Contemporary Issues in Hospitality and Real Estate

• ECTS: 2

In this module, the knowledge acquired in the module ‘Module from module list’ is reflected in the context of hospitality and real estate.

Built Environment Transformation

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

The existing built environment and infrastructure far exceed the current number of new construction projects. The challenge lies in implementing a needs-based and multifaceted optimisation and/or repurposing this environment. In addition to conventional development considerations, sustainability, the real estate life cycle, and the public interest, among other factors, must be integrated into a holistic approach. Transforming the built environment is a complex task which puts more demand on real estate experts: the projects that are derived and developed from a strategy should advocate for economic, ecological, and social sustainability at the management level and should be feasible to implement and realise.

Real Estate Development

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module enables students to oversee the entire real estate development process. The module focuses on the topics of strategic planning, project conception and project realisation.

Real Estate Development

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module enables students to oversee the entire real estate development process. The module focuses on the topics of strategic planning, project conception and project realisation.

Master's Thesis

• ECTS: 10
• Details on this module

The Master's thesis demonstrates the students' ability to investigate a practice-oriented topic from a subject area which is related to their area of study, and to apply scientific terms, methods and concepts while adhering to predetermined deadlines.

Master studio

• ECTS: 5

Selection of a module from one of the specialisations or from the Master's programme's list of compulsory elective modules. The list will be published here in spring 2025.

Processes, Projects and Procurement

• ECTS: 5

Module from the module list (can be taken in the 2nd or 3rd semester)

• ECTS: 3

Selection of a module from the compulsory elective module list for the Workplace & Services specialisation. The list will be published here in spring 2025.

Circular Economy Management

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH The real estate industry is responsible for tying up many resources, sometimes for decades. Therefore, in order to deal with the limited resources available in an economic and environmentally sound manner, changing from a linear to a circular real estate economy and the transition to sustainable building design, use and management is essential. Sustainability and circularity assessment is another tool for identifying, further refining and managing the impact of the built environment on the climate and on nature, also in the context of corporate, owner and user responsibility.

Real Estate Valuation

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH This module focuses on real estate valuation and valuation methods. It also illustrates the key differences between real estate valuation and business valuation. Various valuation methods such as hedonic regression and earnings value will be applied, and the students will develop their own Discounted Cash Flow Model. In addition, the students will learn how these assessments can be critically evaluated. They will be able to explain real estate valuation processes and the relevant ethical aspects and codes of conduct.

Processes, Projects and Procurement

• ECTS: 5

Leadership, Ethics, Change

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module helps students to develop their ability to shape leadership processes in a sustainable and responsible manner. It reflects on the role that the modern manager plays in reliably creating added social, economic, and ecological value in the dynamic and interdisciplinary environment of real estate and facility management. Constant and sometimes unforeseen changes are an ongoing challenge which requires organisational and individual approaches, as well as coping strategies.

Research Plan

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH Students develop their own research topic, perform theoretical research, develop a research questions/hypothesis, and choose a research approach for their Master's thesis.

Master studio

• ECTS: 5

Selection of a module from one of the specialisations or from the Master's programme's list of compulsory elective modules. The list will be published here in spring 2025.

Intercultural Competence

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

This two-semester module is aimed at students who plan to study abroad or who wish to prepare for future work with culturally diverse teams. The course is open to all students from the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. In addition to six on-campus workshops, a significant portion of the module is completed online. The course was developed, and is offered, by an interdisciplinary team from the School of Life Sciences. Participants receive a certificate in ‘Intercultural Competence’ upon successful completion of the course.

Virtual University

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

External Efforts

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

Individual Skills

• ECTS: 2

International Experience

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

Workplace Strategy and Innovation

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module focuses on places of work and how they can function to support the core business of organisations. Workplaces are an organisational resource which is managed in alignment with other dimensions (business, culture, technology) to support employee effectiveness. The focus is on workplace strategy and innovation, as well as sustainability and digitisation in workplace management.

Module from the module list (can be taken in the 2nd or 3rd semester)

• ECTS: 3

Selection of a module from the compulsory elective module list for the Workplace & Services specialisation. The list will be published here in spring 2025.

PropTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

Students are introduced, and directly exposed, to the world of Property Technology Companies (PropTech) and their innovations, which are fuelling disruptive change in the real estate industry. It also highlights the key elements of entrepreneurship and introduces funding opportunities for start-ups. In addition, it explores the economic drivers of digital disruption and how PropTech companies are using innovative technologies to, for instance, change and improve transactions.

Real Estate Investment and Finance

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module focuses on real estate as an asset class, the most important investment opportunities for real estate and the financing of real estate. Building on this, approaches to developing investment strategies which optimise real estate portfolios are explored. The students are taught which criteria are used to make and assess real estate investments, such as investment strategies, investment analysis, portfolio considerations, aspects of taxation, benchmarking, and performance attribution. On the topic of real estate financing, mortgage loans from the investor's point of view and lending from the bank's perspective are examined in detail.

PropTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

Students are introduced, and directly exposed, to the world of Property Technology Companies (PropTech) and their innovations, which are fuelling disruptive change in the real estate industry. It also highlights the key elements of entrepreneurship and introduces funding opportunities for start-ups. In addition, it explores the economic drivers of digital disruption and how PropTech companies are using innovative technologies to, for instance, change and improve transactions.

Digital Transformation

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module focuses on how real estate-related companies approach the digital transformation process. Goal-oriented uses of digital technologies for improving, optimising, or disrupting existing business models are outlined, including with respect to interface management between IT, corporate strategy, and real estate. Insights into the development of a digital strategy for managing real estate portfolios and the associated real estate and facility management activities are also provided.

Public and Corporate Real Estate

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

The focus of this module is on the analysis of public and private property management. Students learn the basic principles relevant to public and private sector activities and how to apply them to specific areas. In particular, how real estate portfolios are put together is discussed. It highlights the strategic importance of administering and managing portfolios which, from a corporate, political, and societal perspective, extend beyond the boundaries of organisations.

Research Lab

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module focuses on how real estate-related companies approach the digital transformation process. Goal-oriented uses of digital technologies for improving, optimising, or disrupting existing business models are outlined, including with respect to interface management between IT, corporate strategy, and real estate. Insights into the development of a digital strategy for managing real estate portfolios and the associated real estate and facility management activities are also provided.

Real Estate Modelling and Forecasting

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

This module covers the basic principles of inductive statistics and econometrics for the processing and analysis of structured data. In addition, students learn how to use common statistical software. The focus of the module is on applying the methods learned in order to carry out empirical analyses in real estate.

Intercultural Competence

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

This two-semester module is aimed at students who plan to study abroad or who wish to prepare for future work with culturally diverse teams. The course is open to all students from the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. In addition to six on-campus workshops, a significant portion of the module is completed online. The course was developed, and is offered, by an interdisciplinary team from the School of Life Sciences. Participants receive a certificate in ‘Intercultural Competence’ upon successful completion of the course.

Virtual University

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

External Efforts

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

Individual Skills

• ECTS: 2

International Experience

• ECTS: 2
• Details on this module

Service Strategy and Innovation

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH The module focuses on services that support and improve the key activities of an organisation. Services are value-creating processes provided by internal or external organisational units to help employees be more effective. Key areas of focus are Service Strategy, Relationship Management, Service Business Design and Innovation, and Service Ecosystems in B4B4C.

Strategies in Sustainability

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of sustainability and its relevance to the field of real estate and facility management. This includes environmental, economic, and social aspects as well as an examination of the entire surrounding eco-system. Current methods used in sustainability planning, certification, monitoring, and reporting, as well as methods for procurement and quality assurance of construction and FM services are presented and analysed. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods are identified and their application to specific strategies are explored. After successfully completing the module, students have the opportunity to obtain the title "Swiss ESG Manager:in the SGNI" directly via a separate examination at the SGNI.

Sustainable Finance and Governance

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

The history of the discourse surrounding sustainability discourse its relevance to different sustainability concepts for the governance of real estate and facility management is introduced at the very beginning of this module. This equips students with a critically reflective attitude towards current sustainability practices. Subsequently, the module covers key areas of real estate economics, such as the time value of money, capital market theory and capital costs, financing and capital structure, company value, investments, and risk management. The module also focuses on the question of how Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) factors can be included in investment decisions. The most important stakeholders in the areas of sustainable finance, green financing instruments, sustainability ratings and political influences are examined and evaluated.

Real Estate Markets

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

Developments with macroeconomic relevance to the national and global real estate market and its submarkets are discussed. The focus is on applying theoretical models to practical issues. The differences between various market segments are considered, and supply and demand in real estate markets is discussed. As a result, students gain an understanding of the main drivers of price development. They also learn to identify and adequately use data sources. Furthermore, they become more versed in urban economics concepts so that they can understand the value of a location.

Applied Research Methods

• ECTS: 5
• Details on this module

MODULE IN ENGLISH The module predominantly addresses qualitative and quantitative sociological research methods with the aim of applying them to specific issues and problems in the fields of real estate and facility management. The students are provided with the fundamentals and competencies that are required for this by means of practical examples.