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BSc (HONS) 

PROPERTY 

PLANNING& 

DEVELOPMENT 

SCHOOL OF SURVEYING & PLANNING

BSc (HONS) PROPERTY 

PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT 

WHY STUDY PROPERTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT? 

Property development underpins all human activity. We spend up to an estimated 90% of 

our lives in buildings. They are where people work, play and live. If buildings are poorly 

designed and wrongly located, they will not promote the sustainable communities which 

underpin successful societies. Also, nearly 50% of all carbon emissions in the UK come 

from property, through its construction, use and demolition, so the location and design of 

buildings is critical in enabling us to respond to climate change. Lastly, real estate is an 

important investment medium and hence a key contributor to the economy. Therefore the 

ways in which our places and spaces are planned is a key activity that requires skilled and 

committed professional advisers. 

Decision-making for the planning of real estate development is complex and requires real 

engagement and negotiation between those acting on behalf of the community, namely the 

planning authorities, and those advising the proposers of development. This programme 

aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to provide such key advice whether working 

for planning authorities or for the property developer, the community or for owners and 

occupiers of land affected by development proposals. For this you need knowledge and 

understanding of financial, economic, environmental and social issues, building design and 

construction, as well as the complexities of the planning decision–making process. 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 

The programme can be studied full time over three years or over 4 years with an optional 

placement year (subject to job availability) or part time over 5 years. Part-time study 

normally involves attendance one day a week; full-time study is taught over 3 days, 

therefore allowing you time for work experience or extra-curricular activity as well as 

private study. 

HOW WE TEACH AND ASSESS YOU 

A career in planning and/or property development calls for deep subject knowledge and 

many practical and professional skills; our teaching and assessment methods reflect this. 

Not only will you have lectures, seminars and tutorials; you will also be taught the key skills 

that you will need in practice such as IT, teamworking and professional ethics and we hold 

special skills and tutorial weeks to reinforce your learning. Teaching is not confined to the



classroom and you will experience site visits and field trips to help you put theory into 

practice. These normally include short residential visits in the first and final year whilst a 

week-long study visit in the second year, normally to Dublin, is a highlight of the 

programme. 

Assessment takes many forms. There are some examinations but the emphasis is on 

coursework with essays, case studies, oral and poster presentations, live projects and 

debates all being part of our approach to assessment. In the final year you will also 

undertake a research project that you will devise, plan and carry out under supervision. 

We also recognise that successful graduates learn to balance their lives between work 

and play and we keep space clear within the teaching programme for you to participate 

in sport, music or any of the other activities that are on offer. 

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS 

We understand that undertaking a degree can present many challenges both personally and 

academically. To help you fulfil your potential you will have a personal tutor who will 

support your learning and help you access all the many support services that a large 

comprehensive university such as Kingston offers from study skills, to finance, disability 

support and to employment advice. 

EMPLOYABILITY 

We want you to achieve your ambition to have a fulfilling career when you graduate. We 

therefore maintain strong links with employers and the professional bodies and we 

encourage you to undertake work experience or internships, enter competitions and take 

part in the wider life of the University so that you have a strong CV when you complete your 

studies. Visiting practitioner lecturers, assistance with e.g. CV writing and interview skills 

and undertaking live projects all ensure that you are well prepared to apply for good 

graduate positions on graduation. Graduates from the programme go on to work within 

property development companies, real estate and/or planning consultancies, large 

corporate property occupiers, such as major retailers or within central or local 

government.



PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION 

The programme is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 

(www.rics.org). 

ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS 

300 UCAS points or BTEC HND 2 distinctions; 3 merits plus at least 5 GCSEs at Grade C or 

above including maths and English 

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY 

YEAR 1 

SV4104 Context of Sustainable Development 

This module aims to help students gain an understanding of urban growth, its history and 

the emergence of legislation to control the development of land and buildings supported by 

the use of case studies. It is also designed to help students gain an understanding of 

economic theory as applied to commercial real estate. The content of the module 

also provides for an insight into the general principles and issues connected with 

sustainability, the role of governments in its implementation at international, 

national and local levels and the part that individuals and stakeholders, particularly 

the property industry, can/ought to play in achieving it. Assessment will be through 

coursework and an examination. The coursework includes a practical field-trip study and 

an essay. Tutorials and workshops support lectures for student focused learning. 

SV4107 Principles of Valuation & Appraisal 

The aim of this module is to enable students to have an understanding and appreciate the 

basic principles of economic theory and investment, the role of the media and the main 

institutions in the marketplace and how they operate. Students will be taught to construct, 

calculate and apply financial formulae to investments and understand their application to 

property. They will understand the role of the valuer and be able to apply the appropriate 

method to value different types of property. The module is taught by a series of lectures, 

seminars and IT workshops, where students are expected to take an active part. 

Assessment is by coursework, including a portfolio of tutorials or timed-based



workshop assessments. 

SV4100 Property Construction & Inspection 

The aim of this module is to give students a grounding in basic construction methods, 

structural behaviour and building performance, including the study of building materials in 

order to enable them to develop an ability to provide an assessment of a building’s 

structure and condition, including common defects, to give advice on its future potential. 

At the same time the social, economic and environmental consequences of building 

construction are to be appreciated. Assessment will be by coursework only applied through 

critical, practical projects. The coursework includes preparing an illustrated portfolio, 

undertaking a building survey and inspection and producing a planned maintenance and 

repairs report. Site visits, tutorials and workshops support lectures for learning to be 

student centred. 

SV4106 Principles of Law and Organisation 

This introductory module provides students with a thorough grounding in both the basics of 

organisational management and the legal context in which property and construction 

operates. Lectures introduce students to the principles of English law and its relationship 

with the European Union (EU) Law; to the nature of business and other organisations’ 

structures such as charities and professional bodies. A series of scenario exercises, which 

may involve a site visit supported by tutorials, help students through their learning process. 

Assessment is by coursework comprising both group and individual elements and a timed 

computer-based test.



YEAR 2 

SV5510 Planning & Development Practice 

As part of this module students attend a European field trip and work on a development 

project as part of an inter-disciplinary team with students from other programmes. This 

module aims to develop students’ knowledge of current planning legislation and policies in 

a practice-related context and for them to be made aware of new and emerging planning 

policy and developing trends. Assessment of the module is by coursework only. One 

assessment, centred around the field trip, includes three elements of a group report, 

presentation and individual reflective diary, whilst another assessment involves group 

seminars and discussions followed by an individual portfolio on statutory planning 

provisions and development management practice. The field trip, site visits, tutorials and 

workshops are in support of lectures - learning is student focused. On completion, students 

should have a good working knowledge of both the legislative framework and practice 

common to development management. 

SV5514 Valuation & Appraisal in Context 

This module builds on students’ existing knowledge of property appraisal and valuation 

techniques and develops their skills further. Students undertake more complex problems 

applying a range of established techniques. This module also develops investment 

appraisal techniques and applies the use of cash flows to property investments with further 

more complex statistical analysis with IT workshops. The module is taught through lecture 

and seminar and interactive IT workshops. Assessment is by coursework and examination.



SV5112 Spatial Planning: Policy & Practice 

This module seeks to ensure that all students have a broad and critical understanding of 

the principles of spatial planning at different spatial levels to form a context for local 

planning to help create high quality and sustainable places. The module recognises the 

significance of spatial planning in the delivery of sustainability and a joined up approach to 

development and service provision. Also the module introduces students to academic 

writing and criticism related to their field of study providing an opportunity for them to 

develop both their reflective research and plan making skills. Students will undertake a 

literature review in order to produce a mock issue of a journal on a subject relevant 

to spatial planning. The other assessment will involve an evidence based report to support 

the drafting of either a neighbourhood plan or a supplementary planning document. 

Site visits, case studies, tutorials and workshops support lectures. Assessment is through 

coursework only. 

SV5113 Sustainable Place Making and Design Skills 

The purpose of this module is to introduce the principles of design and make them relevant 

to planning and development. These principles will be explored and used to control the 

design of buildings as well as to assist in the improvement and enhancement of the making 

and shaping of places for the future. Local characteristics and distinctiveness will be 

studied to understand the influences that have made and shaped places into what they are 

today so that solutions and changes to problems of space and place can be suggested and 

planned. Students will acknowledge the role and importance of urban designers in the 

delivery of design and place making. The awareness of design-related skills will be gained 

through working on a practical case study exposing the features of a space and place to 

extrapolate future sustainable design solutions. This will involve a group place analysis 

study and an individual reflective report followed by group work and the creation of a 

master plan. An individual essay is also used to assess the underlying concepts, principles 

and theories of urban design and place making. Site visits, tutorials and practical, 

crit-based workshops support lectures for student led learning. Assessment will be 

through coursework.



YEAR 3 

SV6104 Development in Action 

This module reintroduces students to the main stages within the cyclical process that 

shapes and influences the activities undertaken by different participants and stakeholders, 

throughout the building lifecycle. It furthers students’ ability to analyse and debate and 

present matters of topical and fundamental importance within the field of planning and 

property development. Students learn how to become mutually supportive and independent 

learners. The module will incorporate a field trip to a major city in the UK or Europe. 

The assessments make use of the field trip location to focus on the process involved 

in the conception of a development through to its disposal and renewal. Not only is 

knowledge and understanding tested in this process but students are also expected to 

reflect on the different stages in the process and their part in it as well as to be able to 

apply critical thinking and provide professional advice. The field trip, site visits, tutorials 

and workshops support the lectures and allow for student led learning. 

SV6103 Development Funding and Finance 

This module aims to develop in students a detailed knowledge and understanding of 

property development strategies, funding and different sources of finance from the 

perspective of both developers and planners. Macroeconomic drivers of supply and 

demand that influence development markets and funding arrangements, including 

sustainability issues, are studied and explored through the use of case studies and 

practical examples. Students relate stakeholder interests, client requirements and 

planning considerations to the design and development of property when detailing 

a site layout and individual building. Assessment includes a simulated practical piece of 

coursework focused on the financing of a development project and an examination to test 

understanding and knowledge across the module. Site visits to different case studies, 

seminar discussions, tutorials and workshops support lectures to allow for student focused 

learning.



SV6105 Professional Practice in Context 

This module builds on students’ existing knowledge of the law and professional practice 

related to their subject specific route and further develops their analytical and critical skills 

when encountering legal and professional practice problems. Knowledge of professional 

liability law is developed together with other aspects of professional practice ethical, legal 

and due diligence requirements. This module also ensures that students have developed a 

holistic understanding of sustainability as it applies to built environment professional 

practice The module is taught by a series of lectures and practical skills based application 

seminars. Assessment is by coursework assignments, one of which normally includes oral 

argument and debate. 

SV6107 Research Project 

The Research Project is a compulsory 30 credit module for all students on Surveying and 

Planning undergraduate programmes. It provides an opportunity for each student in their 

final year of study to initiate, design and execute a small scale research project under 

supervision. Students will have the opportunity to study in-depth a relevant topic which they 

find particularly stimulating and to further develop and practice their research skills which 

they have acquired at earlier levels of their programme of study. 

In undertaking the work they should demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing 

literature and in using one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse 

data and draw well-founded conclusions. To support the student a series of lectures in 

research methods is given and individual one-to-one supervision ensures that the student 

is supported in the process. Assessment is by submission of an interim assessment and 

the completed Project. An oral defence either at the interim stage or final submission will 

form part of the process, thereby checking understanding and assessing the student’s 

ability to articulate their ideas and knowledge. Students who are studying part time may 

undertake a project that relates to their workplace if deemed appropriate. The project will 

provide an opportunity for students to synthesise all their learning from the programme 

and is the final Capstone project. This project, together with their Capstone Projects in 

their route specific module and the Level 5 major project ensures students have integrated 

their learning and have developed a particular skill and expertise relevant to their future 

employability.



ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF SURVEYING & PLANNING 

Welcome to the School of Surveying & Planning, one of the 5 Schools that make up the 

Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture here at Kingston University. The School has been 

established for many years and offers a wide range of built environment programmes from 

our Foundation Degree in Historic Building Conservation (in partnership with the Building 

Crafts College) to a lively band of PhD candidates, and it has built its reputation on 

innovatively designed and strongly practice-orientated courses, which provide confident 

graduates who are well equipped to take their place in the world of professional practice 

across a wide spectrum of opportunities from quantity surveying to real estate and to urban 

design. Uniquely, we also offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts 

market, jointly with colleagues for the School of Art & Design History, as the principles of 

appraising, valuing and transacting what is known as ‘personal property’ are very similar to 

those applying to real estate. So if you have an interest in the built environment, from how 

it is planned, to its construction and its eventual use – including the study of objects - we 

might have just the course for you! 

We are very proud of our many achievements, including the gaining some years ago of 

Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching status based on our work in promoting 

sustainability throughout the curriculum. The theme of sustainability remains a key thread 

in all we do – both at School level and more widely in the University. Recently, our students 

have been very successful in national and local competitions, winning awards such as the 

National Women in Property Award and the National Planning Quiz. 

We also value the relationships we have formed with the accrediting professional bodies 

who recognise our courses and our graduates. We were one of the very first universities to 

achieve ‘Partnership’ status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and we 

have built strong links with our other accrediting bodies: the Royal Town Planning Institute 

(RTPI), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and most recently the Institute of Historic 

Building Conservation (IHBC). Recognition by a professional body means that graduates 

can enter into professional practice and commence their experience period towards gaining 

chartered status. Students studying part time or on sandwich courses may start their 

professional experience period prior to graduation.



OUR COURSES 

Each course within the School focuses on one or more of the broad range of surveying 

specialisms, for example: residential property, planning and development or building 

surveying. We offer a suite of 7 specialisms at undergraduate level and all these are 

available at postgraduate level as ‘conversion’ masters programmes, aimed at providing 

graduates from other disciplines with routes into the professions. Additionally, at 

postgraduate level, we have developed programmes such as MA Planning & Sustainability 

and MA Sustainable Place-making and Urban Design, which offer dual RICS/RTPI 

accreditation. 

When a student joins one of our programmes, we hope they stay in touch well beyond their 

graduation. We offer a range of short course to help graduates prepare for their RICS final 

Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), as well as a series of continuing 

professional development lectures and seminars. Furthermore, we have many graduates 

who stay in touch by providing visiting lectures for our current students and frequently 

become employers of our next generation of graduates. 

Details of our programmes can be found at fada.kingston.ac.uk 

OUR STAFF 

Our staff have established reputations in industry and in research and are eminent in their 

fields – their diverse areas of interest ensure a lively and stimulating learning environment. 

Teaching is complemented by input from visiting speakers who have significant 

contemporary professional experience and by part-time staff who combine a career in 

practice with their teaching and research commitments.



OUR RESEARCH 

The School is engaged in practice orientated research primarily across the appraisal and 

planning fields, and within recent years we have provided several research reports to 

government in relation to planning policy in addition to writing professional body guidance. 

Other colleagues have been responsible for writing key texts within the field - such as the 

Planning Factbook - and have contributed chapters to books on sustainability education 

and the professional skills agenda. Research is managed through our two centres: The 

Real Estate Research Centre primarily concentrates on appraisal, law and regulation and 

planning, whilst C-SCAIPE(the Centre for Sustainable Communities Achieved through 

Integrated Professional Education) has an educational agenda focused on a holistic view of 

sustainable principles and strives to drive forward the ambitions for a more sustainable 

society. Research students provide a growing number of students within the School. 

For more information about research within the Faculty, visit 

www.kingston.ac.uk/fada/research

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