Housing Studies(Full Time) (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second-class honours degree (upper second-class preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Potential applicants who are already working in housing can apply for the Postgraduate Diploma course on a part-time basis over two years, or at Masters level over three years, without having to do an internship. As attendance on campus is required sporadically across the year 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

This MSc/PgDip Housing Studies (with internship) course will introduce you to the most up-to-date ideas and debates in housing and offered the opportunity to learn about the cutting edge of housing practice, including: Providing housing services - the majority of the course is delivered online, with occasional teaching on campus, to suit your professional and personal commitments. 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 24 months part-time and you’ll study six academic modules. Professional Practice The course also includes a module on reflective practice, preparation for professional practice and attachment to a social landlord to facilitate workplace learning. These precede an internship of 50 days carried out over the academic year, arranged to suit both the employer and student where possible, linked to practical requirements of the Chartered Institute of Housing. 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 You’ll attend a virtual induction in September to start the course. Core academic modules are delivered online. These 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 2 you'll complete a practice-based internship with a UK based housing organisation and will receive a mix of online live and on-campus training to prepare you. As attendance on campus is required sporadically across the year this study route is not eligible for sponsorship to study in the UK. In Year 3, you will 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. Internships are assessed through a series of practice reports and a reflective practice diary. 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. The research-based dissertation can be based on work undertaken as part of the internship period, simplifying the process of achieving a Masters. 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 Year 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 If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee. 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. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans Some intakes of this course are 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 Scholarships Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students . University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . 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: 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). Stirling graduates have a strong track record of making rapid career progress on completion of the Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Studies. Our graduates work in a variety of roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors in roles including: Housing Officer Senior Housing Officer Tenancy Services Team Manager Locality Housing Director Factoring Officer Energy Adviser Housing Strategy and Policy Officer