Real Estate Investment and Finance (IPF Entry Route)

In partnership with the Investment Property Forum (IPF), we offer a flexible route if you are wishing to obtain the IPF Certificate, IPF Diploma or the MSc Real Estate Investment and Finance. Delivered on a part-time basis, it comprises a series of professional development courses delivered by leading names in property investment and academia.

In a fast-moving global market, the IPF's industry-recognised education programme offers you a unique advantage. You will address the key areas of investment, finance and property. The programme will equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to ensure you stay one step ahead. Join your peers at these intensive, interactive sessions and immerse yourself in a fresh, topical leading-edge learning experience.

The Certificate consists of an introductory online course - Introduction to Property Investment. This is followed by two 4-5-day face-to-face courses; Corporate Finance and Real Estate Portfolio Management. These are delivered at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus, in the Henley Business School.

The IPF Certificate is listed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as a Key 2 Appropriate Examination under the Managing Investments activity. Holders of the IPF Certificate will need to complete a Key 3 qualification. Namely a UK regulatory examination, to meet the full examination requirements for this activity. For more information on the appropriate examinations, please see the FCA Handbook.

If you obtain the Certificate, you are eligible to undertake three additional modules (taught at Reading) to gain the IPF Diploma. The IPF Diploma can be achieved as a stand-alone qualification as outlined below.

Any of the modules can be attended on a CPD basis, subject to eligibility.

If you hold the IPF Certificate (achieved prior to September 2016), you are eligible to continue to the IPF Diploma. You will need to attend the Real Estate Investment Appraisal, Real Estate Securities and Real Estate Funding Flexible MSc modules.

These specialist modules lead to an externally accredited Diploma in Property Investment from the Investment Property Forum (IPF). This is recognised as the IPF Diploma. You will need to complete the 5 modules for this qualification. This includes Real Estate Investment Appraisal, Real Estate Securities, Real Estate Portfolio Management, Corporate Finance and Real Estate Funding. Each 4-5-day, face-to-face IPF Diploma module is delivered at the University of Reading, Whiteknights campus. It is also supported by Real Estate & Planning's Virtual Learning Environment.

If you have successfully achieved the IPF Diploma, this will provide 100 credits towards the MSc degree. Therefore, you will be eligible to continue to our MSc Real Estate Investment & Finance programme (IPF entry route). In order to attain the MSc, you will need to take a further 80 credits delivered in Reading. Please see timetable above.

If you already hold the IPF Diploma (achieved prior to September 2016) you are eligible to continue to the Flexible Masters programme.