The Department of Real Estate and Construction at Oxford Brookes University has offered highly innovative programmes of study for well over four decades. We produce high calibre graduates with the broad range of skills necessary to succeed at the highest levels in the property and construction industry sectors.

We address the dynamic challenges facing the property and construction industry sectors from an interdisciplinary base, giving our graduates a broad perspective on the issues involved in creating, maintaining, investing in, and managing high performing built environments and delivering superior value to clients.

Teaching

We have an outstanding reputation for the quality of our teaching. We draw on our passion for teaching, our experience in working with leading organizations, and insights gained from our research to educate the next generation of industry leaders. We aim to give students a firm foundation and prepare them for long-lasting and rewarding careers in the property, construction and related industries.

We offer a range of highly innovative courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels developed in collaboration with industry to meet current and future professional, industry, and societal needs. Cognizant of the need for society to transition to a low carbon economy, the teaching of sustainability and environmental issues, modern methods of construction and digital literacy are embedded in all our courses, preparing our graduates to play leading roles in this transition and be responsible global citizens.

Research

Our staff engage in a continuous stream of interdisciplinary cutting-edge research and scholarly activities designed to meet the current and anticipate future needs of the property and construction industry. Each academic year, our staff publish a broad array of articles in the top journals in our field. They bring this expertise to bear on the teaching programmes at all levels. We regularly secure research funding from the UK Research Councils, the Technology Strategy Board, and the European Commission, international organisations (e.g. the World Bank), industry and professional bodies (e.g. RICS, IPF).

Our research is organised through two research groups: The Real Estate and Land Policy Group and the Construction and Project Management Group which are part of the Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development. We have a significant number of MPhil/PhD students working on a wide range of research topics. We offer an excellent research environment for staff and students.

Links to Practice

Our commitment to be at the forefront of current and evolving industry practice has led to teaching and research programmes that reflect the realities of the marketplace. We have developed strong and extensive links with the property and construction industry sectors. Our industry advisory boards comprise senior staff from the leading property and construction firms. We maintain strong links with the professional bodies and our courses are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). We engage leading industry figures of international standing as visiting professors and lecturers to present regular guest lectures into many of our subjects providing students with cutting edge practical insights into our discipline.

Employability

Many of our students are sponsored by the major property and construction companies. Our graduates are highly sought after by employers and many hold senior management positions in the leading property and construction firms. The results of a survey published by Property Week in July 2011 indicated that one in five graduates employed in the leading property firms studied in our Department.

Alumni

We have one of the largest and most influential alumni networks in the property sector, the Oxford Brookes Real Estate Management Society (OBREMS), which offers student internships, mentoring, prizes, and presents our graduates with highly beneficial networking opportunities.

International Perspective

Our teaching and research activities are developed with an international perspective to reflect the increasingly strong role of property and construction in the global economy. Apart from preparing our graduates for careers in multi-national firms, a good mix of nationalities within our student population enriches the international learning experience and encourages understanding of the differences between national real estate and construction markets. We have developed many international links in Europe, North and South America, Russia, Africa, China, and the South East Asia region which involve student and staff academic exchanges and visits. This international activity is clearly reflected in the publications of our academic staff.

Oxford Location

Oxford is an excellent place to study Real Estate and Construction. The mix of historic and modern buildings presents a varied and rich environment for learning through site visits to construction projects involving both new build and challenging retrofitting work. The close proximity to London allows us to take advantage of its world-class commercial property market.

I invite you to join us in the quest of finding solutions to the major challenges facing society, and of educating and training the leaders who will make a significant impact on our professions and society. Our website provides you with extensive information about our taught courses, research, and related activities. For further information, please contact us, or come along to one of our open days.

Professor Joe Tah

Head of Department of Real Estate and Construction