Real estate is an integral part of our daily lives, affecting us in various ways, from our homes to our workplaces. As a unique asset class, it has the power to impact human relationships and society. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned professional, real estate education can start at any time.
In this article, we will be exploring the avenues available to learn about the industry in Singapore. If you are looking for a list of full-time and part-time opportunities, you are at the right place. Let’s go!
Why Study About Real Estate
A common misconception is that a career in real estate is limited to being a real estate agent. While this is one potential path, there are many other routes to consider. Real estate investment, asset management, urban planning, and valuation are just a few of the diverse roles within the industry.
Real estate should not be seen as a quick way to get rich but as a sector that supports the entire life cycle of the built environment. Like many other fields, studying real estate offers numerous opportunities and can lead to a rewarding career. Even if you are already in the industry, there is always room for further upskilling.
2024 marks the fifth year of my real estate education journey, which began with studying Real Estate Business at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and continued as a Real Estate Undergraduate at NUS. I vividly remember the moment I became intrigued by real estate during my pre-polytechnic days: a simple walk in my neighbourhood, I wondered why buildings of various heights coexisted in the same area. This curiosity led me to explore concepts like Gross Floor Area (GFA) and delve deeper into the industry.
Types of Learnings Available
1. Professional/Specialist Certificate
There are generally two types of certifications that participants can attain: professional and specialist. While both provide opportunities to upskill, specialist certifications offer more in-depth knowledge and specialised training in a chosen field. For instance, there is a specialist certification for building condition assessments.
For individuals who are not currently in the real estate profession, there are many certifications you can take to gain a better understanding of the industry. For example:
The Real Estate and Construction Academy (RECA) was incorporated in February 2010 to nurture and empower graduates to support the delivery of sustainable environments. As a private education provider, the academy offers skills upgrading & lifelong learning courses, including a certificate in Real Estate Management & Maintenance. Additionally prospective students may explore other certifications such as the Specialist Certificate In Building Condition Assessment, where there is training in standardised inspection protocols, data structures, and nomenclature.
For individuals who are already in the industry and wish to gain further knowledge in real estate investment, you may consider:
The Professional Certificate in Real Estate Investing equips participants with a deep knowledge and understanding of the real estate market and the capital markets. Participants are recommended to have basic knowledge in real estate investment and investment finance, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel, to fully benefit from this course. To attain the Professional Certificate in Real Estate Investing, students must complete courses such as:
Aside from the above courses, did you know that the Council of Estate Agents (CEA) mandates estate agents to take up Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses? It is a result of collaborative efforts between CEA and the real estate agency industry to ensure agents are equipped with the appropriate skills in the ever changing landscape. While there are in-person courses, CEA recognises certain E-learning courses as well.
2. Licence
To become a licensed real estate agent, individuals must complete a RES course with CEA approved course providers which varies in costs and duration. From 3-day crash courses to month-long courses, the trainers will prepare students with materials to prepare for the notoriously difficult RES exam. Certain courses allow the use of SkillsFuture points to offset the cost, which makes this course ideal for those interested in the real estate salesperson route.
Qualifications needed for the course include being above 21 and having 4 GCE ‘O’ Level passes or equivalent. Check out this previous article to explore whether the realtor career is for you!
Besides becoming a realtor, obtaining a licence opens doors to corporate real estate roles where a valid estate agent licence is often required. This will typically be the case in firms providing brokerage services to their clients such as JLL and CBRE.
3. Diploma
Did you know that Ngee Ann Polytechnic offers the only polytechnic diploma that specialises in real estate? As an alumni, I believe that this diploma formed a solid foundation for my real estate knowledge. Some modules included in the curriculum cover real estate financing and property management.
In recent years, the curriculum has evolved to keep up with the ever growing demand of sustainability and smart technology. In earlier years, graduating students could qualify for an exemption of the RES exam mentioned above and become an estate agent once other requirements were met.
The qualifications needed for the course vary for prospective students depending on their prior experiences. Working adults interested in the course must be Singaporean citizens or permanent residents with at least two years of relevant experience.
Serving as a progression for holders of the RECA Certificate in Real Estate Management & Maintenance, the Diplomas in Real Estate Management and Facilities Management provide up-skilling and higher level multi-disciplinary skills training to take on extended job scope and responsibilities.
Applicants are expected to have ‘O’/’N’ Levels credits in English and Mathematics or the equivalent together with a RECA Certificate in Real Estate Management & Maintenance.
4. Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Since the launch of the Real Estate Track in 2018, Business Management Finance majors have been offered the opportunity to further specialise within their major. The Real Estate Track allows Finance majors to take six real estate classes in addition to their compulsory modules.
With a focus on real estate investment and finance, students can expect study trips and interactions with Mapletree who is partnering with SMU on this track.
Qualifications needed for the Business Management degree varies for prospective students depending on prior experiences.
Similar to Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Real Estate Business, NUS provides a further comprehensive business education with a specialisation in real-estate-related fields. Covering a detailed syllabus, students can expect to learn about valuation, estate management and more from the four-year programme.
As of 2024, NUS no longer offers a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate. Instead, it is offered as a major under the restructured Business Administration curriculum.
NUS also offers a two-year postgraduate degree in either Real Estate or Urban Planning. The main difference between both is the target audience for each course. The former serves to provide formal education for real estate professionals who have a non-real estate background. The latter is targeted at those with spatial design or related disciplines.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate or a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture may opt to enrol in a Master of Urban Planning and pursue both concurrently.
5. General Real Estate Education
There is a myriad of real estate content out there online, ranging from the editorial article you’re reading right now to interviews to podcasts and webinars.
PropertyLimBrothers started its podcast channel Nuggets on the Go (NOTG) in 2023 and have been dishing out weekly nuggets of wisdom on real estate, finance, business, entrepreneurship, and investing in Singapore. Speakers from various industries have also been coming on guest episodes to share their experiences and knowledge with our keen audience.
In 2023, PropertyLimBrothers also held 20+ online webinars and live debates designed to educate the public and help them make informed decisions throughout their property journey. These webinars are now available to stream on-demand on the brand new school of real estate, entrepreneurship and creative media, Assembly.
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, learning does not stop. Reading articles from editorials and catching podcasts or webinars serve as stepping stones to understanding the industry better.
PropertyLimBrothers is the leading voice in the market for all things Real Estate, backed by data and analyses from our in-house research team. We’re always eager to educate and keep our viewers updated on the latest property news, helping them make informed choices throughout their Real Estate journey.
Whether you are an experienced real estate investor or someone who is just getting started, be sure to sign up for our upcoming PLB webinars to get yourself equipped with the latest insights.
