Bachelor of Science Honours in Property Studies

The first purpose of the programme is to provide qualifiers with Postgraduate-level knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in commerce, law, property valuation and management that provide a foundation for further intellectual development and opportunities for gainful employment and rewarding contributions to society.

The second purpose of the programme is to enhance the body of knowledge about property valuation, development and management in South Africa through the pursuance of research-based enquiry and dissemination, via dynamic Postgraduate courses.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide the property valuation, development and management professions in South Africa with qualifying Learners who possess both contextually specific advanced skills as well as research skills and who meet the academic requirements for professional registration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7.

1. Identify and solve problems.
2. Work in groups/teams.
3. Organise him/herself and activities.
4. Frame research questions, identify, collect and collate data from primary and secondary sources and apply quantitative analysis methods.
5. Communicate orally and in written reports.
6. Identify and pursue a variety of effective learning strategies.
7. Explore education and career opportunities.
8. Identify and take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Argue the existence of a problem and to select and apply an appropriate means of solving it.
• Develop productive working relationships with other team members.
• Plan and schedule individual and group work and meet deadlines.
• Conduct research including: preparing a research proposal, defining the research problem, developing hypotheses, performing a literature search and writing a literature review, developing an appropriate empirical research design, developing and administering an appropriate research instrument; developing an argument, applying analytical methods, drawing conclusions and presenting research findings in the form of a treatise.
• Produce written research reports and present research findings orally.
• Select an appropriate learning method for assignment work.
• Apply knowledge of finance and appraisal to problems involving selecting between competing investments; apply statistical knowledge to the characterization and interpretation of data sets.
• Demonstrate a good working knowledge of analytical methods, as well as a high level of computer literacy.
• Demonstrate a understanding of the foundations of business finance and apply this knowledge in managing and financing working capital.
• Translate a property development and management problem into a well-planned solution that is devised to provide quantitative data that can be analysed to provide a solution.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relevance and importance of professional ethics, conduct and liability.
• Identify and use appropriate advanced valuation methods to value large shopping centres, air space and mining rights.
• Demonstrate an understanding of: the Facilities Management function; the process of building design and construction for new and renovation work; the management of properties in terms of the acquisition, lease management, tenant management; and the management of building' operations in terms of operating systems, maintenance and repairs, cleaning and security.
• Prepare budgets, cost plans, and implement cost control/ reporting procedures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and how specific pieces of legislation influence property valuation; apply procedural knowledge of provincial ordinances; and demonstrate an understanding of influential Supreme Court decision affecting valuations and the role of the Valuer.
• Prepare a plan for a low-income housing project with in a developmental paradigm; identify issues essential to more sensitive communication between low-income communities, NGOs, consultants and government bodies around housing issues; and develop and defend their opinions on sensitive issues in the development field.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles and, where appropriate, applied competence in the elected area of speciality.

Integrated Assessment

All major courses in the programme carry the requirements for students to submit a major project specifically designed to test applied competence in the Outcomes.