KA6026 - Real Estate Investment And Finance

What will I learn on this module?

On this module, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to actively manage property as an investment asset within the wider professional investment market.

You will develop an understanding of principal investment assets and their characteristics in order to speculate, predict market activity and undertake complex investment decisions which are reflective of current practice. The module will also provide you with knowledge and experience of contemporary issues affecting the investment markets.

Topics covered will include:

• The structure of the investment universe
• Investor profiling
• Competition: alternative assets
• Measuring returns from property investment
• Investment objectives: the concept of risk and return
• Investment theory including stranded assets and contemporary environmental, social and governance requirements
• Applied investment strategy
• Property cycles: when is the timing right?
• Property finance and funding

• Indirect investment vehicles
• Diversification within property investment portfolios
• Property disposal
• Purchasing property
• Investment portfolio appraisal

How will I learn on this module?

Weekly lectures delivered by staff and practitioner guests will deliver the main theoretical subject material core to the syllabus, supported by directed learning. The module has been developed in partnership with practice to reflect the real life demands and challenges faced in the contemporary real estate sector, with a particular focus on stranded assets, ESG demands and consequent divestment/transition strategies. Practitioners work in partnership with staff, creating a live learning conversation with the real estate industry. Slides and any additional supporting materials will be uploaded onto the eLP weekly in advance of the lecture. Knowledge and understanding of the lecture material will be developed in seminars and workshops, in order to give the students, the opportunity to explore these issues in greater depth. Student activities will focus on exercises which relate to their asset market investigation including analysis of investment market reports and data, problem solving, case studies, role play and negotiation exercises and individual property investment appraisal. Students will also receive formative feedback on the coursework tasks each week to enable progress-monitoring and provide an understanding of the in-depth of analysis expected.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will receive individual feedback for all elements of the summative assessment, and formative (informal) feedback from tutors during seminars and assessment support sessions.

In addition to this, the Module Tutor will respond to any queries posed on the KA6026 eLearning Portal site in relation to assessment preparation, so that the whole group can benefit.

If you are in employment your workplace will be the main learning environment, however, tutor support will be available via drop-in sessions throughout the module study period. The eLP, telephone and email will be used as a means of communication once the initial briefings have taken place and work-based visits will be made by tutors if appropriate.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

• MLO1: You will be able to evaluate how property relates to the other main investment asset classes

• MLO2: Critically analyse theories of portfolio management and their application to both mixed asset portfolios and property portfolios.

• MLO3: Appraise property investments at the individual asset level

Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities:

• MLO4: You will be able to coherently report information and opinion concerning property investment, to address clients’ information needs

Personal Values Attributes:

• MLO5: You will research and advise on different investment funding options from the viewpoint of different investors, in order to arrive at complex investment decisions. This will develop your independent, evidence based research skills

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment: will be an integrative part of the workshop sessions and directed work. You will be expected to participate in group discussions and carry out directed tasks upon which you will receive formative feedback.

Summative assessment is made up of a 20 minute investment pitch (delivered in presentation format and accompanying portfolio transition appraisal - each representing 50% of the assessment mark) . The transition proposal will be an XLS sensitivity analysis that demonstrate the risk and return potential of you advice.

This will provide an opportunity for reflection on the application of investment and finance theory to property, implementation of investment strategy and the concise presentation of information.

The basis for the investment pitch will be set throughout the module, based upon scenario based application of investment and finance theory to an existing property investment portfolio.

It will assess MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 and MLO5

All elements will be submitted, assessed and feedback provided online.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

The module aims to provide an analytical overview of property as an investment asset in the context of the wider investment market. It develops students’ skills of investment appraisal for individual/portfolios of property assets, enabling them to manage, report and analyse complex investment decision-making. Teaching is undertaken through a combination of lectures to deliver material core to the syllabus, seminars, and workshops to give students the opportunity to explore those issues in greater depth. Assessment is by means of an individual investment appraisal delivered via an investment pitch/presentation. The students will be provided with an asset market for them to research and provide investment advice that will demonstrate their understanding and application of the knowledge gained over the course of the module.

Course info

UCAS Code K440

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Architecture and Built Environment

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints