The world of real estate is exciting. It is one of the most dynamic and talked-about asset growth opportunities in today’s economy. According to the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA, 2019), the global commercial real estate assets stands at US$30 trillion and with a total value of global real estate assets worth US$228 Trillion, opportunities for BSc (RE) graduates are limitless.

At the heart of real estate is the creation and management of wealth. The BSc (RE) programme for undergraduates provides the best-rounded, grounded and practical training for our students to make their mark on the built environment.

The knowledge base required of real estate professionals has expanded considerably in view of the increasing trend towards globalisation and greater integration of real estate markets with global financial markets. As such, we have continuously reviewed our curricula to ensure that they are cutting-edge and encompass three broad areas of knowledge: The financial and investment element deals with real estate space and asset markets. Wealth creation and measurement revolves around real estate development and valuation. Urban policy addresses macro urban planning and management. Students interested in real estate finance and urban planning could choose to take up our two specialisations.

Our graduates, including many prominent and successful alumni in diverse fields locally and internationally, play key roles in the development of the built environment as well as the advancement of the quality of urban living.

We have a team of dedicated academic staff who are committed to excellence in real estate education and research. As reflected in the numerous international awards conferred on them, they are also at the forefront of research. A strong research culture benefits our students ultimately because classroom lessons are aligned with new knowledge at the frontier.

So join us for Real Estate education in NUS. We are confident that our programmes will nurture your talents and push your limits to help you make your mark on the built environment across countries and borders in creating and managing wealth.

• BSc(Real Estate) is a 4-years direct honours programme.
• It is a professional course accredited by the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV) and the UK Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• The normal candidature is 4 years. Students, in particular those from polytechnics, who are granted module exemptions (APCs) may complete the course within 3.5 years.

To quote the eminent and master educator, James A. Graaskamp,

“Real estate is not a number crunching exercise but is a series of problem solving opportunities which interface practical tools of applied social science with every major issue of our time in terms of the conservation of both our people and our natural resources.”

In our opinion, from a pedagogical and an intellectual perspective, given that real estate is a complex business, real estate education should be multifaceted and multidisciplinary in approach, attenuated with critical thinking skills and deep learning. We currently do not offer a real estate track in our programme. Part of this is that we have the resources to offer a degree programme, but more importantly, it has to do with what we earnestly believe in – we do not think that a five-module track could thoroughly train a real estate professional.

The NUS Department of Real Estate is a pioneer and a leader in real estate education. The BSc (RE) programme was the first to be established in Singapore. It is a comprehensive full time direct honours degree programme, offering 20 compulsory core modules and 5 elective modules. Students with a passion in finance and investments have the option to do a specialisation in Real Estate Finance with this degree. If you are interested in urban planning, you can also opt to do a concurrent degree with us and obtain a Masters in Urban Planning in five years.

The programme also offers opportunities for students to take on internships and overseas exchange programme. Many bond-free scholarships are available for our BSc (RE) students. With our long history and deep industry connections, students will be able to tap on engagement events such as industry leader/alumni talks and mentorship programme to gain insights into the industry.

• Because real estate is multi-disciplinary, the programme covers disciplines such as economics, finance, law, management, marketing and urban planning and applies them to the real world of business, investment and management of real estate.
• BSc (RE) curriculum encompass three broad areas of knowledge, namely:
  • Analytics, Finance and Investment;
  • Development, Enterprise and Services
  • Economics, Planning and Policy.

Real Estate Finance – The introduction of REITs has dramatically changed the landscape of real estate investment, heightening the demand for real estate professionals who are equipped with knowledge in real estate finance and securitisation. The specialisation will prepare students for a professional career in institutional real estate investment and finance, ranging from REITs, banks, sovereign wealth funds and private equity funds.

Students who are interested in further studies in Urban Planning can consider the Concurrent Degree Programme – BSc (RE) + Master of Urban Planning.

Yes, a BSc (RE) student can also opt to pursue minors in other fields as well as another major.

With effect from AY2017, ‘A’ level students are able to apply for direct admissions to the following:

• Minor in Business Analytics (School of Computing)
• Minor in Management (NUS Business School)
• Minor in Infrastructure Management and Finance (Department of Building, Department of Real Estate (SDE) and Faculty of Engineering)

In addition, BSc (RE) students could also consider the ad-hoc double degree combination with other majors. In recent years, BSc (RE) students have gone on to pursue the following combinations:

• BSc (RE) + BBA
• BSc (RE) + BBA (Accounting)
• BSc (RE) + BA (Geography)
• BSc (RE) + BEng (Civil Engineering)

Student may consider pursuing an ad-hoc double-degree combination with the BSc (RE) programme (e.g. BBA with BSc (RE) or BA (Geography) with BSc (RE)). Double degree programmes with BSc (RE) may take up to 4.5 years.

Students could also consider the Second Major in Real Estate Finance (40 Modular Credits – approximately 10 modules), or a Minor in Real Estate (20 Modular Credits – approximately 5 modules).

The department also partners with other departments to offer the following minors:

• Minor in Infrastructure, Management and Finance (Dept of Built Environment & Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (College of Design and Engineering)
• Minor in Urban Studies (Dept of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

In addition to regular lectures and seminars, site visits are conducted to allow students to experience learning through various ways.

• Students may apply for Student Exchange Programmmes (SEP) and NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programmes which allow them to study or work overseas for a period of three months to a year.
• There are internship opportunities for students at the end of their 2nd year and 3rd year of study. This is to give our students a first-hand experience of the corporate world before they embark on their career.
• During the long vacation, DRE will also organise a summer programme, which involves a field trip to study a regional market. Students will get the opportunity to examine country/region-specific issues in socioeconomic, demographic and political dimensions underlying the real estate process. Past destinations include South Korea, London, Tokyo, Taiwan, China, etc.

The School hopes to inspire and encourage more students to accumulate valuable work-related experiences prior to graduation by formalising internships as part of the undergraduate curriculum. Under the revised curriculum, students may earn up to 12 modular credits (equivalent to three modules) through an internship experience.

For more information on credit bearing internships, please refer to this website.

Apart from numerous NUS-level scholarships, the Department of Real Estate also offers many of its own scholarships as we believe that no deserving student should be denied higher education due to financial need. The following financial aid will be offered to eligible students:

• NUS Merit Scholarship
• Asia Fund Space Scholarship
• IRAS Scholarship for Real Estate*
• Melvin Poh and Francine Lee RE Scholarship
• NH Seek Fund Scholarship
• NUS Real Estate Scholarship
• Perennial Real Estate Holdings Scholarship
• Raffles Quay Asset Management Study Grant
• BEMA Bursary
• DRE Endowed Bursary

*comes with bond obligation

The following scholarships offered by government agencies and statutory boards are also available to students who wish to pursue the BSc (Real Estate) programme:

• BCA Scholarship
• HDB Scholarship
• IRAS Scholarship
• JTC Scholarship
• SLA Scholarship
• URA Scholarship
• MND EDGE Scholarship
• Enterprise Singapore Global Executive
• Undergraduate Scholarship

In a nutshell, there are quicker pathways (than 4-years!) to become a real estate salesperson. You do not need to come to our programme if you aspire to become a realtor or a real estate agent. Many people mistake real estate to mean brokerage or agency business. Real estate is much more than that – it encompasses many businesses and strategic activities; Real estate is more than just housing, it has a diverse range of forms and uses, for example, shopping centres, hotels, offices, and industrial and business parks.

At the heart of real estate is the creation and management of wealth. Managing real estate is far more enterprising and challenging because of its huge scale, visibility and lasting impact on society.

Real estate graduates play key roles in the development of the built environment as well as the advancement in the quality of urban living.

Nonetheless, if you are indeed interested in becoming a real estate salesperson, you may wish to consult the Council for Estate Agencies website.

BSc (RE) graduates are readily employed by both public and private sectors. In addition, they have found employment within the private corporate sector, investment fund management and the banking industry. The wide-ranging career choices include. Real Estate Finance & Investment; Real Estate Fund Management; Business Development, Acquisitions & Deal Structuring; Real Estate Investment Trusts; Town Planning & Urban Management; Asset Management; Corporate Real Estate Management; Real Estate Development & Entrepreneurship; Real Estate Consultancy, Valuation & Marketing; and Property & Facilities Management.

Check out our webpage here for the list of employers of real estate graduates.

It is understandable that you should be concerned with this issue when deciding which course to pursue in the university. However, this question is also applicable to the other courses: Will I be able to secure a good job after I complete my studies in the university? Job opportunities in general are a function of the state of the economy, among many other factors. While it may be difficult to forecast the state of the economy 4 years down the road, our past experiences suggest that there will be a sustained demand for BSc (RE) graduates across economic cycles to service the growing real estate industry.

According to the 2021 graduate employment survey, the average gross salary of a graduate in real estate is $3,692. The 75th percentile is $4,000. In addition to starting salary, one should be concerned with your career progression. The prospect of advancement and promotion is high for real estate graduates.

For candidates with A Level Certification

• H1 Pass in Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics
• Pass in at least two subjects at H2 Level
• Pass in either General Paper (GP) or Knowledge and Inquiry (KI)
• Meet NUS Mother Tongue Language (MTL) requirements

For candidates with Polytechnic Diploma

• Good grades in any diplomas from a local Polytechnic
• Minimum pass in GCE ‘O’ Level Elementary Mathematics

For candidates with NUS High School Diploma

• • A good major CAP in either Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry
  • Meet NUS Mother Tongue Language (MTL) requirements

For candidates with International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

• • Pass in SL Chemistry or Mathematics or Physics
  • See other Admissions Requirements

The average number of students range from 120 to 150. The intake for AY2021/22 was 126.

APCs are available and are granted to polytechnic graduates based on their course of study in the polytechnics.

Admission to the BSc (RE) programme is on a competitive basis. It would not be possible to gauge the intensity of competition this year. Nevertheless, the NUS website maintained by the OAM provides general information about candidates who were successful in their applications in the previous year. Please refer to the website for the Indicative Grade Profile (IGP) related to the BSc (RE) course.