Graduation May 2026: meeting our online and distance learning graduates

At graduation in May 2026, as well as our on-campus students, we were pleased to welcome a number of students who had not visited the Oxford Brookes campus before. These students were graduating from the MSc Real Estate that we offer in partnership with the Knight Frank Saudi Arabia Graduate Academy and the online MSc Real Estate Investment Finance which has students and alumni working in a variety of property related sectors all over the world.

The student speaker at the ceremony was Yosra Meskinyar, one of the first graduates from the MSc Real Estate that we offer in partnership with the Knight Frank Saudi Arabia Graduate Academy. This is a two-and-a-half-year graduate program designed to nurture top talent in real estate and allows ambitious graduates to work while earning an MSc Real Estate and pursuing an RICS qualification.

The MSc Real Estate Investment Finance is an online course which attracts students from across the globe. This entirely online distance learning course is all about putting practical skills into action and our students have lots of opportunities to connect and share experiences with each other and professionals on a global basis. It was great to welcome two of the REIF students to the campus for graduation...the first time meeting in person!

Ye Xu (REIF Course Leader) with Jamie Fairholm (left) and Ruba Khoury (right)

 

Celebrating 10 Years of REIF: catching up with Freda Rutere

Freda Rutere: MSc REIF 2016-18.
Currently working as an Investment Manager at IHS,
a Green Affordable Housing Fund based in Kenya.

MSc Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF)

A Decade Later - From Student to Impact Investment Professional

Ten years ago, I was featured in this blog as one of the first students pursuing the MSc Real Estate Investment Finance at Oxford Brookes University. At the time, I was working in commercial Real Estate Development Management in Kenya. I spoke about the disconnect I observed between investor decision-drivers and engineering fundamentals, hoping the REIF course would equip me with tools to better steer commercial real estate development decisions at a strategic level.

A decade later, as I reflect on my journey since graduation, I’m amazed at how prescient those words were – and how the MSc REIF became the bridge that transformed my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined - Specifically, I found myself increasingly drawn to projects that addressed housing affordability challenges – a critical issue across many African markets.

Today, I work as an Investment Manager at an affordable housing impact fund, where I focus on investments that generate both financial returns and measurable social impact. My role involves evaluating investment opportunities, conducting due diligence, managing a growing property portfolio, and measuring impact outcomes – all while ensuring strong financial fundamentals are preserved for investors.

The foundation laid by the MSc REIF program, combined with my engineering background, created a unique skill set that proved invaluable to better serving investors in African markets.

Looking back, the MSc REIF program delivered on everything I had hoped for and more: The analytical frameworks I learned during the MSc REIF program proved essential as I began evaluating projects not just on traditional financial metrics, but also on their potential for social impact. The course’s emphasis on understanding real estate as an asset class across various jurisdictions globally (as I had hoped) became particularly relevant as I worked on cross-border affordable housing initiatives.

For those currently in the program or considering it, my advice is to embrace the interdisciplinary nature of real estate investment finance. Don’t see it just as a property or finance course – view it as a foundation for understanding how built environments can be leveraged to create positive change and make meaningful contributions.

To the current faculty and students of the MSc REIF program: thank you for continuing to push the boundaries of how we think about real estate investment globally. 

The decade since graduation has been an incredible journey of growth and impact. I’m proud to be part of the Oxford Brookes REIF alumni community and excited to see how the next generation of graduates will shape the future of real estate investment.

Thanks Freda. Find out more about the course here.

Celebrating 10 Years! MSc REIF: Stephen Hipkins

Ye Xu (REIF Programme Leader) and Stephen Hipkins at graduation in May 2025

The Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme (MSc, PG Diploma and OBU Certificate) at Oxford Brookes is celebrating 10 years this year!  The programme started in 2015 and now attracts students from across the world. This is great news as students (and staff) from many different backgrounds and locations can come together online to share experiences and work practices. The programme has been designed for real estate professionals across all sectors, as well as fund managers and investment bankers who would like to gain a better understanding of real estate as a financial asset in an investment portfolio. The programme is delivered online and offers our students (many of whom are also working full-time) a flexible and innovative way to study. We have developed our use of digital media to bring together students from many different backgrounds and locations using our virtual learning platform as well as social media and webinars. 

I caught up with one of our most recent graduates, Stephen Hipkins who completed the MSc REIF in May 2025 to find out what he thought about the REIF programme:

What is your background?

I am a qualified architect with over 25 years of experience across architecture, construction and project delivery. My career has spanned both the UK and international markets, including significant work in the Middle East. I have delivered complex capital investment projects across a broad range of sectors; residential, commercial, education, healthcare and cultural institutions, both as an architect and in senior client-side project and design management roles. My leadership has consistently centred on coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-value, technically sophisticated developments. I have worked with globally renowned practices and led award-winning masterplans such as the Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. In recent years, I have taken a strategic leadership role in future-focused developments, including mass modular housing and sustainable EV-integrated urban planning.

Why did you decide to do a course in Real Estate Investment Finance?

Having spent much of my career focused on the design and delivery aspects of the built environment, I recognised a growing need to strengthen my commercial and financial understanding of real estate. My experience taught me that long-term project success hinges not just on design excellence or construction efficiency, but also on financial viability, market alignment and strategic investment.  

The MSc in Real Estate Investment and Finance provided the perfect opportunity to formally broaden my perspective, to view projects not only as physical assets but as vehicles of economic and social value. I wanted to be better equipped to engage with investors, developers and financial institutions and to lead with a more integrated understanding of project lifecycle economics, risk and return.

Why did you choose the MSc/PGD REIF at Oxford Brookes?

Oxford Brookes stood out for its strong reputation in real estate education and its practitioner-focused, flexible learning model. The course is tailored for experienced professionals who want to deepen their expertise while continuing to work and it focuses on real-world application. What particularly appealed to me was the course’s emphasis on combining theory with critical, practice-based analysis. The modules, ranging from valuation and investment appraisal to legal frameworks aligned closely with the challenges I encountered in my leadership roles. The university’s commitment to academic excellence, coupled with its support for distance learners, made it an ideal choice.

What did you gain from the course and how has it helped you in your career?

The MSc has significantly enhanced my ability to appraise projects from a financial and strategic standpoint. I have gained a much deeper understanding of market dynamics, investment structures, development finance and valuation techniques. I’m now far more confident in navigating complex financial models, engaging with investors and aligning project design with long-term investment goals.

Importantly, the course sharpened my decision-making in areas like portfolio planning, risk assessment and regulatory compliance. This has expanded my leadership capacity, enabling me to move seamlessly between architectural, managerial and financial domains. It’s already influencing the way I lead projects, structure deals and advocate for sustainable, commercially resilient developments. I have now set up a property business that leverages the BRRR (Buy, Refurbish, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) strategy to acquire and improve residential properties to a high standard. If you would like to know more or become involved, email us at: architectmoveorimprove@gmail.com

What did you choose for your dissertation topic and why?

For my dissertation, I explored the topic: “Decline in Town Centres: Adapting to Changing Consumer Habits.” This subject resonated strongly with me, both professionally and personally, as I’ve witnessed first-hand the shifting dynamics in urban centres across the UK, exacerbated by changes in retail behaviour, technological disruption and more recently, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. My aim was to critically examine the structural decline of traditional high streets and town centres, investigating the economic, social and spatial drivers behind reduced footfall, rising vacancies and evolving consumer expectations. I was particularly interested in how real estate stakeholders, investors, developers, local authorities and designers can reposition and repurpose underperforming assets to create vibrant, resilient urban environments.

This research allowed me to bridge my architectural and project delivery background with the commercial and strategic themes covered in the MSc. I evaluated innovative redevelopment strategies, such as mixed-use repurposing, experiential retail and community-focused place-making, alongside policy and investment models that can support long-term regeneration. Ultimately, the dissertation reinforced my belief that town centres can be revitalised through integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches, where design quality, financial viability and social value go hand-in-hand.

Thanks Stephen. If you want to find out more, then book onto one of our online information sessions via the website.

REIF Online Information Sessions

REIF Graduation May 2024 and a Student Profile...

Scott Rayner (left) and Shaun Nichols at Graduation on 30 May 2024

As REIF is an online course it's always really nice to actually meet some of our students and their families when they attend graduation. This was last Thursday (30 May).

Scott Rayner (on the left) also joined us for the REIF Online Info Session in May 2024, where he talked about his experience of the MSc REIF. Here's what he said...

I was working in the City of London in real estate investment as a consultant for funds, investment banks and development finance. As I didn't have a first degree in real estate and wanted to advance my career, I went looking for a flexible MSc course that was accredited by the RICS. After talking to industry professionals, I decided upon the MSc REIF at Oxford Brookes as it offered an online, flexible course with a great support structure. I wasn't disappointed. 

The international aspect of the course was incredibly beneficial and now I can look at different markets around the world and think 'I could work there...or there'. The legal aspect of the course looked at different jurisdictions and the rest of the course (and the students) had an international focus. With a group of students from across the globe, there are lots of opportunities for discussions and shared experiences. 

For the live lectures, webinars and Q&A sessions - these are always recorded and shared on the virtual learning platform meaning that you can watch them anytime. This was really helpful when I was working in The City. I could study in my own time and at my own pace. 

The course is really flexible - I took the opportunity to take some time out and delay modules during periods of intense work and the staff were always very supportive making the experience seamless. When I was doing my Dissertation I had a motorbike accident and the staff were so accommodating and encouraging and helped me to complete. 

And here is the video extract from the Online Info Session - thanks for your comments Scott!

For more information about the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance, take a look at our website here. 

Real Estate Investment Finance - Seminar Day 2024

 

Ye Xu, the course leader for the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) introduced the REIF Seminar Day 2024 on 31 May. Take a look at the video footage...

The first session was presented by Cynthia Chan and Liz Hung from CBRE Research, Asia Pacific. Watch here.

The second session was presented by John Campbell, Associate Director - Head of Industrial Services, Savills Vietnam. Watch here.

The final session on Heritage: Conservation and Development (some current thinking) was presented by Michael Stubbs, Chilterns Natural Landscape and Visiting Tutor at The Bartlett School of Planning, UCL. Watch here.

If you would like more information about the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance then take a look here.

Real Estate Investment Finance: Seminar Day 2022

Dr Ye Xu (leader of the REIF programme at Oxford Brookes) introducing the REIF Seminar Day 2022

Students and alumni from the Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme were invited to attend the 2022 REIF Seminar Day which was held online via Zoom on 9 March. The sessions brought together staff, students, alumni and presenters to share current thinking and experiences from across the world. 

The first session - Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook 2022: Harnessing Growth, Navigating Uncertainty was presented by Sharon Chan, Cynthia Chan, Sharon Hung and Henry Chin from CBRE Asia Pacific. Take a look at the slides from this presentation and listen to it here.

Sharon Chan, CBRE Asia Pacific

Cynthia Chan, CBRE Asia Pacific

Liz Hung, CBRE Asia Pacific

Henry Chin, CBRE Asia Pacific

The second session: New vs Old Asset Classes was presented by James Macdonald from Savills, China. And you can see the slides and listen to the presentation here.

James Macdonald, Head of Research at Savills China

The third session was about PropTech and was presented by Joseph Lam, Jack Christie and Chritian Luepke from PRODA. Take a look at the slides and listen to the presentation here.

Joseph Lam from PRODA

Jack Christie from PRODA

Christian Luepke from PRODA

The 4th session - Sustainable Urban Futures: City Visions and City Governance was presented by Tim Dixon from the University of Reading. Take a look at the slides and listen to the session here.

Professor Tim Dixon, University of Reading

The final session was presented by Paul McNamara and focused on Responsible Property Investment. See the slides and listen to the presentation here. 

Professor Paul McNamara 

The Seminar Day 2022 was brought to a close by Peter Dent from Oxford Brookes who thanked all the presenters and led the final questions and discussion.

Peter Dent, Oxford Brookes University

For more information about the online MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance and the CPD option, take a look at our website:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance
OBU Certificate Real Estate Investment Finance (CPD)

MSc Real Estate Investment Finance: the interviews

The Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme at Oxford Brookes has been designed for real estate professionals across all sectors, as well as fund managers and investment bankers who would like to gain a better understanding of real estate as a financial asset in an investment portfolio. The programme is delivered online and offers our students (many of whom are also working full-time) a flexible and innovative way to study. We have developed our use of digital media to bring together students from many different backgrounds and locations using our virtual learning platform as well as social media and webinars. The programme started in 2015 and now attracts students from across the world. This is great news for the REIF programme as students (and staff) from many different backgrounds and locations can come together online to share experiences and work practices.

I caught up with two of our alumni and a current student to find out what they think about the REIF programme. This time on film...

Interested? You can find out more about the MSc/PGD REIF and book a place on one of our REIF Online Information Sessions by following the links below:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - course details

REIF Online Information Session - click to book a place

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - student profiles

MSc Real Estate Investment Finance: Alice Masterman

The Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme at Oxford Brookes attracts students from across the world - bringing students together online. I caught up with Alice Masterman who has recently completed the MSc Real Estate Investment Finance alongside her preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics...

What is your background?
I am a member of the British Sailing Team and sail the 49er FX. I am campaigning towards Paris 2024 and have been sailing the FX now for 4 years since finishing my undergraduate at the University of Southampton in Politics and Economics.

Why did you decide to do a course in REIF and why Oxford Brookes?
I decided to read the Real Estate Investment and Finance at Brookes as it was the course, I wanted to do for my masters but always envisioned completing after my sailing career. This was when I did not realise you could study it part-time and online. I chose the course at Brookes due to the outstanding reputation and the flexibility of the course.

What did you gain from the course and how has it helped you in your career?
I enjoyed the course thoroughly and found the knowledge learnt was applicable to my post-sailing career in Real Estate. I want to become a Chartered Surveyor so needed the RICS accredited degree to support my future career. I found the lecturers informative and helpful, and they were quick to respond. The feedback post-assignments were useful.

What did you choose for your dissertation topic and why?
I chose to study the effects of London 2012 on East London Real Estate Prices as I have an interest in the effects of sporting events on the host cities due to my sporting background.

Thanks Alice and all the best for Paris 2024! You can find out more about the MSc/PGD REIF and book a place on one of our REIF Online Information Sessions by following the links below:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - course details

REIF Online Information Session - click to book a place

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - student profiles

MSc Real Estate Investment Finance: Student Profile - Obone George

The Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) programme at Oxford Brookes attracts students from across the world - bringing students together online. I caught up with Obone George who has recently completed the MSc Real Estate Investment Finance and he agreed to answer my questions...

What is your background? 

I studied for a BSc (Hons) in Estate Management at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh and completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with Edinburgh Business School.  I have worked in both the private sector and parastatals in Botswana specifically in the property asset management and facilities management functions.  I am currently in the banking sector where I am responsible for real estate valuations and property development projects spanning from residential to commercial developments.

Why did you decide to do a course in REIF?

Having a keen interest on the numbers side of real estate I wanted a programme that would elevate me to better understand the intricacies behind financing various real estate ventures, the concepts and forms of various finance, aspects of real estate valuation which is currently within the scope of my job role.  I also found the course interesting since it offered an in-depth study of indirect real estate investment vehicles such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), a concept which is not so common in Africa (South Africa is the only country with an established REIT market and attempts are underway in Kenya to structure and enhance REITs) albeit having existed in mature markets for a while such as the US and the UK.

Why did you choose the MSc REIF at Oxford Brookes?

First and foremost the programme at Oxford Brookes is offered in a very flexible mode of study being the international distance learning (IDL) mode which allowed me to still focus on my career and still spend time with my family without the need to relocate.  Furthermore the MSc REIF at Oxford Brookes has a comprehensive list of accreditations being the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS),Investment Property Forum (IPF), Asia Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles (ANREV), and Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA).

What did you gain from the course and how has it helped you in your career?  

The course has equipped me with invaluable skills in terms of real estate finance, real estate valuations and international best practice. Subsequent to completing the MSc REIF I enrolled with the RICS and submitted my preliminary assessment and happy to announce that I am currently awaiting my final interview! I have also gained some financial analysis skills which is crucial in my career especially when heading a division. My job role also involves analysing and scrutinising real estate deals and testing for viability and feasibility prior to the bank funding the transaction, the MSc REIF has significantly added a lot of insight and knowledge in this category through the real estate  investment finance and real estate investment markets modules. 

What did you choose for your dissertation topic and why? 

My dissertation topic was “Investigation of residential valuation accuracy in Botswana.” I chose the topic because predominantly the research on valuation accuracy has always focused on commercial properties and in mature economies (US, UK etc) so my research was aimed at contributing to the neglected emerging economies and on the residential side of the market.  Having been also exposed to the structure of the UK real estate profession I was interested in comparing and contrasting the real estate profession in Botswana, its regulatory bodies and how they all contribute and tie in to the real estate valuation profession and ultimately accuracy of the real estate valuations.

Thanks Obone. And you can find out more about the MSc/PGD REIF and book a place on one of our REIF Online Information Sessions by following the links below:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - course details

REIF Online Information Session - click to book a place

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance - student profiles

5 years of the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance

The original development team of Ye Xu (now the REIF programme leader) and Peter Dent who won
a university award for the development of the REIF programme

It is now 5 years since the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance (REIF) was launched by Oxford Brookes. The REIF programme was developed following an approach from APREA who wanted to find a UK university to develop their REIF certificate programme. Following formal university approval, Oxford Brookes now offers three routes through the REIF programme. The MSc (which is fully accredited by the RICS) and PG Diploma offer students the opportunity to study Real Estate Investment Finance in more depth and we also continue to offer the REIF programme as a CPD certificate. The features that made the original course so successful have been maintained and enhanced over the last 5 years:

An online, distance-learning programme tailored to students who are also working full-time
The REIF programme has been designed for real estate professionals across all sectors, as well as fund managers and investment bankers who would like to gain a better understanding of real estate as a financial asset in an investment portfolio. The programme is delivered online and offers students a flexible and innovative way to study. We have developed our use of digital media to bring together students from many different backgrounds and locations using our virtual learning platform as well as social media and webinars. Following student feedback, we have also developed our use of video - something that we feel is very important and contributes to the sense of community and belonging to the programme. We have developed a series of podcasts for each module, based around the learning packages and some modules also contain longer video lectures. A series of induction videos has also been developed for students on more general topics such as how to use the online Library.

A practically based programme which makes extensive use of real-life examples
This continues to be the focus of the programme and each module within it. Students appreciate the applicability of the programme to their work and also to their development within the workplace. As one of our students said: 'The course was very practical and applicable every way through my job. It opened my mind to global perspectives as well. All of these came in handy in my day to day property fund management role'.

Networking: opportunities to share knowledge, work practice and experience across the world 
We offer students the opportunity to come together online to share experiences and work practices which enrich the student experience. We hold at least two webinars during each module as well as Q&A sessions in the online chatroom. We also facilitate student networking through a series of (very active) WhatsApp groups as well as a REIF group for students and alumni on LinkedIn. 

Since it started in 2015, the REIF programme has widened its intake and we now have students all over the world. Locations include: Australia, Botswana, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Kenya, Latvia, Malaysia, St Lucia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, UAE, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Great news for the REIF programme as students (and staff) from many different backgrounds and locations can come together online to share experiences and work practices.

Input from industry experts 
As well as input to the programme from our external examiners (one of whom is an expert from industry), we hold an annual REIF Seminar Day for students, alumni and staff which is made up of a series of lectures from industry experts and staff on the REIF team. This seminar day is live-streamed and also involves interaction via webinars. And of course there is the input from our students and alumni who are working in industry. 

If you would like to find out more about the REIF programme you can:

• Visit the REIF programme page on the Oxford Brookes website
• Join one of our online information sessions - we normally hold 4 of these a year - the next sessions will be held on 21 May 2020 and 16 July 2020. Email rec-creif@brookes.ac.uk for more information
• Look at our REIF student profiles on this blog

REIF Graduation and Student Profiles

Graduation on 31 August 2018

As the MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance is an online course, our students are based all over the world - so they normally graduate 'in absentia'. This year however, we were delighted to welcome the first two graduates of the MSc Real Estate Investment Finance to actually attend graduation at Oxford Brookes. And we even managed to get them to provide profiles. The students were Crystal Palar (CP) and Lucas Shannon (LS), both are based in Singapore. Scroll down for the profiles...

Crystal (top) and Lucas shaking hands on the stage.

Processing out - led by the University Mace

After the ceremony with Ye Xu, REIF Programme Leader (left), Crystal (centre) and Lucas (right)

And the answers to my questions:

What is your background? 

CP: 14 years of real estate experience with Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), 4 years in Shanghai and 10 years in Singapore – started out in research, residential leasing and office leasing, culminating with my present role in JLL’s regional investment sales team, where my responsibilities involve advising clients on the sale and purchase of commercial properties across the AP region.

LS: Property Development and Investment throughout Asia for the past 24 years living in Australia, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Why did you decide to do a course in Real Estate Investment Finance?

CP: I had just moved from the commercial leasing team across to our investment sales team in 2008. When APREA’s CREIF course was introduced in 2007/08, I decided it would be a good course to kick start a deeper understanding of the world of real estate investment and finance. In 2016, after more than 8 years transactional experience, I learnt about OBU’s MSc REIF programme and was instantly attracted to the idea of: transferable 'prior learning' credit with a transfer exam for 4 of the 6 program modules; flexible virtual learning environment for the remaining 2 modules and a cost friendly top-up fee, while refreshing and enhancing my knowledge base and potentially expanding my network through meeting other students and the course practitioners.

LS: I worked for JLL and LaSalle Investment Management and was gravitating from development into the finance and investment side of property, so the course was a natural fit for my career.

Why did you choose the MSc REIF at Oxford Brookes? 

CP: Oxford Brookes is the alma mater of some of my colleagues and is well regarded in the real estate investment industry. It also offers one of the more recognised distant learning courses for an MSc in Real Estate.   

LS: The course was available online through the Singapore base. Oxford Brookes is also highly rated and recognised by companies in the real estate investment industry. 

What did you gain from the course and how has it helped you in your career?

CP: The transfer exams were a fantastic refresher of the basic foundations of real estate investment and finance. The dissertation which required interviews with peers and clients, was a great way to gain invaluable insights and build stronger professional relationships with all parties involved. The completion and subsequent gradation gave me a sense of achievement and satisfaction. The opportunity to visit Oxford and OBU and participate in the graduation ceremony, also provided me with a sense of pride at becoming a part of an intellectual and accomplished group of academic and business professionals.

LS: The course brought me up to speed with current activities and exposed me to international case studies outside Asia. It also refreshed my knowledge of specific standards and regulatory guidelines that are always changing in the industry.  It was definitely a personal achievement to finish the course.

What did you choose for your dissertation topic and why? 

CP: 'Real Estate Direct Investing by Institutional Investors after the Global Financial Crisis and its Implications for Unlisted Funds.' During the course of my work, I had noticed that interactions with investors were shifting from previously discussing sales opportunities primarily with GPs to expanding our marketing roadshows to include more LPs. In general, it became apparent that many LPs were more directly active in the underwriting and negotiations for investment opportunities. This made me want to get a better understanding, for the benefit of my day-to-day work, of the reasons that brought about this change and if it might be a permanent or temporary phenomenon.

LS: 'The Impact of E-commerce on the Retail and Industrial Real Estate Sectors.'  I had close connections with leading investors and developers in this sector and it was definitely a current issue changing the real estate sector.

For more information about the MSc/PGD Real Investment Finance take a look at our website:

MSc/PGD REIF

Real Estate Investment Finance: the REIF Seminar Day 2018

Students and alumni from the Real Estate Invetsment Finance (REIF) programme were invited to attend the 2018 REIF Seminar Day which was held on 21 June. The day was based at Oxford Brookes and streamed live across the world. As well as watching the live stream, REIF students were able to interact with the presenters using a virtual classroom.

The presenters...
clockwise from top left: Emma Wragg, Gerard Derricks, Richard Grover and Peter Dent, Henry Chin, Ramin Keivani

The following presentations were made:

Henry Chin, Head of Research (Asia Pacific) at CBRE and Visiting Professor at Oxford Brookes spoke about the Property Market Outlook in the Asia Pacific (APAC)

Ramin Keivani, Professor of International Land Policy and Urban Development at Oxford Brookes University gave a presentation about International Development and Property Markets

Richard Grover, Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes talked about 'Using Due Diligence to Prevent Financial Embarassment'

Emma Wragg, Senior Lecturer at Oxford Brookes gave a presentation about Institutional Investment in Affordable Housing Markets in Africa

Gerard Dericks, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate Economics and Finance at Oxford Brookes talked about 'How Starchitects Game London's Planning System'

The audience (about 35 students and alumni) watched and participated in the seminar from France, the UK, Kenya, the UAE, Dubai, Saint Lucia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Russia and Zimbabwe. Some of those taking part sent us a photo...

For more information about the online MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance and the CPD option, take a look at our website:

MSc/PGD Real Estate Investment Finance
OBU Certificate Real Estate Investment Finance (CPD)

Real Estate Investment Finance: the REIM Module

Last year, the School of the Built Environment (SBE) launched an online programme in Real Estate Investment Finance. The programme is available at MSc or Postgraduate Diploma level and also at Certificate level for those who want to take the modules for continuing professional development or training purposes.

The fourth module of the REIF programme is about to start and so it is time to continue the series of interviews with module leaders, this time with Mike Patrick, module leader for Real Estate Investment Markets. The photo below shows Mike introducing the Real Estate Investment Seminar Day which he hosted at Oxford Brookes in April 2015. Several recordings were also made that day for the REIF programme (take a look at the blog post here). Anyway, back to the interview, I asked Mike four questions:

• What did you study at university?
• How did you find your way into Real Estate?
• How does your module contribute to the overall REIF programme?
• What kind of teaching methods will you be using?

Mike Patrick, Module Leader for Real Estate Investment Markets

What did you study at university or college?
I studied Estate Management at Leicester Polytechnic and then spent 30 years working in real estate fund management in the City (of London) before starting at Oxford Brookes University as a Senior Lecturer.

How did you find your way into Real Estate?
My father was an accountant which to me sounded very boring. I wanted to do something that led to a professional qualification and didn't involve 'just sitting at a desk'. I found out about surveying from family friends who worked in the property industry and that was it. Decision made.

How does your module contribute to the overall REIF programme?
In the last 20 years real estate has has become an increasingly global business. Greater use has been made of indirect investment vehicles, innovative debt financing techniques and even derivatives as a way of achieving exposure to real estate returns. The REIM module provides students with an insight into this by considering the financing and structuring of real estate investment.

What kind of teaching methods will you be using?
Students will be directed to specific reading covering each of the topic areas within the module. Assessment will include both online tests (primarily for the numerical aspects of the module) and written assignments. There is also an online discussion board on the website and the tutor will host a number of face to face webchats.

Thanks Mike. You can find the other interviews with staff on the REIF programme here. If you want to find out more about the REIF programme, take a look here:

REIF on the Oxford Brookes University website

REIF on the Hot Property@Brookes blog

China, Vietnam and the RICS APC

The School of the Built Environment (Real Estate) has partnered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to develop a short training programme (now known as Oxford Adapt) for property professionals who wish to become members of the RICS. The programme was initially created (in 2009) specifically for senior professionals working in the property industry in China. The rapidly growing real estate market in Asia has created demand for this type of training in other countries and so the School took Oxford Adapt to Vietnam.

We are delighted to report that the fourth group of students from Vietnam have now passed the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

These Oxford Adapt students from Vietnam have now all qualified as MRICS

I caught up with two of our graduates from Oxford Adapt to find out how the programme has helped them in their work and what they're doing now. The first, An Hoai Nguyen (An) took Oxford Adapt in 2015 in Vietnam where she works as an Associate Director at CBRE Asia Pacific and the second, Luis Keats (Luis) took Oxford Adapt in China in 2010, and works at Jones Lang LaSalle as a Director and Head of Tenant Representation in Shanghai.

An Hoai Nguyen (left) and Luis Keats (right)

Here's how they answered my questions:

What subject did you study at University/College?
An: I graduated from the Hanoi Foreign Trade University, majoring in International Economics. After that, I obtained an MBA from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, with a concentration in Corporate Finance & Investment Banking.

Luis: Industrial Economics.

Why did you choose Real Estate as a career?
An: By the time I graduated from my MBA studies, real estate emerged as a favorite investment channel to Vietnamese people, surpassing that of investing in stock, forex, and bank savings. At the same time, the Vietnam’s real estate market started opening up to foreign investors, hence there was increasing demand for real estate professionals with international perspectives. I saw this as an opportunity to develop knowledge in real estate which requires comprehensive knowledge of economics, finance, and business.

Luis: Real Estate chose me actually, I was headhunted by DTZ.

Why did you decide to do Oxford Adapt with Oxford Brookes University?
An: Feedback from my colleagues who had attended the course with Oxford Brookes was very positive. Plus, I found the course well structured while it provides close supervision and helpful guidance alongside.

Luis: The fast track nature to RICS qualification and the professional, highly qualified and respectable team from Oxford Brookes that delivered the course.

What were the best bits of Oxford Adapt?
An: The best bits were that the course provided a comprehensive overview of the real estate profession, helping candidates of different practice areas understand where their practice area falls into the big picture as well as their relevance.  Also, there was a strong emphasis on ethics / code of conduct which is much needed for MRICS practicing in developing/emerging markets such as Vietnam.

Luis: Online platform combined with face to face seminars was the perfect balance for those of us with a full time job. The overall content was very well balanced but for me the best part was the introduction to Valuations, which I was not familiar with up to then. The assistance and preparation for the final RICS interview was perfect and fully comprehensive.

And the most challenging bits?
An: The most challenging bit was to find time to complete the course work and especially the Critical Analysis. Handling pressure was also another challenge although it did effectively provide the motivation to complete the work.

Luis: The most challenging for me was memorising all the RICS definitions!

What was the final RICS interview like?
An: A nerve wracking experience indeed no matter how much you had prepared for it. The multiple mock interviews conducted with Oxford Brookes supervisors had been very helpful, providing a sense of an actual interview and helping to anticipate questions.

Luis: The interview was quite nerve wracking but all the hard work and preparation paid off.

Now that you've qualified as MRICS, how has it helped you in your career?
An: Definitely enhanced my credibility within the company. The knowledge picked up from the course is also very useful, and so is the guidance from RICS on various topics. I also made friends from the course which helps to solidify network in the industry. I look forward to enhancing my network both in Vietnam and on regional level through RICS, as well as continually updating and broadening knowledge of the profession/industry.

Luis: Being MRICS is a badge of honour and it immediately boosted my confidence in front of peers, clients and prospects. As time has passed I feel the most valuable part of being MRICS is the emphasis on Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and the maintenance of the highest professional standards in the industry, particularly for those of us who work in the more 'opaque' markets.


For more information about Oxford Adapt, take a look at our web page here: Oxford Adapt

Real Estate Investment Finance: the REIF module

The Department of Real Estate and Construction (REC) recently launched a new online programme in Real Estate Investment Finance. The programme is available at MSc or Postgraduate Diploma level and also at Certificate level for those who want to take the modules for continuing professional development or training purposes.

Now that the second module of the REIF programme is in full swing, I thought it might be interesting to interview some of the module leaders. Along the way I discovered a wealth of experience and skills. I asked each of them four questions:

• What did you study at university? 
• How did you find your way into Real Estate?
• How does your module contribute to the overall REIF programme?
• What kind of teaching methods will you be using?

The first module leader to be interviewed is Richard Grover, who leads the module on Real Estate Investment Finance and was conducting an introductory webinar when I took this photo:

Richard Grover and Ye Xu from the REIF Team conducting a webinar for the REIF module

What did you study at university or college?

I went to the University of Kent at Canterbury before there had been any graduates. It was a new university. You will gather by now that I am part of the post-war bulge. Everything had to be built or enlarged to accommodate us. I took a social science degree, eventually specialising in economic history.

How did you find your way into Real Estate?

By accident. I have always been interested in property. I took economic history because it allowed you to study real urban areas and property rights whereas economics was mainly concerned with mathematical models that bore little relationship to the real world. My grandfather was one of the first people to take advantage of the 1967 Leasehold Enfranchisement Act to buy the freehold of his leasehold house. I was fascinated by his explanation of the process - very much a case of a teenager thinking that at 14 his grandfather knew nothing but being surprised at 17 to find how much the old man had learned during the previous three years (borrowed from Mark Twain!). I got a job teaching economics on a real estate management course at Portsmouth - and then I was hooked.

How does your module contribute to the overall REIF programme?

It is difficult these days to get away from finance in real estate. Even organisations that used to pay little attention to the value of their property, like charities and government departments, now need to be aware of the costs of the real estate they use. They have become more like businesses in their approach to management. The teaching of real estate in many business schools has meant that the ideas from finance have become embedded in our understanding of real estate, making understanding of them essential if one is to communicate with one's fellow professionals.

What kind of teaching methods will you be using?

Like many teachers I am instinctively an empiricist. I am not wedded to a particular philosophy of education but willing to try any teaching method to see if it works. Coming back to distance learning after a long gap, I am struck by how much the technology has changed and what it is now possible to do. To give a flavour of how things have changed, when I first started in distance learning, we had computer-marked assignments, which were then regarded as being revolutionary. Students had to fill out a card by hand (pencils only as the computer could not read ink!). The cards had to be posted to the university for the computer to read and the printed feedback posted back to the students. Although the technology has changed almost beyond belief, I don't think the fundamentals of distance learning have. Students need clear texts that they can work through, regular tests so that they are able to check their progress, and a tutor that they can get hold of when everything is going wrong or they cannot understand the material or make the systems work. Technology has changed how we present and deliver material and the most effective means of communication but the fundamentals of education have not changed. Distance learning is about ensuring that motivated students have good and clear study material they can work through and that they do not feel isolated in their struggles to learn and to balance the commitments of work, study and families.

Thanks Richard. Watch out for some more interviews on the blog soon. If you want to find out more about the REIF programme, take a look here:

REIF on the Oxford Brookes University website

REIF on the Hot Property@Brookes blog