Overview

Background
The degree of Master of Real Estate Economics, previously known as Master of Arts in Valuation
and Property Management, at the University of Nairobi was launched in the Department of Real
Estate and Construction Management in the Academic Year-1998 to provide for the advanced
managerial and technical service needs of real estate sector in Kenya and the region. It still remains
the only post-graduate programme for the industry in the East African Community, and targets real
estate professionals including valuers, property managers, building surveyors, land and housing
administrators. Since its inception it has attracted students from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and also from Gambia. It has provided most of the teaching staff for the academic institutions that offer real estate programmes. With continuous growth of real estate sector both locally and in the region, the programme will continue to attract more students.


Philosophy of the Programme
The programme is to produce highly motivated and innovative postgraduate students prepared to solve problems of a demanding real estate industry. The problems often faced in the market include but not limited to investment value and risk analysis, facilities management, property taxation and resettlement action plans for involuntary resettlement. As population grows the sector continuously grapples with the need not only for increased infrastructure and facilities but equally for their management for sustainability.

Rationale of the Programme
Demand for skills and expertise in property valuation, property development appraisals, land and housing administration and property management. continues to grow, particularly with the devolved system of government in Kenya that portends to expand the real estate market in the emerging urban areas within the respective counties. This expertise will be useful to people directly involved in real estate property management  and valuation. It is also valuable for decision makers who must judge real estate investment proposals prepared by others. The course is useful in the promotion of careers for professionals working in national and county governments, financial institutions, international organizations, private enterprises, and real estate consulting firms that use these skills intensively. It is the only course in the Eastern and Southern African region offering this unique combination of postgraduate training in valuation, property management and housing  administration.


Goal of the Programme
The goal is to train highly qualified real estate practitioners who have well developed competencies for research and innovation in property valuation, property management, building surveying and land and housing administration for both urban and rural areas of Kenya. The programme aims to develop proficiency in operational skills of candidates so that they can effectively apply them in making rationalized decisions in all aspects of property management and administration for prosperity and posterity.
 

 MODE OF DELIVERY OF THE PROGRAMME

Mode of delivery will be both face-to-face and ODeL

Face – to Face Mode

The programme will adopt face -to –face mode of instruction using various techniques which include didactic lectures, case studies, and seminar presentations

 e- Learning (ODeL) Mode

The open, distance and electronic mode of learning will be offered using multi-media approach that include self-instructional print and electronic study materials.

There will be limited face-to-face instruction during residential training or through skype up to a maximum of one third of the instruction time for the course programme.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

The course comprises 16 compulsory course units and a research project as listed below.

6.1      First Year of Studies

Candidates shall be required to take six courses in the First Semester, and five courses in the Second Semester

(i)      Semester 1

BLE 501         Research Methods

BLE 503         Property Development

BLE 507         Computer Application in Valuation and Property Management

BLE 509        Urban Economics and Management         

BLE 511         Land Management

 

(ii)      Semester 2

BLE 500                 Valuation of Natural Resources                                   45 Hours

BLE 502                 Financial Management in Real Estate                        45 Hours

BLE 504                 Property Management                                                   45 Hours

BLE 506                 Property Portfolio Investment                                                            45 Hours

BLE 508                             Environmental Impact Assessment                          45 Hours

    1. Second Year of Studies

Candidates shall be required to take rive written courses in the First Semester, and undertake a research project to be examined at the end of Second Semester.

(i)           Semester 1

BLE 600 Professional Practice                                                                                  45 Hours

BLE 601 Property Agency and Marketing                                                               45 Hours

BLE 602 Valuation of Equipment, Furniture and Fittings                  45 Hours

BLE 603 Risk Management and Loss Adjustment                                                     45 Hours

BLE 604 Arbitration and Conflict Management in Real Property   45 Hours

 

 

(i)           Semester 2

BLE 605         Research Project                                                                      225 Hours

SCHEDULE OF INTAKES

The program has one intake per year. This application portal is normally open throughout the year, however the classes begin every September. To access the application system, check the Online Application link on the website.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Common Regulations for the Master’s Degree in All Faculties of the University of 

 Nairobi shall be applicable except where otherwise stated in these regulations.

The following shall be eligible for admission into the Master of Real Estate Economics degree.

 

  1. Holders of at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Real Estate or Land Economics from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from a university recognized by Senate.

 

  1. Holders of at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Building Economics, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Architecture or Engineering from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from a university recognized by Senate.

 

  1. Holders of Lower Second Class Honours Degree from the University of Nairobi, or its equivalent from a university recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate in areas specified in (1&2) above plus two years of work, research or teaching experience in real estate or related field.

 

  1. Holders of Lower Second Class Honours or a Pass Degree in areas specified in (1 & 2) above with a Post-graduate Diploma from the University of Nairobi, in the relevant area, or its equivalent from a university recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
  2. Holders of a Pass Degree in areas specified in (1&2) above plus five years’ experience in the relevant area.

3.2 Regulations for Credit Transfers

 

  1. An applicant shall be allowed to transfer or be exempted in no more than one third of the total of taught courses. Common regulations of the University of Nairobi for transfer or exemptions shall apply.

 

  1. The point of entry into the programme for candidates shall be approved by Senate on recommendation of the Board of the School of the Built Environment and shall be based on the qualifications of the candidate.

 

 

  1. An applicant seeking exemption shall apply through the Dean of the School of the Built Environment to the Director of the Graduate School, indicating the course units and supported by relevant documents.

 

  1. Application for exemptions shall be considered only after an applicant has paid an exemption fee.

Graduates of our programmes work in both public and private sectors.  They work as Valuers, Investment Advisors and Property Managers among others. Please also refer to the university career services page for more information and prospects.

MA Valuation-Year 1(TOTAL of 12 units)      
   Semester 1   Semester 2   Yearly TOTAL 
TUITION           216,000             216,000                 432,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)               6,500                       6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)               7,000                       7,000
CAUTION - (ONCE)               5,000                       5,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)               5,000                       5,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)               2,250                 2,250                     4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)               6,000                 6,000                   12,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)               1,000                       1,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)               2,000                       2,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)               1,000                       1,000
TOTAL           251,750             224,250                 476,000
       
MA Valuation-Year 2 (TOTAL of 10 units)      
   Semester 1   Semester 2   Yearly TOTAL 
TUITION           216,000             216,000                 432,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)               6,500                      -                       6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)               7,000                      -                       7,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)               5,000                      -                       5,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)               2,250                 2,250                     4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)               5,000                 5,000                   10,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)               1,000                      -                       1,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)               2,000                      -                       2,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)               1,000                      -                       1,000
THESIS EXAMINATION                     -                 30,000                   30,000
TOTAL           245,750             253,250                 499,000
       
Grand TOTAL                     975,000

 

Exam Regulations

i)    Examination for each course shall be held in the semester in which the course is

taught.

ii)     A candidate shall be required to pass in all the course units.

iii)    Each course unit shall be examined by continuous assessment and by a 1 x 3 hour written examination.

iv)    The pass mark shall be 50% in each paper.

v)    Continuous assessment shall constitute 40% of the total marks while the written examination shall comprise 60%. Continuous assessment marks shall be attained from grades achieved within the semesters' project and library research papers and other tests as may be given in each course.

(vi)    A candidate who fails in 2 or more course units may on recommendation of the Faculty Board and approval by Senate be allowed to retake the failed course units during the next ordinary university examinations. Such a candidate shall NOT BE ALLOWED to proceed to the next year of study unless he or she passes all the papers.

vi)     The following candidates shall be discontinued:

-Those who fail in five or more papers.

-Those who fail in the same papers in the resit examination under (vi) and

 (vii) above.