Construction and Real Estate Management

The international Master's degree programme in Construction and Real Estate Management (ConREM) is designed for professionals who wish to manage international building construction and real estate projects. It is mainly addressed to professionals in the field of architecture and civil engineering. ConREM provides a combination of engineering, economics, management and communication courses. Understanding different cultures is an essential qualification for working in a global market in a leading position. ConREM teaches students to adapt to foreign environments and to become acquainted with different mentalities and habits.

Educational organisation

HTW Berlin and Helsinki Metropolia jointly run the Master's programme, which has a regular study period of four semesters. The programme commences with the first two semesters in Helsinki, Finland. The third and fourth semesters take place in Berlin, Germany. All semesters include lectures; a written Master's thesis and colloquium should be completed after the fourth semester.

Study abroad unit(s)

The ConREM Master's degree programme takes place in Berlin and Helsinki. Therefore, each student spends two semesters in each country, Germany and Finland.
First two semesters: full-time studies at Helsinki Metropolia, Finland.
Third and fourth semester: full-time studies on HTW campus in Berlin, Germany.

Internships

None

Forms of assessment

Certification can take the form of written examinations, oral examinations, digital tests, projects and design proposals, and individual activities. Type and scope of the examinations, as well as the form of certification, are stipulated in the module descriptions. Examinations are conducted during the examination period of each semester.

Course objectives

After four semesters graduates are equipped to successfully perform in leading positions in areas like project development, project management and the delivery of engineering services in the field of construction and real estate management.
Job opportunities upon graduation:
Successful ConREM graduates are qualified to take up leading positions in the operating and strategic business of engineering services (e.g. consulting engineer), project engineering and project management, facility management or real estate engineering and management.
Competency and qualifications which are required for these business activities, such as

• economic proficiency and management methods
• scientific expertise
• mechanisms of human resources management
• the competence to take leadership of a department or business

are imparted in the ConREM Master's degree programme.

Language requirements

Sufficient command of English, a minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, must be proven. Recognised certification:

• FCE - First Certificate in English
• BEC Vantage - Business English Certificate
• TOEFL - 500 (paper-based), 170 (computer-based), 60 (internet-based)
• IELTS - level 5 (International English Language Testing System)
• UNIcert II - general, business or technical English
• TOEIC - 750 points (Test of English for International Communication)

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree or "Diplom" in civil engineering or architecture or a successfully completed Bachelor's degree or "Diplom" in a related subject area with at least 180 credits according to ECTS.
Students will be selected on the basis of the overall average grade of their prior studies, work experience and English language ability.
See also: http://www-en.htw-berlin.de/applications

Enrolment fees

Since students are registered at HTW Berlin and Helsinki Metropolia, fees have to be paid to both institutions. Helsinki Metropolia administrative fees are levied once (approx. 170 EUR). The HTW Berlin levies a fee of approx. 300 EUR per semester. This amount includes HTW Berlin Student Services fees, a semester ticket for public transport in Berlin, Berlin Student Union fees, and HTW Berlin administration fees in accordance with relevant government legislation.

Costs of living

Roughly 600-830 EUR per month are required to cover the cost of living in Berlin, including rent. This total is made up of: 150-280 EUR for rent, 200-300 EUR for food, 40-80 EUR for public transport in Helsinki (in Berlin the cost for public transport is included in the semester fee as a semester ticket), 100 EUR for books and other study materials, 100 EUR for cultural events and 50 EUR for health insurance (for health insurance coverage taken out in Germany). The cost of living in Finland are higher. For basic expenses such as food, rent and transportation you should budget at least 700-1000 EUR a month.

Job opportunities

In Germany, international students are permitted to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year on a student visa. During the semester, we would advise you to concentrate on your studies as the programme is very intensive and will take up most of your time. However, during semester break there are normally no lectures or seminars, and so you may wish to work during these periods.

Services and support for international students

The HTW Berlin and Helsinki Metropolia both have an international office which offers services and support for international students.

Accommodation

Students' residences in Berlin and Helsinki are not administered by the universities but by independent organisations - the "Studentenwerk Berlin" and the Helsinki Student Housing Foundation "HOAS".
http://www-en.htw-berlin.de/studying/incoming-exchange-students/accommodation/