MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (part-time)

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.

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.

All core teaching staff on the Housing Studies course are active in housing research. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF2014), 75 percent of the research in Applied Social Science at Stirling was assessed as ‘Internationally Excellent' with the top 24 percent of that judged as ‘World-leading'.

You’ll attend an induction over three days at the beginning of October to start the course. Academic learning is then undertaken through a combination of private study and interactive online sessions. There is a day on campus at the beginning of each academic module and a programme of visits (although all materials are online). The course requires full participation.

Most of the time you have flexibility about where 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 takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, 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.

Classes are held mainly on Tuesday in year one and Thursday in year two, with the rest of the week for private study. Studying part-time equates to approximately 18 hours on average which includes all structured learning, personal study and assessments.

Dr Kim McKee

+44 (0) 1786 466274
housingstudies@stir.ac.uk

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

This course is currently approved for Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan (PTFL) funding from SAAS. Full details of the PTFL fund and how to apply online can be found on the SAAS website.

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.

Construction Scotland Innovation Centre’s (CSIC) Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund

This scholarship may be awarded to a UK/EU student on any Masters course whose dissertation is focused on the built environment. It will cover the cost of your tuition fees up to a value of £6,530. The University will waive any remaining tuition fees. Find out more about the CSIC Built Environment Innovation MSc Fund.

Other sources of funding

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.

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.

European Union and overseas 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.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling

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

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

A very substantial number of housing organisations across Scotland 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.