Implementation of the education

Last edit: 04/05/2010
Approved: 04/05/2010

Structure of the education

The Academic year in Sweden consists of an autumn and a spring term. The structure of the academic year, semesters and other study periods are described at the attached link. 

The curriculum of the programme covers four terms of full time studies. The first two terms will introduce students to the principles, theories, methods, and applications of mostly the finance and management dimensions of the discipline. The first half of the second year will be devoted to research training and an introduction to leadership and the organizational perspectives of the real estate business.  

Most of the courses involve projects that range from financial modeling exercises to carrying out valuations of different types of property in and around Stockholm. These projects are carried out in small groups. Apart from enhancing knowledge on the subject, group work also allows students to develop team skills, as well as cross-cultural communication abilities.

Furthermore, guest speakers from the business will provide practical perspectives on some of the issues that are discussed in the courses.

Courses

The programme is course-based. Lists of courses are included in Appendix 1: Course list

The programme is largely course-based, with some research training in the form of assignments in specific courses and a dissertation requirement. The list of courses is included in appendix 1. In semester 2 of the first year, participants are expected to select any two (2) out of the three (3) optional courses in period 3, and two (2) out of four (4) optional courses in period 4, depending on whether they specialize in real estate or financial services. For the latter group, the course in risk management is a requirement. 

Grading system

Courses in the first and the second cycle are graded on a scale from A to F. A-E are passing grades, A is the highest grade. The grades pass (P) and fail (F) are used for courses under certain circumstances.

Courses in the first and the second level are graded on a scale from A to F. A-E are passing grades, with A being the highest grade. The grades pass (P) and fail (F) may be used for courses under certain circumstances. Any changes in these rules, especially due to cooperation with universities with different grading systems, will be published beforehand, subject to approval by the ABE School and students will be informed accordingly.

Conditions for participation in the programme

To be enrolled in the programme, you must be duly accepted into the programme with a valid admission letter issued by KTH Central Admissions Office.

To be able to participate in the studies the student must enroll for the next term every spring and fall. This is done via “Mina Sidor” on KTH’s website between November 1st and 15th and between May 1st and 15th. 

With the enrollment, the student has submitted their intention of studying and participating in the programme.  In addition to signing in as course participant at the beginning of a course and attending lectures, participation in class exercises and projects is a compulsory part of enrolling in any course.

The only elective courses are in period 4 of year 1. These are capstone courses that allow students to build specialized profiles. At the moment, students are free to choose any two out of the existing three electives. Efforts will be made in the future to increase the number of electives, allowing students to build profiles that even better meet their career goals.  

The sequential nature of the courses implies that it is difficult to be successful in the capstone courses without passing earlier courses. The courses in term 1 are thus prerequisites for the remaining courses in the programme.

Recognition of previous academic studies

The Royal Institute of Technology has a policy for recognising previous academic studies. The decision on recognising documented results from similar education at other universities is taken by the vice dean of education at the School of Architecture and the Build Environment upon application by the student.

Studies abroad

There are at present extremely limited possibilities for non-EU Master’s students at the school of Architecture and the Built Environment to exchange semester three for studies abroad. For Swedish students in the programme, however, there will be opportunities for exchange under the ERASMUS framework. The decision to go abroad has to be approved by the ABE school exchange coordinator, in consultation with the Director of Studies at the Division of Building and Real Estate Economics.

Degree project

A dissertation/degree thesis (30 credits) is required for satisfactory completion of the requirements for the Master of Science Degree (MSc). The student’s program of study should support the dissertation research. The dissertation supervisor, the Chief Examiner of dissertations and the head teacher of the Theory of Science and Business Research Methods course sequence will help the student plan a program of study appropriate to the student’s specific research interest. The dissertation is a written report of an individual student’s investigation of a question of significance to the real estate and financial services body of knowledge. Dissertations address a substantive issue through theoretically based research relevant to the practice of real estate and financial services and may serve as a preliminary study in developing a program of research. The final written product is the traditional five-chapter manuscript. The prerequisite for starting the degree project include a 75 percent pass rate of year 1 courses as well as passes in the research preparation course sequence:

• Quantitative Methods in Real Estate and Financial Services
• Advanced Issues in Real Estate and Financial Services
• Theory of Science and Business Research Methods

 In particular, each student’s dissertation/thesis proposal has to be approved by the head teacher of the Theory of Science and Research Methods course to be registered for the dissertation. Current research interests and supervisory capacity of the division will determine the issues covered in the dissertation project. Grading criteria of the degree project is shown in Appendix 4. Further details for dissertation can be found in the KTH-handbook 2, section 15.1-15.6.

Degree

Students who have fulfilled all course requirements in the Master's programme (120 ECTS) will be awarded a "Teknologie masterexamen", translated into English as "Degree of Master of Science (two years)". An application for the degree certificate should be submitted to the programme coordinator, together with a copy of a student union card, copy of receipts or a certificate from the student union office, and an attested photocopy of the previous university degree (B.Sc. or a B. Eng, or equivalent). The degree certifi­cate will be mailed to the student’s permanent address by registered mail. 

Students who have successfully completed the programme will be awarded a "Teknologie masterexamen", translated into English as "Degree of Master of Science (two years)". Please note that this degree do not correspond to the Swedish degree "Civilingenjör". Further details can be found in the KTH-handbook 2, section 19.1.