The University College of Estate Management, formerly the College of Estate Management is an independent Higher Education institution which provides courses by distance learning for people in the real estate development and construction industries throughout the world. UCEM is also one of eight original members of the Independent Universities Group, made up of universities not funded by the HEFCE. As of 2013, UCEM had educated over 150,000 students.
History
The College of Estate Management was founded in 1919 by the "Chartered Auctioneers' and Estate Agent's Institute" later becoming the "Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors". The college was formed specifically to serve the property-related Estate Management and Construction industry sectors. The scale of British lives lost in the First World War had led to a shortage of trained staff to manage the country's estates. In 1938 the College gained recognition from the University of London to provide tuition for its internal degree. An association with the University of Reading goes back to 1967 and the College relocated from Kensington in London to the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus in 1972. Today UCEM is an independent self-funded charity, and was granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers in its own right by the Privy Council in January 2013. On 11 November 2015, CEM was awarded university college status by the Privy Council and changed its name to the University College of Estate Management. In September 2013, the college appointed Ashley Wheaton as its 9th Principal, taking over the role from former Principal Dr Ann Heywood who retired. Formerly located at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus, UCEM moved premises in September 2016 to 60 Queens Road, Reading, Berkshire. His Royal HighnessThe Prince of Wales has been patron of UCEM from 1998 to present. In March 2019, to celebrate the University's centenary year of existence, Prince Charles visited the UCEM building in Reading, to meet students and staff.
Courses and qualifications offered
A large variety of courses are offered, including programmes accredited by professional bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building. UCEM diploma or degree courses include surveying practice, building surveying, construction management, estate management, property management, quantity surveying, shopping centre management, construction and real estate. At any one time the University College of Estate Management has between 3500 and 4000 students participating from over 100 different countries.
Alumni
Notable alumni include:
Alan Collett — 131st President of the RICS 2012–2013
Irene Barclay - First Woman in Britain to qualify as a chartered surveyor, following the passage of the Sex Disqualification Removal Act 1919. She was an active social reformer, focusing on improving housing conditions in the St Pancras slums in London between the First and Second World Wars for which she received an OBE. 1894–1989..
The College of Estate Management conducts independent, applied research within the industries it serves, which is available as a resource to students and alumni.
