MSc / PG Dip Housing Studies (with internship)

The UK housing sector needs talented, qualified professionals to tackle key issues, such housing shortages, increasing homelessness, and legislative developments like the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. 

From housing officers to support workers, tenancy advisors to policy planners, a career in housing offers real opportunities to make a difference and support communities. Our MSc/PgDip Housing Studies (with internship) is aimed at those looking to start a career in housing.

Gain work experience through an internship

On the MSc Housing Studies, you’ll undertake a work experience internship. It’s a 50-day structured, assessed internship, spanning over the academic year. It gives you the opportunity to learn your chosen specialism and sets you up for a ‘fast track’ into a career with housing organisations in the social, voluntary and private sectors. This internship is not eligible for sponsorship to study in the UK.

Students undertake their internships with a range of UK-based housing sector organisations including:

• local authorities,
• housing associations,
• voluntary sector,
• advocacy agencies.

Recent internships have been at Forth Housing Association, Stirling Council and Spires homelessness charity.

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.

You’ll be eligible for student membership of the CIH throughout your time on the course. 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 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

Learn from housing experts

Our research-led teaching on this housing course 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 also work with various organisations across the country in their research activities. You’ll be introduced to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing over the span of this Housing Studies Masters.

We have strong partnerships with various organisations including Wheatley Homes, Kingdom Housing Association and Fife Council.

Develop in-demand employability skills

A key part of the MSc/PgDip Housing Studies is to help you develop transferable skills that employers need, 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.

This MSc/PgDip Housing Studies (with internship) course will introduce you to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing and offered the opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of housing practice, including:

• Providing housing services - the majority of the course is delivered online, with occasional teaching on campus, to suit your professional and personal commitments.
• 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 24 months part-time and you’ll study six academic modules.

Professional Practice

The course also includes a module on reflective practice, preparation for professional practice and attachment to a social landlord to facilitate workplace learning. These precede an internship of 50 days carried out over the academic year, arranged to suit both the employer and student where possible, linked to practical requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

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.