How do you become a Master of Real Estate?
With the share of assets under management doubling since 2010, Australia needs more property specialists with the skills to manage the fourth asset class, says University of Technology Sydney’s Gerard De Valence.
Gerard de Valence (pictured), the senior lecturer in UTS’ School of the Built Environment, says the rise and rise of the real estate asset class is a “real phenomenon”.
“The share of total assets under management has grown incredibly quickly over the last few years, and nearly doubled between 2010 and 2015,” he says.
At the same time, real estate was officially named a separate asset class by S&P on the stock exchange in September, something de Valence says is important because it “creates legitimacy and awareness, and ultimately makes real estate more attractive to investors”.
“As this asset class grows, the demand for portfolio managers, financial analysts and other people who can understand real estate is growing too.”
While Australia already has a depth of skill and knowledge, de Valence says there is a “specific toolkit that comes with real estate that make it a highly-distinctive asset class”.
UTS’ Master of Real Estate Investment is the only specialist investment degree in Australia, evolving from the university’s popular qualification in property development. The course covers finance, investment, management, valuation and analysis skills required to succeed in the global real estate investment sector.
De Valence says the course is attracting a range of students – from those who are already in the industry and want to accelerate their career trajectory, to those with a business or commerce background who want to acquire a real estate specialisation.
The course shares subjects with other masters’ programs in business administration and property development – covering topics from financial literacy to property evaluation.
“We’ve also developed some specialist subjects for the Master of Real Estate – so people understand how to take apart a REIT balance sheet and understand strategic asset allocation, for example.
“We’ll have our first graduates this year, and the feedback so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re optimistic that the Master of Real Estate will gain the same reputation as UTS’ Master of Property Development – a course that is now widely recognised as a gateway for people wanting to join the industry.”
Learn how the UTS Master of Real Estate can give you a competitive advantage in the global property investment boom.