Master of Science in Real Estate and Facility Management
How can real estate and built spaces be designed in an economical, sustainable and digital way today? With a Master's degree in Real Estate & Facility Management, you will create added value for companies, users and society – and shape the transformation of our living and working environments.
At a glance
Degree: Master of Science (MSc) ZHAW in Real Estate & Facility Management
Focus areas: Economics & Finance, Digitalisation & Sustainability, Workplace & Services, Strategy & Entrepreneurship. Option: Individual focus area via Master's studio
Workload: 90 ECTS credits (1 credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of work)
Study models: Part-time (4 or 6 semesters)
Admission requirements: Learn more
Start of studies: CW 38
Registration deadline: April 30th – register now
Language of instruction: Mainly German, 30 ECTS in English
Location: Alternating 3-week-cycle, online, hybrid and on-site (Wädenswil, Zurich, Winterthur or at the practice partner's premises)
Tuition fees: 720.– CHF per semester plus additional study-related expenses
RICS: accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Cooperation: 100+ practice partners and foreign universities
Why pursue a master's degree in Real Estate & Facility Management?
Real estate and working environments shape how we live and work. They can open up opportunities, foster community and make sustainability a reality. But how can this be achieved? In the Master of Science in Real Estate & Facility Management programme, you will help shape this future. As the only RICS-accredited programme in Switzerland, the course combines international standards with practical research. You will acquire the skills to effectively manage complex projects, rethink services, inspire people and create added value for the economy, society and the environment with foresight – throughout the entire life cycle of real estate.
Our Master's programme is aimed at ambitious individuals who want to develop or further develop the following skills:
- Strategic management: Management of the built environment and its services throughout the entire life cycle
- Digital transformation: BIM, CAFM, AI and data management for smart decisions
- Sustainability & Innovation: Life cycle costs, resource-efficient planning, intelligent user experiences, urban mobility
- Leadership & Change: Strategy development, change management, service design and workplace management
- Financial Excellence: Property valuation, financing, investments and markets
“Do you have questions about the course content, balancing study and work, or would you simply like to share your experiences? Then please feel free to contact me. I look forward to receiving your email.”
Michelle Tschurr, Student MSc Real Estate & Facility Management
Introductory offers
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- Ask a student: Michelle Tschurr, Student MSc Real Estate & Facility Management
- Taster course: Attend half a day of ongoing lessons.
- CV check: Check whether you are elegible for admission to the programme without obligation.
- Contact Student Advisory Service: Prof. Dr. Isabelle Wrase
“Contribute to the sustainability transformation throughout the property lifecycle – strategically, holistically and economically.”
Prof. Dr. Isabelle Wrase, Fellow RICS, programme director MSc Real Estate & Facility Management
Transdisciplinary studies with diverse career opportunities
Real estate, facility management and related services are the invisible giants of our economy. Accounting for around 13% of gross domestic product (BfS 2024), the sector is one of the most important economic sectors of all. We empower you for a future leadership role which not only enables you to design buildings and services, but also create new transdisciplinary knowledge for the economic and social future of entire markets.
Graduates have a wide range of career paths open to them, from real estate and facility management to business, architecture and engineering to hospitality. Career changers also receive targeted support.
Are you interested in a master's degree programme and would like to know whether you meet the requirements?
Focus areas and specialisation
Whether you choose Economics & Finance, Digitalisation & Sustainability, Workplace & Services, Strategy & Entrepreneurship or design your own personal study journey, you choose the path that suits you best.
Our flexible study model combines self-study with inspiring face-to-face and online lessons. With practical case studies, innovative learning formats and exchanges with experts and fellow students, you will acquire the knowledge and skills you need to advance your career in a targeted manner and strengthen your role as a specialist and leader in the long term.
In the Economics & Finance specialisation, you will delve deep into the world of institutional real estate investment. You will learn how to actively manage real estate portfolios and develop strategies for investments, divestments and optimisations. With a focus on financing, valuation and real estate development, you will acquire the knowledge that is indispensable in the capital market-oriented real estate industry and prepare yourself to make informed decisions and take on responsibility in a dynamic environment.
The Digitalisation & Sustainability specialisation focuses on two defining developments of our time: sustainable transformation and digital innovation. You will learn how digital technologies – from smart building solutions to the use of artificial intelligence in real estate and facility management – can become the key to a resource-efficient and sustainable built environment. By linking sustainability and digitalisation, you will develop the skills to exploit potential at the interfaces of the real estate and facility management industry in a practical and responsible manner.
In the Workplace & Services specialisation, you will design the working environments of tomorrow at the interface between space, productivity, well-being and services. You will develop innovative workplace strategies, optimise processes and implement modern concepts in facility management and hospitality. With a focus on customer-centric solutions, you will acquire the knowledge necessary to create sustainable and future-proof working environments and take on responsibility in a dynamic environment.
In the Strategy & Entrepreneurship specialisation, you can tailor your studies to your own interests and career goals by choosing from a wide range of specialisations, including Economics & Finance, Digitalisation & Sustainability, and Workplace & Services. You will learn to think strategically, recognise entrepreneurial opportunities and implement innovative projects in a practical manner. This will enable you to develop the skills to make informed decisions, promote new business ideas and take on active leadership responsibilities in the real estate industry.
Other
In the Master's studio, you will deepen your knowledge in your chosen specialisation or set new priorities – for example, in Applied Research and Data Sciences. A total of 45 ECTS credits are available for individual design (15 ECTS specialisation modules, 15 ECTS Master's thesis including research plan, 10 ECTS Master's studio, 5 ECTS Research Lab).
If you dedicate all modules to one topic, you will distinguish yourself as an expert in this area. Combine different topics, delve deeper into one field and specialise in another in the Master's studio.
Would you like to give your studies an international flavour? Whether it's an exchange semester or summer or winter school at one of our partner universities, we will support you and open up valuable experiences for you worldwide.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Thorsten Merkle.
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