For twenty years, South Wales lacked a dedicated real estate degree, creating a gap in industry training and recruitment challenges.
Introduction
For twenty years, South Wales lacked a dedicated real estate degree, creating a gap in industry training and recruitment challenges. The closure of the Property Management and Valuation degree course at the then University of Glamorgan in the early 2000s meant that new general practice-chartered surveyors were no longer being trained at the university, or anywhere in Wales, contributing to an ongoing skills shortage in the region and nation.
In response, following an initial approach by a member of the Ystadau Cymru Board, the University of South Wales launched a Real Estate degree in September 2023 at its Treforest campus, subsequently accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Designed to blend academic study with practical experience, the course provides multiple study routes to encourage accessibility, including full-time, part-time, via the Network75 scheme and an apprenticeship option.
Challenge
The absence of an accredited Real Estate degree in Wales contributed to a shortage of qualified general practice-chartered surveyors, making recruitment challenging in both public and private sectors. Without industry-accredited training, organisations had to compete for staff staff, rely on more senior professionals, or hire unqualified personnel to fill gaps.
Beyond the skills shortage, awareness of real estate careers remained limited, and many prospective students who might not typically consider university lacked an accessible entry point into surveying professions. The challenge wasn’t only to reinstate the course, but to ensure it aligned with modern industry needs, fostering inclusivity and adaptability.
Approach
The University of South Wales worked closely with industry experts and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to develop a comprehensive and practical curriculum. Key steps included:
- Flexible study options:
- Three-year full-time degree
- Four-year full-time degree with a sandwich placement year
- Five-year part-time degree, including via the Network75 scheme
- Entry available directly or via a foundation year
- Industry-focused learning: guest speakers, site visits, and work placements
- Specialised modules covering housing, planning, property law, and real estate appraisals
The course was developed following an approach by the Head of Property at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership – Specialist Estates Services, leading to:
- Establishing a working group
- Surveying public and private sector demand
- Creating an Industry Advisory Board
- Approval of a business justification case in autumn 2022
- Course validation by the University of South Wales in March 2023
- Professional accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in August 2024
Liaison with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Wales office, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Wales Board, the Welsh Branch of Matrics, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Global Education and Accreditation Manager provided critical input and guidance.
Additionally, funding was secured from Assets Collaboration Programme Wales Phase 3 for social media promotion and video content, showcasing surveying and the degree program to attract more applicants.
Contributes towards
This project aligns with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, particularly its five ways of working:
- Long-term: The course addresses a twenty-year gap in real estate education, ensuring Wales has a steady supply of qualified chartered surveyors in the future.
- Prevention: Tackling the real estate skills shortage helps prevent workforce depletion and ensures a sustainable pipeline of professionals.
- Integration: The program supports economic growth, quality education, and industry development, aligning with Wales’ well-being goals.
- Collaboration: The project was developed in partnership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, industry leaders, and education experts.
- Involvement: The Network75 scheme makes real estate education more accessible, encouraging students who might not normally pursue a degree to gain practical experience without debt.
Impacts and outcomes
The introduction of the Real Estate degree at the University of South Wales marks a significant step toward addressing long-standing skills shortages in the property sector. By creating a structured, accredited pathway for aspiring chartered surveyors, the program strengthens industry sustainability and enhances career accessibility. The combination of academic study and work-based learning ensures that graduates enter the workforce with practical experience, ready to meet the demands of the profession.
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation ensures graduates meet professional standards nationally and internationally.
- The course will train a new generation of general practice-chartered surveyors, helping ease recruitment challenges and supporting industry needs.
- The Network75 scheme expands university access, allowing students to earn a degree, gain five years of work experience, and graduate debt-free.
- The University of South Wales has reinforced its Built Environment sector reputation by developing and launching the Real Estate degree along with securing re-accreditation for its Building Surveying, Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management and Construction Project Management degrees.
Lessons learnt and future planning
Developing and launching the Real Estate degree at the University of South Wales has provided valuable insights into addressing industry skills shortages, engaging stakeholders, and ensuring educational accessibility. The project demonstrated the importance of proactive collaboration, flexible learning pathways, and strategic planning to meet sector demands. While the initiative successfully revived real estate education in Wales, challenges such as evidencing demand, securing industry support, and coordinating accreditation highlighted key areas for consideration in future developments.
- Industry collaboration is essential in designing an effective, sector-relevant degree.
- Flexible learning pathways improve accessibility and ensure employment-readiness.
- Network75 enhances graduate employability, ensuring students enter the workforce without debt and with substantial experience.
- Addressing skills shortages requires persistence—action was only taken after two decades of industry concerns.
- Developing new degree programs is complex but vital for long-term sustainability.
Moving forward, the University of South Wales aims to monitor student progression, establish additional industry partnerships, and maintain its Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accreditation, ensuring continuous improvement in real estate education.