MPHIL in LAND ECONOMY

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1 University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this programme specification. At the time of publication, the programme specification has been approved by the relevant teaching Faculty or Department. It is, however, natural for courses to develop and change over time and we reserve the right, without notice, to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time. MPHIL in LAND ECONOMY 1 Awarding body University of Cambridge 2 Teaching Institution University of Cambridge 3 Accreditation details n/a 4 Name of Final award Master of Philosophy 5 Programme Title Land Economy 6 UCAS Code None 7 Benchmark Statement None 8 Qualifications Framework Level M 9 Date of production/revision October Date of Revision: May Subject: Postgraduate courses in Land Economy taught over 10 months, with four variants: Environmental Policy; Planning Growth and Regeneration; Real Estate Finance; and Option B (General). Typical entry level: First Class degree or High 2:1 or equivalent from a reputable academic institution. Admission is based on high achievement in an undergraduate degree, letters of recommendation and occasionally interview. On average there are over 60 students each year, all of whom are full-time. The core teaching staff consists of 20 full-time academic staff, including two Professors (the Professor of Land Economy, currently vacant, and the Grosvenor Professorship). In addition College Teaching Officers and visiting specialists take supervisions and assist with the programme of lectures. The Department of Land Economy is situated in several adjoining Victorian buildings on Silver Street in central Cambridge. Some lecture rooms are in the recently refurbished Laundress Lane Seminar rooms, and some teaching takes place in the Mill Lane Lecture rooms in three dedicated, fully-equipped (Powerpoint included) lecture halls. The Department s Library is part of the Mill Lane Library that also accommodates books for International Studies, Development Studies and the Centre for Latin American Studies. There are approximately 35-40,000 books and pamphlets in the Library, six Public Workstation Facility (PWF) computer terminals. Students have access to all the University and College Library catalogues through terminals across the University. In particular the Marshall Library, Squire Law Library and the Department of Applied Economics Library on the Sidgwick Site, provide important collections. QAA Benchmarking Groups: Economics, Town and Country Planning, Law, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies Aims of the programme Page 1 of 6

2 There are four taught MPhil degrees offered by the Department. These are: MPhil in Environmental Policy MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration MPhil in Real Estate Finance MPhil in Land Economy (Option B) All four variants of the MPhil share common aims. These are to: i) enable students of a high calibre to pursue their education at an advanced level in the primary disciplines of economics, environmental management and resource allocation, with additional specialisms in finance and law; ii) provide students with opportunities to build on and develop material which they may have studied at undergraduate level; iii) equip students with the necessary skills to pursue careers at a high level in a range of areas, including the law, business and finance, civil service, public service, property professions, environmental agencies, further study and national/international agencies; iv) provide opportunities for education in a multidisciplinary environment so as to advance the understanding of cognate disciplines; v) provide opportunities for learning with colleagues from different social, economic and legal systems; vi) provide students with appropriate skills and experience to enable them to use resources critically and to equip them with the means to undertake their own research; vii) provide an educational environment with a strong research ethos that brings together students from a wide variety of backgrounds and thereby to foster an international approach to common problems. Skills On completion of the course, the students will have acquired the following skills. i) Knowledge and understanding of the subject matter of the various components of the course. ii) iii) iv) Intellectual skills: the ability to study steadily, assimilate issues and large amounts of literature swiftly, evaluate countervailing positions and to produce succinct arguments to tight deadlines and to engage with those with whom they disagree. Particular methodologies used include: data evaluation, case evaluation, legal analysis, textual analysis, the convergence of theory and empirical data and advanced critical evaluation. Practical Skills: use of the library, using a bibliography, taking notes effectively, advanced IT skills. Transferable skills: the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to work to deadlines and under pressure; to manage time; to set priorities; to formulate an argument; to work independently and with initiative; basic IT skills ( , computer and internet use); critical analysis; to present papers in a seminar context; skills of analysis and interpretation; selfdiscipline, self-direction; and respect for other views. The ability to develop and present a major piece of written work. Page 2 of 6

3 v) Research skills: the ability to locate, utilise and organise a wide range of materials independently, on paper and electronically. The ability to assess and evaluate such material, to develop and pursue a critique of existing material. The ability to develop, structure and sustain a line of argument. The establishment of relationships with researchers in related areas. The ethical use of research material. vi) vii) Communication skills: the ability to marshal arguments and present them succinctly and lucidly. The ability to effectively criticise the views of others powerfully but fairly. The presentation of written material in a persuasive and coherent manner. Interpersonal skills: the ability to work with others in seminars and smaller groups towards common goals. The ability to share research data ethically. The ability to respect the views of others and to acknowledge deficiencies in one s own argument. Programme structure Each MPhil is taught in a series of discrete modules over two terms, with the completion of a 12,000 word dissertation. In addition, there is a strong research training element running throughout the course. There is a full induction programme at the start of the year. All students on all MPhils are required to take 4 modules in the first term and 4 modules in the second term. There is a wide choice of modules, with many modules available across the MPhils, but all students are required to take a dedicated module in Research Methods, a further module that develops Research Methods skills and are required to attend an additional (non-examinable) course in Research Management. The dissertation is supervised on an individual basis by a member of staff and is supported by the Research Methods modules and the course in Research Management. Examinations of the first term s modules takes place in January by a variety of methods. These may include written examination, preparation of course work, project work or extended essay. The second term modules are examined by means of a written examination. An oral examination, designed to allow students to demonstrate their achievements, is mandatory in the case of students who fail to reach the overall pass mark after the formal assessment of the modules. Environmental Policy MPhil An intensive ten-month programme combining the perspectives of environmental economics and environmental law on the design, implementation and assessment of environmental policy Page 3 of 6

4 Michaelmas Term Lent Term Easter Term Institutional Aspects of Environmental Policy Environmental Economics Fundamentals of Environmental Law and Regulation Research Methods or Advanced Research Methods Advanced Environmental Economics Advanced Environmental Law Environmental Regulation in Law and Economics Optional Module Research Dissertation Real Estate Finance The programme in real estate finance has been designed to provide a rigorous training to course participants in the latest concepts from key areas as applied to international real estate markets. Michaelmas Term Lent Term Easter Term Real Estate Finance and Valuation Real Estate Finance and Securitisation Real Estate Development Real Estate Investment and Risk Analysis Research Dissertation Research Methods or Advanced Research Methods An optional module Urban Economics Mortgages Securities and the Law of Real Property Students may choose from a selection of other modules on offer in the Department. These options include modules on environmental economics, introductory legal principles and urban planning. Planning Growth and Regeneration This variant focuses on planning and development issues in modern society. It draws on policy, economics, law and planning. An experimental studio programme run jointly with the Department of Architecture at Cambridge, and with the Departments of Urban Studies and Planning, and of Architecture, at MIT was offered in but funding for this was available for two years only. Page 4 of 6

5 Michaelmas Lent Easter Issues in Public Policy and Regeneration 1 Urban and Environmental Planning Research Methods or Advanced Research Methods One optional module Issues in Public Policy and Regeneration 2 Urban economics Housing and Regeneration One optional Module Research dissertation Option B (General) This MPhil offers students the opportunity to choose across the range of modules offered by the Department in order to tailor-make their own MPhil. Most modules are available as part of the other three variants, but there are a small number of dedicated Option B modules. A compulsory dissertation is also required. This variant of the MPhil is very popular and offers a range of skills valued by candidates and employers alike. Option B candidates are required to take: Research Methods or Advanced Research Methods At least one of the following, being modules offering a further element of research training. Institutions and development I Issues in public policy and regeneration I Environmental Policy and Environmental Valuation Legal issues in land use and finance Further optional modules from the list below so as to study 8 modules in total. European rural economic and environmental policy Rural environment Institutions and development II National planning and economic policy I National planning and economic policy II Urban and environmental planning I Urban and environmental planning II Issues in public policy and regeneration II Housing and regeneration Urban economics Environmental economics Advanced environmental economics Fundamentals of environmental law and regulation Advanced environmental law Page 5 of 6

6 Real estate development Real estate investment and risk analysis Dissertation Career Destinations The students follow a wide range of careers at a high level. These include entry into the legal profession, government service, local or public service, the voluntary sector, international and regional organisations and education. Quality Management The Degree Committee, under the aegis of the Board of Land Economy, is responsible for the Management of the MPhil Programme. The quality of the course is maintained by: i) scrutiny of the reports of supervisors and of External Examiners and Internal Examiners by the Degree Committee, Examiners Committees and the Board of Land Economy and the Board of Graduate Studies. Suggestions by them for improvement are acted on where appropriate; ii) student feedback through comprehensive questionnaires; iii) student membership of, and participation in the work of, the Liaison/Teaching Committee and the Board of Land Economy; iv) the Director of Postgraduate Studies s surgeries for students and his or her formal supervision of the course; v) appraisal and evaluation of staff, and the provision of staff development programmes; vi) the exercise by the Board of Graduate Studies of its supervisory responsibilities over graduate students and Degree Committees; and vii) the General Board s programme for reviewing Faculties and Departments every six years. Indicators of Quality QAA score 22 RAE score 5 Page 6 of 6