MSc Real Estate in Birmingham

At Two Snow Hill

During the first week of November, the students on the MSc Real Estate went on a field trip to Birmingham. The field trip is designed to introduce the issues of sustainable use and development in the context of specific commercial and residential property markets and to:

• develop an understanding of sustainable use and development
• examine the use, investment and development of commercial and residential property
• set commercial  and residential property in a wider economic, social and legal context

The field trip also integrates a range of core real estate skills and disciplines (covered in the first semester) as they relate to the regeneration of the urban environment. During the field trip, the students attended presentations from a number of local experts, had an opportunity to question those experts, and collected local information through visits to key locations.

Birmingham has traditionally been regarded as England’s second city, but has long been thought of as a less-than-glamorous destination. The major development plan for Birmingham was launched in 2010 and lays out a 20-year vision known as The Big City Plan. Birmingham is changing and has a lot more to offer than previously thought...the Guardian has produced the 'Alt City Guide to Birmingham'. And the city is the backdrop to Steven Spielberg's new film: Ready Player One. And the city has a museum dedicated to the history of coffin making. Go and visit! Photos by Mike Patrick.

The first day started with a talk by David Smeeton from Cushman & Wakefield, continued with a walk around Paradise Circus and a presentation by Ross Fittall from Argent, and ended with a group mean at Pizza Express, Brindley Place.

Sally Sims leading the walking tour of central Birmingham

On the second day the students spent the morning at Two Snow Hill (the new HQ of HS2) with representatives from Carter Jonas and presentations on HS2 and CPO. After lunch, the students were taken on a walking tour of the city centre by Sally Sims.

On the final day, the students visited Three Snow Hill. As well as a tour of the building (site) with BAM Construction, the students were given a presentation on the history and context of the scheme by Ballymore. And then, back to Oxford.

On site at Three Snow Hill

The view from the top

For more information about the MSc Real Estate take a look at the following links:

MSc Real Estate course entry on our website
MSc Real Estate on the Hot Property blog