WOLVERHAMPTON, England – Aspiring auctioneers will be bringing the gavel down on an innovative degree course at the University of Wolverhampton, in England’s West Midlands region.
The new Foundation Degree in Auctioneering and Valuation is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. Students will be taught how to value and auction personal property, including antiques and real estate.
The course has been developed with industry leaders and is designed to meet growing demand for a recognized university qualification in the field of auctioneering and valuation.
Dr. Felix Hammond, Lecturer at the University’s School of Engineering and the Built Environment, said: “The course will cover subjects such as business skills, auction law, auction economics, auctioneering methods and techniques, valuation principles and applications as well as sales and marketing of goods and services.
“The foundation degree is a joint initiative by the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers (NAVA) and The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), with the endorsement of the British Property Federation (BPF) and the University of Wolverhampton, and we are delighted to be working together on this innovative course.”
The foundation degree is aimed at people working within the industry and will be studied through work releases arranged with the participants’ employers to minimize disruption to business. After the two-year foundation degree, students will have an opportunity to ‘top-up’ to a relevant bachelor degree, such as the University of Wolverhampton’s BSc (Hons) Property Management or BSc (Hons) Real Estate, or a BSc (Hons) Auctioneering and Valuation degree, which is currently being developed.
The contents and mode of delivery of the course have been designed by a steering committee comprised of representatives of NAVA, NAEA, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and practitioners working with leading names in the industry such as Allsop Property Consultants, Davey & Davey, Warwick Auctions of Coventry Ltd., and SIA Group.
Charles Smailes, Chairman of the National Association of Auctioneers and Valuers, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for students already working in the industry to further their career and personal advancement whilst learning the practical skills via their employer. This foundation degree fills an identified void and we are delighted to be partnering the University of Wolverhampton with this course.”
The qualification will also lead to membership of a professional body. A limited number of places is available for the course, which starts in February 2009. For further information, visit www.wlv.ac.uk/sebe or call Bernadette Quick on 01902 322251.
