Trends In Corporate Real Estate: Is Education Meeting The Professional Need?

Purpose ñ The aim of this paper is to evaluate an innovative and contemporary approach to teaching, learning and assessment in an undergraduate final year and postgraduate module that have been designed to meet the requirements of Corporate Real Estate Management. Design/methodology/approach ñ The authors will establish that Corporate Real Estate Management has finally come of age, and has developed into a new professional area which has its own clear identify. The major trends that have formed the development of Corporate Real Estate Management are identified. Innovative learning, teaching and assessment strategies deployed in final year and postgraduate modules developed at Sheffield Hallam University to meet these changing professional demands, are evaluated using the focus group methodology. Findings ñ The study establishes the significant drivers which have transformed practice in this area including the move from one-of-fee based transactions to relationship based consulting. It identifies the learning, teaching and assessment strategies needed to respond to such changes and provide students with a valid and contemporary education. In particular it confirms elements of student autonomy and employability that can be embedded in courses and the skills that students value in terms of raising not only their understanding of corporate real estate but their confidence in managing client based multi dimensional business and real estate problems. Originality/value ñ The trends in the market place have established a requirement for a new type of professional. This professional should understand the business context to which they can offer Corporate Real Estate Management solutions. This approach requires a different skill mix and knowledge base than previously required. This paper establishes how Sheffield Hallam University have responded in an innovative way to meet these changing professional requirements.