Master of Planning (MPlan)

MPlan Planning

Make a difference with an integrated Master of Planning, shaping vibrant, liveable, sustainable places for communities to live, work and play.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: K401 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Scholarships available
  • Field trips
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £29,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Additional expenses

This course has normally included an overseas field trip in year 4, which is an optional part of the course. Please note there is a student contribution towards the cost of the trip depending on the location.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

We are committed to attracting and supporting the very best students from all backgrounds to study this course.  

You could be eligible for cash bursaries of up to £2,500 to support your studies. 

Find out about our funding opportunities

Course unit details:
Real Estate Law in Practice

Course unit fact file
Unit code PLAN41002
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

This course unit will introduce students to the fundamental legal principles that underpin real estate practice and must be understood in order to operate effectively. It will then critically explore how these are manifested in, and the consequential impact on, the real estate market and practice.  Although English law will be used to examine issues in detail, students are encouraged to consider these concepts operating under different legal jurisdictions. The following topic areas will be covered:

- The nature of law and legal frameworks
- Law of contract: how contracts are created, operated and terminated in general
- Leases: how leases are created, operated and terminated, including service of notices
- Other types of contract encountered in real estate practice
- Duties and obligations arising from the law of tort
- Professional negligence, professional regulation and ethics
- Property law – land tenure, third party rights, boundary and neighbour issues
- Conflict avoidance and alternative dispute resolution
- Law of estate agency

Aims

  • introduce students to the legal environment in which decisions relating to real estate investment, management and development are made
  • provide detailed knowledge and skills on key areas of practice
  • provide opportunities for students to critically explore the application of legal principles and procedures
  • foster students’ ability to consider issues in a holistic manner
     

Teaching and learning methods

A range of teaching and learning methods will be adopted with conventional lectures used to introduce topics in a structured manner and to begin critical debate over issues.  Workshops and seminars are used to discuss problem scenarios and critique legal documents and practice. 

Subject to timetabling, students will attend a property auction in Manchester, in order to evaluate aspects of contract and estate agency practice.

As noted in the Programme Specification, all course material will be available online.

Formative feedback will be given through Q&A, discussion and interactive activities within lectures, workshops and tutorials.  Continuous (anonymous) feedback will be available through the discussion thread “Property Post” on Blackboard.  Verbal feedback is available on coursework discussed during consultation hours.  Individual online feedback will be provided in respect of the test with further group discussion.  Detailed written feedback will be given on the coursework assignment.

Knowledge and understanding

Explain the significance of the legal context and framework for real estate practice
Demonstrate applied knowledge of a range of key legal principles in real estate practice
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of a surveyor’s professional obligations and the role of professional regulation and ethics
 

Intellectual skills

Demonstrate the ability to define issues in dispute, identify the relevant legal rules, apply the rules whilst distinguishing between facts in different cases, and reach a reasoned conclusion
Differentiate between fact and opinion
 

Practical skills

Identify and use appropriate information retrieval systems

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Demonstrate their ability to read a range of complex works and summarise their arguments succinctly
Recognise their own limitations and work effectively within these
 

Assessment methods

Report on problem scenarios, (3000 words), 100%

Feedback methods

Formative feedback will be given through Q&A, discussion and interactive activities within lectures, workshops and tutorials.  Continuous (anonymous) feedback will be available through the discussion thread “Property Post” on Blackboard.  Verbal feedback is available on coursework discussed during consultation hours.  Individual online feedback will be provided in respect of the test with further group discussion.  Detailed written feedback will be given on the coursework assignment.

Recommended reading

Core Texts – students are expected to read one of these:
Galbraith, A. et al. (2011) Galbraith’s building and land management law for students. 6th ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Wood, D., Chynoweth, P., Adshead, J. and Mason, J. (2011) Law and the built environment. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Supplementary Reading
Cowan, D., Fox O’Mahony, L. and Cobb, N. (2012) Great debates in property law.  Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Moran, A. (2007) Commercial property law.  Exeter: Law Matters Publishing
Rodell, A. (Ed). (2015). Commercial property.  Guildford: College of Law Publishing
Smith, R. (2004) Case in point – estate agency. Coventry: RICS Business Services Ltd
Stroud, A. (2013) Making sense of land law. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Wilkie, M. et al (2006) Landlord and tenant law 5th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Seminars 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 120

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Selma Carson Unit coordinator

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