MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (part-time)

The UK housing sector needs qualified housing professionals to address a range of challenges. They include a significant housing shortage, rising homelessness, and changes in legislation, such as the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023.

This online Masters in Housing Studies is for those already working in the housing sector. It can help you to further your career with a professional qualification. Being a fully-online course gives you more flexibility to combine your studies with your other commitments.

Study a Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) accredited course

The CIH is a professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting excellence in the housing sector. This Housing Studies course is accredited by the CIH. It incorporates all the academic and practice components of the Chartered Institute of Housing qualification for professionals.

Upon successful completion of the postgraduate diploma or the Masters, you’ll be eligible for chartered membership of the CIH. Chartered membership is suitable for those in a range of customer-facing and strategic leadership roles across the housing spectrum. It identifies you as a professional in housing issues.

During your time on this course, you’ll be eligible for student membership of the CIH. You’ll get access to information and news about housing organisations across Scotland and the UK, as well as being able to attend major conferences in the sector (CIH membership fees may apply).

Gain knowledge and skill in all aspects of housing

This Housing Studies postgraduate course covers all aspects of housing, including:

• Providing housing services
• Sustainable communities
• Governance and law
• Organisational behaviour and culture
• Health and wellbeing
• Strategy and finance

The coursework is grounded in real-world practice, to help you build core professional skills. Every aspect of the course is applied, current, and closely aligned with the needs of housing organisations today.

Be taught by housing experts

Our research-led teaching draws on our specialist expertise in housing such as: 

• policy analysis and co-production,
• housing inequalities,
• homelessness and housing rights,
• housing and place-based stigma,
• housing, health and wellbeing.

Our teaching staff work with various organisations across the country in their research activities. This means you’ll be introduced to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing over the span of this MSc/PgDip in Housing Studies. You’ll be equipped for today’s challenges while contributing to the future of housing.

Develop the skills that housing employers need

A key part of the MSc Housing Studies is to help you develop transferable skills that employers are looking for, including:

• academic skills in analysis and writing,
• reflective and person-centred practice in housing,
• communication skills in report writing and group presentations,
• self-management skills in organising work and meeting deadlines,
• interpersonal skills in group discussion and listening,
• digital online skills for meetings and group engagement,
• leadership and management.

We take a person-centred approach to career development. We help you to build confidence, deepen your expertise, and apply your learning directly to your role.

Already have your Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)?

You could extend your qualification to an MSc Housing Studies here at the University of Stirling, if you graduated with a PgDip within the last five years.

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the syllabus covers all aspects of housing services, including:

• Providing housing services - housing intervention across tenures, accessing housing, rent arrears, repairs, welfare reform, ethics and professionalism, communicating with customers, and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Sustainable communities - sustainable homes, development, fuel poverty, housing and inequality, place-making, community-led regeneration.
• Organisational behaviour – leadership, management, team work, organisational learning, cultural change, overcoming conflict.
• Finance and strategy – strategic planning, housing aspirations, needs and choices, housing finance, delivering affordable housing supply.
• Housing governance - housing policy analysis, legal framework for housing law, governance of housing.
• Healthy housing – homelessness, ageing, health and wellbeing, social care.

The Postgraduate Diploma is taught over two years and you’ll study six academic modules.

You can build up to the full Masters of 180 credits in stages, or exit at any stage and receive an award:

• Six modules plus a dissertation for 180 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Masters and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
• Six modules for 120 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded Postgraduate Diploma and will meet the requirements for corporate membership of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
• Three modules for 60 credits (SCQF Level 11) – you’ll be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate.