Land Economy

Land Economy is a multi-disciplinary degree which includes the study of law, economics, finance, environment and development.  

Land Economists pursue a variety of careers: in recent years about half our students have progressed to graduate degrees at leading international universities and others are pursuing careers in the bar and in banking, finance, chartered accountancy, management consultancy and real estate finance.  

The Cambridge Land Economy degree provides full exemptions from the written examinations of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and also exemptions from certain of the law subjects required for qualification as a barrister and solicitor.

In the first year students are given a thorough grounding in the two primary disciplines (law and economics). In addition they study accounting and data evaluation.

In the second year students start to apply their economics and law to issues and problems relating to land and property, spatial analysis and the environment.

The third year offers greater scope for specialisation, particularly in the more vocational aspects of Land Economy: for example, real estate valuation, landlord and tenant law, urban and environmental planning, development economics, agriculture and rural development. In addition, there is a compulsory dissertation, carrying 20% of the examination marks.

Land Economy is primarily a three year degree. However, it is also possible to read it for one or two years, either before or after another Tripos subject (for example, Economics, Geography, Archaeology and Anthropology or Law). Equally, it is possible to transfer to another Tripos at the end of the first or second year course in Land Economy (for example, to Management Studies).

Teaching is based on programmes of lectures and supervisions (small group tutorials). In addition some subjects require project work and role play.

Lectures are geared specifically to the requirements of the examination, with two lectures per subject per week. During supervisions (held fortnightly for each subject) students are encouraged to discuss the philosophy and underlying rationale of decisions and policies with respect to land, property and the environment, taking into account institutional, political and social influences as well as those derived from law, economics and business. Supervisions, in groups of between two and five, usually take place in the Department rather than the College, with University teachers and researchers who are often Fellows of other Colleges.

More details about the Land Economy course can be found on the Department of Land Economy website.

Magdalene aims to admit three to four Land Economists each year, and in recent years with have received up to nine applications per place. We have one of the University's most experienced Directors of Studies, our academic results are consistently strong and our students are a happy and supportive group.

The College is fortunate to have a benefaction (from Fred Cleary, an Honorary Fellow 1976-84) to support study of the subject (e.g. field trip and travel expenses), and College Scholarships are awarded on the basis of University exam results.

Since the Land Economy Tripos is an interdisciplinary course, you need to be passionate, open-minded and curious about law and economics and their relationship to the natural and built environment.  The Land Economy Tripos aims to give students a rigorous foundation in law and economics so students must be willing to undertake demanding study in those areas.

Please refer to the Department of Land Economy website for further information.

Applicants for Land Economy are drawn from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. Students can have a background in either the Arts or the Sciences, and some have both. What is required is a demonstration of numeracy and literacy, critical and analytical skills, the ability to learn and the determination to succeed. Maths A level (or equivalent) is helpful but not required: there are additional classes for students who have not studied Maths at this level and they are expected to get up to speed quickly.  

Our minimum offer level is A*AA at A-level, or 41-42 in the IB with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Interviews and written assessment

Candidates for Land Economy will normally be interviewed by the Director of Studies and usually one other specialist in the subject (taking approximately 20-30 minutes) as well as by two other Fellows of the College (usually 20-25 minutes).

Candidates are normally asked to read a comprehension and discussion piece prior to each interview, upon which they may be questioned.

The aim of the interview is not just to test your knowledge of a particular subject, but also to explore your ability to see, and argue, both sides of an issue.

Candidates for Land Economy are not required to take a written admissions assessment.