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Work-Like Experience - The Valuation Project

As part of our BSc (Hons) Real Estate and BSc (Hons) Property Finance and Investment courses, 138 of our students took on a valuation project where they valued and appraised a property that is within the Regent Street property portfolio.

This project is part of NTU's commitment that all students will benefit from work-like experience opportunities embedded into their course, allowing them to engage directly with industry and develop essential professional skills, knowledge and attributes for future career success.

The Project

Entitled The Valuation Project, this work-like experience project partnered Nottingham Trent University (NTU) with The Crown Estate (TCE). Having Samuel Weightman, Lecturer in Real Estate, Property Development and planning in the School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment, as the main point of contact between NTU and TCE, our students got the chance to value a property that was within reach of TCE’s Regent Street property portfolio.

Students were provided with a property information pack that was compiled by TCE including a hypothetical lease compiled by their legal team, floor plans, photos and basic property information.

This piece of coursework gave me exposure to the key parts of a valuation report, including due diligence checks and how to do them, and gave a good example of the kind of work I will most likely be undertaking in my future. It also provided for a great talking point with future employers and gives me an example of the skills I can bring to future jobs.

Ryanna - Student

Project Development and Timeline

Led by Samuel, and compiled together with TCE’s contact, this project was introduced to the students at the beginning of the academic year.

The assignment was released together with the property information pack with the students required to work on the project throughout the academic year. Sessions were tailored in order to support students with completing elements of the valuation brief. The primary challenge to make sure the project ran smoothly was to ensure that everything was received from TCE.

In terms of the lead time required for the delivery of this project was 7 months, the same duration as the academic year.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the project were:

  • Explained, evaluated and applied the principles and techniques of investment performance measurement and analysis, including measurement and analysis of income, capital and total return and investment risk, at the individual asset and portfolio levels.
  • Produced and interpreted investment appraisals that reflect the use of debt as a source of finance and the potential risks and benefits of financial structures and drawing on related financial theory.
  • Undertook valuation and appraisal of real estate developments and investments and offer interpretation and advice in relation to investment and market value and the viability of investments; make an informed contribution to investment decision making.
  • Acted independently in planning, organising and directing your personal academic and professional development.
  • Collected and integrate information and data from a variety of sources, analyse, evaluate and interpret information and issues in a systematic and critical manner, and evaluate alternative processes/measures against relevant criteria; make logical recommendations based on analysis of the information and circumstances.
  • Identified and solved problems; devise appropriate solutions to suit circumstances.
  • Communicated information, ideas and concepts effectively in a clear, articulate fashion, utilising information technology and aids where appropriate.
  • Utilised personal and interpersonal skills and competencies, and worked constructively and co-operatively with others, applying ethical and professional values to situations encountered.

Being involved in this valuation project was an experience that provided valuable insights into the world of real estate. The project allowed me to witness firsthand the intricacies of assessing such a prestigious property. It was a unique opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the complexities involved in valuing assets across a sector.

Rhea - Student

Working with the Crown Estate

Samuel developed the project with his contact at TCE, who was a high profile within the organisation. This helped students get excited about working on the project and give them the opportunity to mention their involvement in interviews etc.

Talking about the key qualities and aspects that working with TCE benefitted in developing and delivering this project, Samuel believes that this activity provided real life experience of an actual project for an actual client. This is exactly what would be the case in industry and provides a nice final piece of coursework for the Valuation Journey of PFI and Real Estate students.

Further information

For more information about this project, please contact: Samuel Weightman, samuel.weightman@ntu.ac.uk

Find out more

Real Estate

Find out more about our BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management course.

Property Development and Planning

Find out about our BSc (Hons) Property Development and Planning course.

Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

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