University of the Built Environment
University in Reading, The United Kingdom
The University of the Built Environment, the trading name of the University College of Estate Management (UCEM), is a UK university based in Reading that teaches real estate, property and construction online. It was founded in London in 1919 as the College of Estate Management, has held taught degree awarding powers since 2013, took its current name on 9 June 2025 and merged with the London School of Architecture in 2025. According to the university, it has more than 4,000 students from over 100 countries at any one time.
Programmes are delivered entirely online, so international students do not need a UK visa; graduates are invited to a ceremony in Reading. Courses are accredited by professional bodies including RICS, CIOB, CABE and HKICM.
- Bachelor's degrees in surveying, construction, real estate and architectural technology, part-time or full-time, with two intakes a year
- CertHE programmes and single-module study
- MSc conversion programmes for graduates of other disciplines
- A specialist MBA for the construction and real estate sectors
- Architecture at the London School of Architecture, taught in studios in London
All programmes are taught and assessed in English. Fees are the same for UK and international students, and the university has been active in Hong Kong for 40 years.
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Programmes
Online undergraduate programmes, most with two intakes a year:
- BSc (Hons) Architectural Design Technology (aligned to CIAT standards)
- BSc (Hons) Building Control (CABE, CIOB, RICS)
- BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (CABE, CIOB, HKICM, RICS)
- BSc (Hons) Construction Management and BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (CABE, CIOB, HKICM, CICES, RICS)
- BSc (Hons) Real Estate Management (RICS)
- CertHE Building Services Engineering and CertHE Built Environment Studies (1.5 years, part-time; the latter leads on to a BSc)
Most bachelor's degrees can be studied part-time or full-time and are also available as apprenticeships.
Graduate programmes
Postgraduate programmes are studied part-time online. The MSc conversion programmes are designed for graduates of other disciplines who want to qualify in property and construction professions.
- MSc Building Surveying, MSc Construction Management and MSc Quantity Surveying
- MSc Real Estate and MSc Urban Planning (RICS-accredited)
- MSc Renewable Energy and AI (new for 2026)
- Specialist MBA (two years; CABE, CIOB, RICS and CMI accredited)
- LLM Construction Law (from September 2027)
- Architecture at the London School of Architecture (RIBA and ARB accredited, studio-based in London)
Admission
Entry requirements are the same for UK and international students and are listed on each programme page. Applicants complete the online application form and upload copies of their certificates and/or transcripts; international qualifications are assessed for equivalence through Ecctis. As study is fully online, no UK student visa is needed. Fees are charged per semester and paid in full at registration.
Language requirements
All programmes are taught and assessed in English, and applicants must demonstrate adequate English proficiency before admission. The required level is given on each programme page or by the admissions team.
Scholarships and financial aid
International students can apply for the university's bursaries:
- New Student Bursary Scheme (undergraduate): a fee discount for the whole course for new students who can show financial need
- Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme: up to 50% of the programme fee for a limited number of students with high academic ability and financial need