods.

• frame research questions, identify, collect and collate primary and secondary data sources and have an understanding of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods.

• demonstrate career-readiness, a clear professional identity, and insights into skills, knowledge and values necessary to meet the standards of performance and practice expected by their profession and society