MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (part-time)
Already working in the housing sector? Our accredited Housing Studies Masters course covers all aspects of housing services and will help you develop your career further.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2024
- Duration MSc part-time: 24 months
- Mode of study part time
- Delivery blended
Accreditations
Chartered Institute of Housing
Overview
Aimed at those already working in the housing sector, our Housing Studies course will help you develop your career further. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the course covers all aspects of housing services.
With a focus on achieving better housing for all, you’ll acquire the front-line knowledge and competencies needed to tackle issues in housing and homelessness in Scotland and throughout the UK. You’ll be introduced to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing.
This route blends occasional teaching sessions on campus with a significant element of online study giving you the ideal learning experience in a format which is accessible and engaging. Everything is online and available at all times, and we have students from Scotland to Jamaica, who learn in their own time and at their own pace.
You’ll be taught by a team of academics who comprehensively cover the multi-disciplinary nature of housing, research, policy and practice. Our research-led teaching draws on our specialist expertise in policy analysis, homelessness and housing rights, social theory, housing and land market analysis.
The course fully integrates all of the academic and practice components of the professional qualification of the Chartered Institute of Housing. We’ll help you to develop the skill set required to further your career with housing organisations in the social, private and voluntary sectors in a highly competitive age. Our graduates usually find relevant work very quickly after completing their studies.
Already have your postgraduate diploma?
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Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
The Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for housing and validates the Stirling Housing Studies course. On successful completion of the Diploma, you will have satisfied the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
Flexible learning
Our course is designed with busy professionals in mind. Our blended delivery means most sessions are delivered online giving you flexibility to choose where and when you study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
All core teaching staff on the Housing Studies course are active in housing research. Underpinning the expertise of our staff, the University of Stirling scored highly in the most recent Research Excellence Framework 2021 – a UK-wide assessment of universities’ research output. In the Social Work and Social Policy unit of assessment, we ranked 3rd in Scotland and top 25 in the UK – with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our research deemed world leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
This course is aimed at those already working in Housing. If you are interested in this programme but do not work in Housing please look at our other course Housing Studies (with internship).
As attendance on campus is required sporadically across the year, this
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the syllabus covers all aspects of housing services, including:
- Providing housing services - housing intervention across tenure, accessing housing, rent arrears, welfare reform, homelessness, ethics and resilience.
- Sustainable communities - sustainable homes, development, fuel poverty, housing and inequality, place-making, community-led regeneration.
- Organisational behaviour – leadership, management, team work, organisational learning, cultural change, overcoming conflict.
- Finance and strategy – strategic planning, housing aspirations, needs and choices, housing finance, delivering affordable housing supply.
- Housing governance - housing policy analysis, legal framework for housing law, governance of housing.
- Healthy housing – homelessness, ageing, health and wellbeing, social care.
The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over two years and you’ll study six academic modules.
You can build up to the full Masters of 180 credits in stages, or exit at any stage and receive an award:
- Six modules plus a dissertation for 180 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Masters and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
- Six modules for 120 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded Postgraduate Diploma and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
- Three modules for 60 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
You’ll attend a virtual induction in September to start the course. Academic learning is then undertaken
Our blended model of delivery means you have flexibility about where and when you can study, and you do not need to travel to Stirling for online classes. Please ensure that your IT specification meets the requirements for the course. You can, however, access IT facilities on campus.
Assessment
Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, online tests, group work and a seminar presentation. Each module has one or two assessments rather than end of semester examinations.
Anyone who completes the Postgraduate Diploma requirements may register for a further period of study towards a Masters. This would require completion of either a research-based dissertation or the demonstration of advanced level reflective skills.
Classroom hours
Classes are held mainly on Tuesday in year one and Thursday in year two, with occasional Wednesday classes. Year three classes are on Wednesdays, and you will work closely with your supervisor to develop your own Masters level research project.
Studying part-time equates to approximately 18 hours on average which includes all structured learning, personal study and assessments.
Course director
Key staff
At Stirling, staff in Housing Studies aim to:
- provide effective professional housing education;
- promote development of skills in the workplace;
- promote and support equality and diversity in access to professional education;
- exploit technology to make our course of study available to students, regardless of location or learning needs;
- increase learning opportunities for students particularly from remote areas;
- enhance course content from tutors’ research and expertise.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
|
Total cost |
£8,700 |
£17,775 |
|
Year 1 (60 credits) |
£2,900 |
£5,925 |
|
Year 2 (60 credits) |
£2,900 |
£5,925 |
|
Year 3 (60 credits) |
£2,900 |
£5,925 |
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International (including EU) students | |
|---|---|---|
|
Total cost |
£9,100 |
£18,700 |
|
Year 1 (60 credits) |
£3,030 |
£6,360 |
|
Year 2 (60 credits) |
£3,030 |
£6,360 |
|
Year 3 (60 credits) |
£3,030 |
£6,360 |
Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
You can choose to study this course over a shorter period and the tuition fee will be adjusted accordingly. The fee for each year will be calculated based on the number of credits you enrol on each year.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our UK/Republic of Ireland Alumni Scholarship or International Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Tuition fees and other associated expenses are normally met by sponsoring employers. Students and employers may wish to take into account other costs in budgeting for the course such as book purchase and travelling expenses and costs of accommodation for visits to campus.
Students who pay their own fees may be entitled to claim tax relief on fees or receive support with fee payment from an Individual Training Account.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Stirling graduates have a strong track record of making rapid career progress on completion of the Masters or Diploma. Potential career opportunities include management in housing organisations, specialist research, policy and strategy work. Increasingly, there are opportunities linked to key government initiatives and policy areas.
Studying Housing Studies online at the University of Stirling enables you to:
- carry out your current job with greater confidence and effectiveness;
- have a comprehensive knowledge of how your job links to the rest of your organisation and the work of other agencies in Scotland;
- be well prepared to take advantage of opportunities for promotion or new directions in your work;
- gain a professional qualification in a crucial policy area;
- build a network.
Employability skills
A key part of the MSc Housing Studies is to help you develop transferable skills that employers are looking for, such as:
- academic skills in analysis and writing;
- technical skills in the appraisal and evaluation of housing development, design and construction in the built environment;
- professional skills in housing;
- communication skills in report writing and group presentations;
- self-management skills in organising work and meeting deadlines;
- interpersonal skills in group discussion and listening;
- digital online skills for meetings and group engagement.
Companies we work with
A very substantial number of housing organisations support student internships and sponsor their staff to undertake the Housing Studies course at Stirling.
Teaching staff also work with organisations across the country in their research activities. Through student membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing, you’ll have access to information and news about housing organisations across Scotland as well as being able to attend major conferences in the sector.
What our students said
Scotland
Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies
Read Laura's storyStudying part-time meant I could remain in my current role, while also pursuing a qualification which would help me develop my career, and hopefully move in to a management role. With the academic knowledge I’ve gained, I want to make real changes to the housing sector.
Scotland
Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies with Distinction
Read Doug's storyI wanted to complement and enhance my understanding of housing to the betterment of myself and my organisation. The Postgraduate Diploma offers those of us working in this profession the opportunity to advance our skills and knowledge.
Scotland
Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies
Read Ashley's storyMy six years at Stirling has shaped me into the young professional I am today and has also advanced my personal development. Balancing work, study, and life was challenging at times but the support and encouragement from staff was instrumental in helping me achieve my ambitions.