Postcards from the edge of Ireland - from rural Kerry to a Real Estate pathway
A student case study with Jordan Quinlivan
Average read time: 8 mins
21 July 2026
For ambitious property professionals outside Ireland's major cities, accessing specialist postgraduate education can be challenging. From her rural base outside the small town of Tralee, Jordan Quinlivan discovered that distance needn't be a barrier - using flexible online study to gain an MSc Real Estate while continuing to build her career in County Kerry.
For Jordan Quinlivan, the decision to pursue a master's degree was driven by a clear professional ambition: to build a long-term career in property and progress towards becoming a Chartered Surveyor.
At 25, the estate agent with DNG WH Giles was already working full-time in County Kerry, located on the rugged southwest coast of Ireland. But from her rural base outside the town of Tralee, accessing the next stage of professional qualification presented a challenge.
Tralee, with a population of 26,079, is the largest town in County Kerry, but the county remains one of Ireland's most rural regions, with many professionals living significant distances from major higher education institutions.
While Ireland offers highly regarded real estate degrees, there are currently no Irish universities offering an entirely online MSc in Real Estate for those living in remote parts of the country.
Institutions such as Technological University Dublin provide accredited master's programmes in the discipline, but these are delivered on-campus or through attendance-based part-time formats.
For professionals living and working far from Ireland's major cities, that can make postgraduate study difficult to reconcile with existing careers and personal commitments.
Jordan knew relocating was not a realistic option. She said: "As I am employed full time, moving to another part of the country would have required giving up my current position and taking on significant additional living costs as I would have to move to a city where cost of living is higher."
Instead, she found a solution through the University of the Built Environment's online MSc Real Estate programme.
"Geography should never be a barrier to achieving your ambitions."
- David Hourihan, Associate Professor
A professionally recognised route
The degree course is delivered entirely online and is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Importantly for students in Ireland, it is also recognised by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) – an Irish statutory body supporting progression within Ireland’s property profession.
The programme also aligns with the academic requirements expected by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), providing a recognised pathway towards chartered status.
For Jordan, that professional recognition was a key driver to joining the University of the Built Environment.
She said: "I decided an online MSc in Real Estate was the right option because it allowed me to continue working and maintain my current lifestyle while studying. What stood out about the programme was its accreditation … and providing a clear pathway to becoming a chartered surveyor."
Bringing opportunity to rural Ireland
The ability to access a recognised postgraduate qualification without moving to Dublin or another city removed what might otherwise have been a career-limiting obstacle for Jordan.
She said: "Studying online allowed me to access a master’s programme without having to relocate from Kerry. It removed the challenges of long commutes and moving away from work, while giving me the flexibility to balance my studies with my work."
Instead of stepping away from the industry, she was able to continue building practical experience while studying.
Associate Professor David Hourihan, Head of School – Real Estate and Innovation, said Jordan's story was the “perfect example of the flexibility our online programmes offer”.
He said: “Living in rural County Kerry, she was able to continue working full-time, gain valuable industry experience and complete her MSc Real Estate without relocating or putting her career on hold.
“By fitting her studies around work and personal commitments, she not only achieved her postgraduate qualification but also progressed towards becoming a Chartered Surveyor, thus demonstrating that geography should never be a barrier to achieving your ambitions."
Balancing work and study
"For me, the ability to balance study with work and gain practical experience at the same time outweighed the traditional campus experience.”
Jordan Quinlivan
- Jordan Quinlivan
A key benefit of e-learning is the flexibility to study at a time that best suits the student - be it because of work, time zones or family life.
"A typical week involved working full-time and completing my study in the evenings,” Jordan said. “As assignment deadlines approached, I would also dedicate some weekends to coursework. The flexibility of online learning made it possible as I could complete the master’s at a time that suits me."
Not just a benefit, however, for Jordan this aspect of online learning was “essential”.
“It allowed me to study in my own time around work and other commitments,” she said, “making it much easier to stay on track and complete the degree without having to put my career on hold."
More than an online degree
While online study is often associated with isolation, Jordan found that the programme's support network kept her connected throughout. The University offers an extensive suite of academic, pastoral, and welfare support to its global student community. We pride ourselves on comprehensive student advocacy and dedicated support channels, including:
• Student Central: The central hub for all student enquiries, offering guidance on registration, finance, IT, and assessments.
• Disability and Welfare Team: Provides tailored support, accommodation, and resources for students with disabilities, health conditions, or learning difficulties.
• Academic and Support Tutors: Tutors have extensive industry experience and help students manage their workloads and academic progress.
Jordan said: "The online format still provided opportunities to engage with lecturers and classmates, while offering much greater flexibility. For me, the ability to balance study with work and gain practical experience at the same time outweighed the traditional campus experience."
She added: "The programme provided plenty of ways to stay connected through discussion forums, email communication, and the academic support team. There was always someone available to answer questions or provide guidance, which helped create a strong sense of support despite studying remotely."
Real career impact
For Jordan, the value of the MSc has already translated into tangible professional progress.
"Completing the MSc in Real Estate has had a significant impact on my career,” she said. “It helped me obtain my Property Services Licence and has put me on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Surveyor through the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. The qualification has strengthened my professional knowledge and opened up further career opportunities within the property industry."
Her story illustrates how professionally accredited online education can broaden access to specialist qualifications, enabling ambitious professionals to progress within their chosen industry - regardless of location.
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