My RAU experience

I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to study and had visited quite a few other universities. When I came to the RAU, a lecturer explained that if I enjoyed business and liked talking to people, real estate could be a great fit. The course, the campus, and the close‑knit feel of the community really stood out to me. The chance to do a placement year was also a big bonus, as it meant I could get real experience alongside my studies.

Completing my dissertation was a real highlight (although hard work!), as it allowed me to bring together everything I had learnt throughout my degree and placement year and apply it to a topic I am really passionate about. The course trip to Highclere was also a great experience and gave me the opportunity to see behind the scenes of an amazing estate.

The thing I enjoyed most about studying at the RAU was the people! The lecturers and support staff are incredibly friendly and approachable, and the small campus means you are always bumping into someone you know. My placement year was also incredibly worthwhile and put everything I had learned into practice. Throughout my time at RAU the social aspect of university included so many great events with May Ball definitely being a massive highlight! Also netball socials and RAG week!

 

What I gained from the RAU 

One of my biggest challenges was balancing my dissertation alongside my final-year module assignments. The RAU support team talked me through each stage and helped me break everything down into manageable steps. Having someone to discuss my workload with made me feel much more prepared and confident about tackling everything and helped me achieve my deadlines. A special mention must go to Guy Brasher and the careers team for their support!

The Commercial Property module was particularly useful in preparing me for my graduate role in In Town Retail, as well as for my dissertation. Modules such as Valuation and Law have also given me a strong foundation of knowledge that I can carry throughout my career and have helped with my preparation for the APC. Combined with my placement year, the course has given me technical knowledge and practical experience.

I completed my placement with Savills in the Leeds In Town Retail team, where I was involved in viewings, speaking with clients and prospective tenants, drafting marketing details, zoning properties and market research. My favourite part was being part of the team, meeting people and working with clients. I learnt that communication is absolutely key and how networking is so important within the industry. I would 100% recommend doing a placement year! I am now an In Town Retail Graduate Surveyor at Savills.

To any student thinking of studying at the RAU, I would definitely recommend the BSc Real Estate course. It covers all aspects of real estate, allowing you to explore sectors you may not have considered before. It is a diverse subject that is constantly evolving, so there are always new things to learn and different career paths to explore. I would also strongly recommend taking the placement year to gain valuable industry experience alongside your studies.