Housing Studies (Part-Time) (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. This course is aimed at those already working in Housing. If you are interested in this programme but do not work in Housing please look at our other course Housing Studies (with internship) . As an online programme, this study route is not eligible for sponsorship to study in the UK. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 in reading, 19 in writing, 19 in listening and 22 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band. See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Course details

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing, the syllabus covers all aspects of housing services, including: Providing housing services - housing intervention across tenures, accessing housing, rent arrears, repairs, welfare reform, ethics and professionalism, communicating with customers, and equality, diversity and inclusion. 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 two years and you’ll study six academic modules. 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. Modules Teaching Core modules have weekly live online classes, which are interactive and require you to engage with written and/or video materials in advance. These live sessions are recorded. There are also online discussion board activities you must complete. In Year 3, you'll work more independently to develop your research skills with the support of your supervisor to complete a practice-focused housing research project. Assessment Assessment takes a variety of forms including essays, reports, online tests, group work and a seminar presentation. Each module has one or two assessments rather than end of semester examinations. Anyone who completes the Postgraduate Diploma requirements may register for a further period of study towards a Masters. This would require completion of either a research-based dissertation or the demonstration of advanced level reflective skills. Classroom hours Studying part-time equates to approximately 18 hours on average per week which includes all structured learning, personal study and assessments. Course director Dr Regina Serpa housingstudies@stir.ac.uk Key staff At Stirling, staff in Housing Studies aim to: provide effective professional housing education; promote development of skills in the workplace; promote and support equality and diversity in access to professional education; exploit technology to make our course of study available to students, regardless of location or learning needs; increase learning opportunities for students particularly from remote areas; enhance course content from tutors’ research and expertise. Admissions Tutor Professor Vikki McCall housingstudies@stir.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . 2026/27 fees UK and Republic of Ireland students International (including EU) students Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits) £6,733 £14,533 Masters Degree including dissertation (180 credits) £10,100 £21,800 Masters Degree - Dissertation only (60 credits) £3,367 £7,267 Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees. You can choose to study this course over a shorter period and the tuition fee will be adjusted accordingly. The fee for each year will be calculated based on the number of credits you enrol on each year. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Tuition fees and other associated expenses are normally met by sponsoring employers. Students and employers may wish to take into account other costs in budgeting for the course such as book purchase and travelling expenses and costs of accommodation for visits to campus. Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

Housing Studies graduates can find career opportunities in areas including: management in housing organisations, customer-facing roles in housing and homelessness services, specialist research, policy advocacy and strategy work, key government initiatives and policy areas. There are a range of career opportunities with employers across the housing sector such as Local authorities Charities Registered social landlords Universities Voluntary organisations Public service departments (like social services or health) Private and commercial companies An average salary in the UK for a Housing Officer is approximately £30,700 (Indeed April 2025). This will depend on the type of organisation, qualifications and experience. Housing manager salaries range from £30,000 to £45,000, rising to £65,000 or more for senior manager, head of housing or director-level posts (Prospects 2023). Our Housing Studies graduates work in a variety of roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors including; Housing and estate management Tenant participation Advocacy and advice Homelessness and tenancy sustainment Community development and regeneration Policy and strategy Specialist research