The real estate industry stands as a pillar of economic growth, shaping the landscape of cities and driving investment opportunities across the globe. With the constant evolution and complexity of the real estate market, professionals in this field face the challenge of staying ahead of the curve and acquiring specialized knowledge and skills to navigate a dynamic industry.
Recognizing this demand, leading business schools have begun offering executive education courses tailored specifically to real estate, providing professionals with invaluable insights and strategies to thrive in this competitive arena.
A focused and comprehensive curriculum
The intricate nature of the real estate sector demands a deep understanding of market dynamics, finance, investment analysis, urban development and sustainable practices. While traditional business education programs often touch on these subjects, executive education courses in real estate offer a focused and comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical application.
These courses attract a diverse range of participants, including seasoned real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, developers and even professionals from other industries seeking to transition into real estate.
From intensive modules taught by renowned faculty to case studies that showcase real-world scenarios, participants gain actionable insights that they can immediately apply to their roles.
Real estate finance and investment
“Real estate markets are rapidly changing with financing and investment decisions growing in complexity. The banking sector is also facing a new wave of regulations that is changing the way real estate investors access funding. Mezzanine debt, REITs, and equity capital markets have become an increasing source of funds in real estate deals,” says Jaime Luque, the Director of the Certificate in Real Estate Finance and Investments at ESCP Business School in Europe.
“The world of real estate finance and investments is a constantly changing landscape. New trends, policies, and instruments emerge like waves in the ocean, threatening to sink those who cannot master them. To navigate these waters successfully, staying up to date with the latest developments and building expertise in specialized areas is crucial,” he adds.
This is where the Certificate in Real Estate Finance and Investments comes in. Participants will learn how to value revenue-generating properties, design mortgages for different investors, and model real estate “waterfall” spreadsheets for various capital structures and scenarios.
A sector driven by ESG standards
Luque is also the Director of the Executive Programme in Real Estate and ESG, a second course at ESCP. This program equips professionals with the skills and tools necessary to succeed in a competitive real estate sector driven by ESG standards.
“The real estate sector is an important part of the economy that represents a significant share of the GDP. This sector is now going through an unprecedented transformation phase, where ESG issues are shaping the way real estate companies are evolving into a new era,” says Luque. “The program puts a special focus on the new real estate technologies that play a crucial role in implementing the ESG transformation.”
ESCP is far from the only school that runs executive education courses in real estate. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the US runs the Assessing Commercial Real Estate Investments and Markets course. University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School offers its Real Estate Program, while SDA Bocconi School of Management in Italy offers several different short executive programs in real estate, each one specializing in a certain area of the industry, such as real estate finance, asset management, valuation and marketing.
Hands-on exercises
On most of the courses, site visits to real estate projects, simulations and hands-on exercises provide participants with practical exposure and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in real estate development, investment and management. These immersive experiences enhance their decision-making capabilities and equip them with the tools to address real-world challenges. They also help schools stay updated with the latest industry trends.
“The main quality and the added value resides in the fact that some experts and associates from the Cushman & Wakefield consultancy run the program and are constantly in touch with the latest needs,” says Sonia Lakehal, Head of Recruitment for Executive Education at ESSEC Business School in France, referring to the Real Estate Expertise course that it delivers.
“This is directly linked with the ESSEC pedagogy of learning by doing and implementing directly what you learn in your daily job.”
By nurturing a pool of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals, these programs contribute to raising the standards of the real estate sector. Participants bring back their newfound expertise to their organizations, driving innovation, implementing sustainable practices, and ultimately shaping the future of the industry.
“As this program is designed to upskill and keep the real estate professionals up to date, the format is specifically adapted and appreciated,” says Lakehal. “On average, our professionals already hold 10 to 15 years of experience.”
