Official Study Guide for Germany
Construction industry, property industry
This field of study is primarily concerned with the business side of construction projects and the marketing of buildings - both residential and commercial.
Overview of the academic discipline
In the field of construction and real estate management, independent degree programmes have become increasingly established, which were previously only offered as a focus in business administration degree programmes. They combine technical and business aspects and deal with issues of property investment and financing, project development and management as well as building theory and technology.
In the construction industry, the business side of planning and constructing buildings takes centre stage. The property industry concentrates on the valuation, management and marketing of properties. This may involve commercial property, flats or houses. Commercial thinking, organisational skills and communication skills are good prerequisites for this.
Which topics are included in the curriculum?
- The Bachelor's degree programme in Construction Management provides students with a scientific and practical grounding in commercial and technical construction planning and construction contract management. The programme includes modules such as construction economics, construction design and mechanics, structural analysis, soil mechanics and earthworks, geoinformation, accounting, procurement and contracting, transport systems and building materials logistics.
- The Bachelor's degree programme in Real Estate Management provides basic knowledge in business administration, law and construction and building technology in modules such as construction technology, building theory, real estate management and marketing, real estate taxation and financing, real estate law, project development, accounting and controlling as well as software for real estate.
What are the requirements?
A good basis for successful studies in this area is knowledge of the following school subjects: Economics/law and maths. Since English as a business language can be a compulsory module in the degree programme, a good knowledge of English is an important prerequisite.
What study programmes are there to choose from?
The Bachelor's degree programmes ‘Real Estate Management’, ‘Construction Management’, ‘Construction Business Administration’, ‘Real Estate’ or ‘Real Estate and Facility Management’ are mainly offered by universities of applied sciences - including dual programmes. Some universities offer the option of continuing the programme with a Master's degree.
Depending on the university, it may also be possible to study business administration or industrial engineering with a corresponding specialisation.
What job opportunities are there after graduation?
Graduates work in construction, real estate and building management companies, property management companies and estate agents, property developers, housing construction and real estate companies, in construction engineering offices or in public administration, e.g. in real estate offices.