MSc in Real Estate (MRE) is the only master’s degree in Asia that draws on multi-disciplinal research and teaching resources ranging from real estate, business to hospitality. The programme offers an experiential learning curriculum that integrates theory and real-world practice to ensure that students understand multiple phases of the real estate development from business, investment and community perspectives.
The real estate industry plays a crucial role in Asia and in the world. Commercial properties such as office buildings, mixed-use properties, data centres; various hospitality-related properties such as hotels, shopping malls, theme parks, exhibition and convention centres; and other entertainment venues are a significant part of the dynamic and complex real estate industry. These commercial assets have gained rising strategic importance in the portfolios of many developers and investors.
MRE places a strong emphasis on practicality and applicability in real estate settings. Courses are designed to cover essential theoretical models, complemented by real life case studies for practical application. Through elective courses, students can tailor their studies toward specific areas such as property and development planning, research and consultancy, valuation, finance and investment, asset and facilities management, or leasing and marketing. Each of these areas offers abundant career opportunities for MRE graduates. The knowledge and skills taught in MRE courses are highly transferrable and are also in demand across various finance and investment roles outside the real estate sector.
Real estate is not only a collection of properties and investment vehicles but also an interface between people and the built environment. Leveraging the extensive industry network of the School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM), MRE provides students with diverse opportunities for experiential learning, networking and career development.
The programme is professionally accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Learning from Professionals
Taught by experienced faculty members and renowned professionals, you will gain industry expertise from the perspectives of both owners and operators in the real estate industry. You will have opportunities to discuss the challenges, emerging trends and future opportunities of the industry with renowned professionals at guest lectures and company visits.
See Curriculum
- A bachelor’s degree with Second Class honours or achieving an average grade of B from a recognised university, or an equivalent professional qualification.
- GMAT / GRE scores are not mandatory, but a good GMAT / GRE score will strengthen the application.
- English language proficiency
You will gain hands-on industry experience through various events and projects throughout the programme, and have plenty of opportunities to witness theories and strategies in action in organisations across the city.
At CUHK Business School, you will develop both professional and interpersonal skills. Our well-designed programme enables you to gain a greater awareness of how personal style and group dynamics influence the quality of leadership and decision-making.
The real estate industry is an important pillar of the Asian economies, and the hospitality industry is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in China. With the advantage of geographical proximity through studying in Hong Kong, you place yourself at the forefront of the industry’s development, and will be surrounded by pioneering organisations.
This programme is ideal for students who intend to pursue management and consulting careers in the real estate, hospitality, investment banking and strategic consulting industries.
Many of our graduates continue their careers in real estate as consultants and developers, while others go on to real estate investment, and banking and finance, or take up senior positions in the hospitality industry. We offer personalised career coaching to help you realise your potential and give your career a head start.
Our core curriculum provides students with solid knowledge and skills in real estate development, asset management, market analysis, financing, valuation, and investment. With a business focus ingrained throughout the curriculum, you will be equipped with the skills to manage strategic issues from a global perspective.
To complete the programme, you will need to attain a total of 30 credits of coursework, comprising of 6 core courses and 4 elective courses worth 3 credits each.
The programme structure is subject to change without prior notice.
MSc in Management of Real Estate and Hospitality Assets (MREHA) has been renamed as MSc in Real Estate (MRE) from academic year 2021-22 onwards. The renaming and restructuring of the curriculum reflect our programme’s unique positioning and core strengths with reference to the market.
Please notes:
Courses are subject to change.
Elective courses may be offered as intensive courses every alternate year or in the summer term.
- 3 core courses
- 3 core courses
- 4 elective courses
Students may choose up to 3 credits of course(s) from other programmes within CUHK Business School or ARCH5731 offered by the School of Architecture, subject to approval from Programme Directors.
Graduates of our programme will find career opportunities in areas such as development planning, research and consultancy, valuation, real estate finance, investment and management. The interdisciplinary approach to study further equips students with skills that are required in roles outside the real estate sector.
Typical Employers and Roles of MRE Graduates:
We offer personal advice, guidance and support in every area, including planning your career roadmap, writing your CV, preparing for interviews and more.
Previous career events include:
- 1-to-1 CV review and consultation sessions
- Career fairs / recruitment talks
- Company visits / field trips
- Executive speaker series
- Industry mentorship programme
- Skill development workshops (e.g. business etiquette, CV and interview workshops)
Non-local Students
As a non-local student, subject to the endorsement from the Programme Director, you may take curriculum-related internships for up to one-third of the duration of the programme. You can also apply for IANG visa and stay in Hong Kong after graduation to find your job opportunities.
Our graduates are primed for a variety of positions in real estate, finance, investment banking and strategic consulting.
- AECOM
- Bank of Communications
- CBRE
- China CITIC Bank International
- China Construction Bank
- China Development Bank
- China Financial Futures Exchange
- China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings Co., Ltd
- China Resources Group
- China Vanke
- CITIC Securities
- Colliers International
- Country Garden
- Cushman & Wakefield
- East China Architectural Design & Research Institute
- EY
- GF Securities
- Guotai Junan Securities
- Haitong Securities
- Hang Lung Properties
- HNA Group
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Land Capital
- Horwath HTL
- JLL
- Knight Frank
- KPMG
- Longfor Properties
- PwC
- Savills
- Sinopec
- Sun Hung Kai Properties
- Suning Holdings Group
- Unilever
Taught by experienced faculty members and renowned professionals, you will gain industry expertise from the perspectives of both owners and operators in the real estate industry. You will have opportunities to discuss the challenges, emerging trends and future opportunities of the industry with renowned professionals at guest lectures and company visits.
Real Estate Executive, Hong Kong Office Strategy & Solutions, Knight Frank I truly believe the MRE programme has served as a vital stepping stone for me to connect with numerous seasoned real estate professionals and seniors in Hong Kong. I greatly value its rich industry events, including roundtable sharing sessions and ULI gatherings, which help me engage with local practitioners.
Apart from in-class studies, we had plenty of offline practical activities. Guided by Dr. Ervi Liusman, we took a field walk from Central to Causeway Bay. This experience ignited my passion for Hong Kong Island’s Grade A buildings and laid the foundation for my current career focus. We also visited SF’s Hong Kong warehouse, gaining practical understanding of logistics assets and SF REITs.
To me, this programme functions as a compact finance-focused track inside the business school. Prof. Nelson Wong’s courses on property valuation and asset allocation have equipped me with solid professional expertise. These key skills set me apart and become my strong competitive edge during Hong Kong job interviews.
Senior Valuer, CBRE Looking back, this programme played a big part in preparing me for my career. The courses were practical and relevant, and the professors were always supportive and willing to share real industry insights. Beyond the technical knowledge, I really appreciated the collaborative learning environment and the friendships built along the way. The experience at CUHK has given me a strong foundation and confidence as I continue to grow in the real estate profession and navigate new challenges in a dynamic market.
Senior Analyst, Southern China Research, Savills
I am honoured to have joined CUHK as a student of MScRE. Over the past year, I not only met top-notch professors with cutting-edge industry insights, but also gained professional industry knowledge and friendships with a group of lovely and outstanding classmates.
My year-long study in CUHK MScRE helped me identify my career direction and laid a solid foundation of professional knowledge for my future career development. The most unforgettable experience at CUHK was about taking Dr. Ervi Liusman’s course. Through Augmented Reality (AR) technology and field trips, we have deepened our understanding and application of professional knowledge. I would also like to thank Dr. Jenny Tian and Mr. Hugh Huang for their meticulous care and support during my learning journey, giving me the feeling of home.
Choosing to study at CUHK is not just about pursuing a master’s degree, but experiencing a different way of life. The slogan of “The Imaginist”: Imagine Other Possibilities reflects my thoughts. CUHK Business School provided us with vast opportunities and a perfect platform to see the world through a wider perspective, from which we could meet friends with diverse backgrounds, realise and improve our own shortcomings, as well as strive for better career opportunities. MScRE’s professional curriculum has further stimulated my enthusiasm for the real estate industry and boosted my confidence for future career advancement in the industry.
Product Manager, Alibaba
In my studies at CUHK, the most impressive thing was that I could learn from many outstanding teachers who have strong industry experience and are kind to offer their rigorous guidance to us. My most unforgettable experience was the course taught by Dr. Ervi Liusman, who applied Virtual Reality technology for the first time to assist the explanation of theories. I also appreciated the offline discussion about career planning with Zhaoxin Jiang, an honorary research fellow from CUHK’s Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies. During my CUHK learning journey, I met many humble and talented alumni who had fully utilised the learning resources of CUHK and left vivid and unforgettable memories of studying and living in Hong Kong.
Dr. Liusman’s course was so eye-opening that students could explore potential career directions based on their interests, such as consulting, internet strategy, product manager and more. For example, I switched from a Big 5 Real Estate Consultancy Firm (CBRE, Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield, Jones Lang LaSalle and Savills) to BAT (Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent). My most valuable takeaway from studying in Hong Kong is the prudent attitude towards work and study, the innovative business mindset, and the spirit of constantly seeking new experiences.
Research Assistant, Chairman’s Office, Sun Hung Kai Properties
This programme was a truly rewarding experience for me. The practical curriculum, interactive classes and supportive faculty created the best learning environment for me to grow and achieve my career goals.
Throughout the year, I had abundant opportunities to gain practical skills, such as internships and hosting guest speakers, which I continue to apply in my workplace today. I also gained a belief in myself that has benefitted every aspect of my life.
It is inspiring to freely share views with my classmates, professors and renowned industry guest speakers from around the region. The classes are not only intensive and fruitful but really enjoyable. We learn in a rewarding atmosphere while developing true friendships with our classmates and greatly enhancing our network.
You should have:
- graduated from a recognised university and obtained a bachelor’s degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class or achieving an average grade of not lower than “B”; or
- completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
GMAT / GRE scores are not mandatory, but a good GMAT / GRE score will strengthen the application.
Please also see the English Language Requirements for Admission.
Please note:
- We start assessing your application when we receive the hard copies of your supporting documents.
- If your application is not selected in one round, we will reassess it in the next round until admissions close.
- Results are usually issued about a month after the deadline of each round. If you are successful, you will receive an offer letter by the June before the programme begins at the latest.
2027-28 Admission
Admission Deadline
Full-time
31 Jul 2026 (Early Round)
31 Mar 2027
Application will be processed on a rolling basis until all places fill up. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged. The application deadline may be closed early if places are no longer available. The subsequent applications received may not be considered.
Contact Us
 | Room 701, 7/F, Cheng Yu Tung Building, 12 Chak Cheung Street, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong |
|---|---|
 | mscre@cuhk.edu.hk |
 | +852 3943 8594 |
The tuition fee for the academic year 2027/2028 is HK$320,000. (Subject to the University’s Approval)
Tuition would be paid in 3 instalments:
- HK$106,667 (admission deposit) within 2 weeks of confirming your offer
- HK$106,667 at the beginning of the 2nd trimester
- HK$106,666 at the beginning of the 3rd trimester
Admission Scholarships
Admission scholarships of up to 30% of the tuition fee will be awarded to up to 10 students in each academic year on the basis of academic merits and with consideration of non-academic achievements. All applicants who fulfill the following criteria will be considered.
- Students who obtained/ are expected to obtain before admitting to CUHK their undergraduate degree of excellent standing from “985” universities in the Chinese Mainland, The Association of American Universities in the USA, Russel Group universities in the UK, Group of Fifteen universities in Canada, Group of Eight universities in the Australia and any universities in Asia (excluding the Chinese Mainland).
- Students who achieve good GMAT/ GRE/ IELTS/ TOEFL scores.
- Students who obtain relevant professional qualifications.
Special Admission Scholarships for International Students
All international students applying for the Programme via the online application platform are eligible for the scholarships. The Programme Office will identify qualified students during the recruitment exercise. Selected students will be informed when the Admission Notification is issued by the Graduate School.
No separate application for the admission scholarships is necessary. If you are selected, we will inform you in your offer letter.
Loans for Local Students
Local students may be eligible for a loan from the Extended Non-means tested Loan Scheme (ENLS). For more information, please see the ENLS website.
Welcome to the MSc in Real Estate (MRE) Programme at CUHK — where your journey to industry leadership begins.
I am delighted to introduce you to a dynamic programme designed to shape the next generation of real estate leaders. At MRE, we go beyond the classroom — integrating rigorous academic theory, real-world practice, and deep industry engagement into one transformative learning experience.
Our mission is clear: to empower ambitious individuals with the knowledge, skills, and professional mindset needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving real estate landscape. From development strategy and asset valuation to investment underwriting, branding and marketing, and financial and ESG reporting, our curriculum spans the full spectrum of the real estate business. Students gain not only technical expertise, but also strategic insight and industry perspective.
At CUHK MRE, you will join a vibrant community of future professionals, distinguished faculty members, and industry leaders. The journey will challenge you, inspire you, and prepare you to lead. Step forward and shape the future of real estate with us!
