Rachael Lipscombe

With an undergraduate degree in biology, I very much arrived in a property career by accident. Eight years later, and whilst I knew I had found the right arena, I realised I wasn’t excited by any of the ongoing career paths open to me.

The MSc Real Estate course at RAU offered the opportunity to cement my existing experience into a respected industry-recognised qualification and fast-track my path towards RICS chartered status. The course is tailored to practical skills and professional practice and being structured for just two contact days per week during term time, meant I could continue to work professionally alongside the degree (albeit requiring some careful time management!). I was also eligible for a small grant from RAU which eased the financial pain of being a student again in my thirties!

The course is varied and engaging, as are the lecturers, who are equally knowledgeable and encouraging; giving the priceless benefit of teaching the profession from experience.

It’s been a rewarding and exciting year and it’s given me the opportunity to start the next phase of my career, as a Graduate Surveyor for Dalcour Maclaren.