Certificate in Real Estate Administration (L6, 60 ECTS)

Semester 1 

Economics, Project and Business Planning 

Professional Practice and Communications 

Marketing, Sales, Theory and Practice 

Semester 2 

Customer Service, Business and Management 

Web Applications and Social Media Marketing 

The Regulatory Framework 

Module 1:  Economics, Project and Business Planning 

Module Aim 

The aim of this module is to give students an appreciation for the issues and techniques involved in business planning. The student will be able to identify, describe, critically analyse, and discuss the economic principles affecting the property market and understand the factors relevant to developing a business plan canvas. This will involve an introduction to strategy and levels of strategy in organisations, environmental and industrial analysis (PESTEL, Porters’ five forces and SWOT analysis. Project management methodologies will be highlighted through terminology and implementation including effective use of resources and budgetary control including an appreciation of financial and management accounting and interpretation. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Describe the role of economics (Micro and Macro) in understanding the Real Estate Industry 
2. Recognise the concepts and techniques of strategic management and their value to operating the Real Estate office. 
3. Discuss the principles of Business & Operations management and the issues facing management in today’s business environment. 
4. Interpret the elements of a Business Plan Canvas. 
5. Identify the types of risks associated with a project. 
6. Outline the delivery of a project within scope, quality, time and budget.

Module 2:  Professional Practice and Communications 

Module Aim 

This module prepare students with an understanding of professional conduct. The objective is to develop the students understanding of the sales process and the relationship between agent and client while developing the students understanding of the language of the property professional. Students will be facilitated in learning how to apply communication theory and practice to real situations while developing an awareness of the importance of effective communication with organisations. Students will be afforded the opportunity to illustrate the most effective methods of presenting a wide range of information to diverse audiences 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Demonstrate the nature of professional practice. 
2. Describe the procedures to be followed when surveying property for sale. 
3. Describe the various information systems maintained by estate agents, their use and function 
4. Recognise how to communicate effectively and deliver a business presentation to an audience. 
5. Develop effective grammar and vocabulary in oral and written communication 
6. Evaluate the influence of society and culture on customer behaviour

Module 3: Marketing, Sales, Theory and Practice 

Module Aim 

To provide students with an understanding of marketing and sales management theories and practice, and to equip them with the skills required to participate constructively in a marketing and sales campaign. The programme will provide students with the opportunity to develop competencies in motivating, directing, controlling and evaluating the marketing and sales initiatives in a professional context. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Identify sales theories and concepts used to achieve strategic marketing and organisational objectives. 
2. Select and organise an appropriate sales campaign for a given situation/product. 
3. Identify and evaluate methods of motivating, directing, controlling and evaluating the sales objective. 
4. Engage in self-directed work and participate constructively in a team environment. 
5. Discuss the value of digital marketing applications/social media in achieving sales targets. 
6. Assess the importance of the role of the Sales Manager.

Module 4: Customer Service, Business and Management 

Module Aim 

To introduce the learner to the concepts of customer service / customer care and to business types, organisation and operations in the context of the Real Estate industry. To develop in the learner an understanding of the principles and practices of management in a dynamic service environment and to initiate in the learner managerial thought and action. To introduce the learner to the concepts of customer service /customer care and front office systems and procedures. To introduce the learner to business types, organisation and operations in the context of the Real Estate industry. To develop in the learner an understanding of the principles and practices of management in a dynamic service environment. To initiate in the learner managerial thought and action. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Examine the concepts of customer care, the unique role played by the service provider in delivering quality customer service and the stages involved in the front office customer cycle. 
2. Apply the customer care, social, communication, technical, safety and security, sales and team knowledge and skills necessary to carry out front office tasks at each stage of the customer cycle. 
3. Describe the variety of business types and formats currently operating in the Real Estate sector and explain how business functions are structured and operate in organisations of different types and sizes. 
4. Examine the concepts and processes of management and assess the challenges facing management and the need for appropriate business information for decision making in a dynamic business environment. 
5. Demonstrate analytical, numeric, presentation and team working skills appropriate to the Real Estate industry. 
6. Discuss the importance of continual improvement in enhancing customer service initiatives.

Module 5: Web Applications and Social Media Marketing 

Module Aim 

This module will introduce students to web site maintenance and the use of Social Media tools within a marketing context. Students will design and implement e-commerce and m-commerce websites suitable for a variety of businesses using Content Management Systems. Students will be introduced to Search Engine Optimisation and Web Usability. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Develop an e-Business infrastructure consisting of the Internet, Web and Mobile Platform. 
2. Identify, describe and experience the unique features of e-commerce and m-commerce technology and discuss their business significance. 
3. Design and build a website using a Content Management System (CMS). 
4. Explain the importance of Search Engine Optimisation and Web Usability. 
5. Reflect on the design process and compare own website to that of peers and evaluate against examples of best industry practice. 
6. Discuss the importance of cybersecurity in e-commerce infrastructure.

Module 6: The Regulatory Framework 

Module Aim 

This module provides the student with a general understanding of legal systems and an appreciation of legal terminology. To provide students with a formal grounding in the regulatory framework that governs Real Estate practice. To develop the students’ understanding of the statutory position of the estate agent and the legal principles which govern real estate practice. To develop the student’s awareness of legal issues relevant to the Auctioneering / Estate Agency Profession. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Describe the sources of law and its effects on the profession. 
2. Outline the principles of contract law and tort as they apply to estate agency. 
3. Identify, understand and explain the legal structure of a company and the legal requirements relating to the operation of an enterprise. 
4. Describe the rights and duties of the estate agent/auctioneer and the relationship with the client. 
5. Evaluate the relevant areas in consumer law as they apply to real estate practice. 
6. Critique on the Regulatory Framework in Ireland and its impact on the commercial organisation.

This programme will be delivered online.

The objective of this programme is to give appropriate skills to individuals who are working in or those intending to work in Real Estate Offices the knowledge and competencies required to support the Property Professional and their clients in a professional and competent manner.

On successful completion of the Certificate in Real Estate Administration the graduate will obtain a NFQ Level 6 (60 ECTS) qualification.

The course has accreditation from IPAV- This course does not qualify applicants to apply for a real estate license. Further study will be required for candidates to work in other roles within the Real Estate Office.

Students can progress to the Higher Certificate in Business – Year 2 or other Higher Certificate programmes at TUS. This is a level 6 programme (60 ECTS).

Two evenings per week (online) Plus selected Saturdays  9am – 1pm (online).

Lectures will be delivered live online, and recordings of lectures will be available to view in the student’s own time.

€1,500