Key points
• Gain a flexible approach to managing the building process.
• Get the industry perspective with lectures from consultancies and big business.
• Secure the placement you want thanks to our excellent links with industry.
• Start your journey to chartered status during your placement.

What is quantity surveying?
Quantity surveyors are the cost managers of construction. They are initially involved with the capital expenditure phase of a building or facility, which is the feasibility, design, construction and maintenance phases. Quantity surveyors are employed by construction consultancies, working on behalf of the client, or for construction companies and suppliers. It is an international profession, whereby quantity surveyors are known as cost consultants, employed within the civil engineering and construction industries (taken from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors).

This course

Prepare for a career in quantity surveying on a course with excellent links to industry. You learn the essential measurement, financial, contractual and managerial knowledge and skills needed and develop an active and flexible approach to managing the building process.

A core part of your learning is IT based and so your studies are partly based at our newly updated computer suites and award winning learning centre. Here, you use specialist software for managing human and physical resources, assessing critical paths and monitoring project costs.

You also learn through • lectures • seminars • tutorials • practical laboratory classes • workshops • fieldwork • site visits • self-directed project work.
You learn from experienced quantity surveying tutors and lecturers, all of whom have practised within local government, private practice and in construction companies. To ensure you get the latest industry perspectives, we have visiting lecturers from consultancy companies and large contractors to speak on key aspects of current professional practice.

In your first year, you study common modules alongside other students in the built environment programme, gaining a strong foundation in the principles of construction, building and surveying. Then in your second year, you focus on quantity surveying learning the skills and knowledge needed for the workplace.

You then have the opportunity to apply your learning in the third year, on a paid work placement at a building organisation or professional practice. You can apply for placements with companies such as • BAM Construct UK • Bramall Construction Ltd • Balfour Beatty Construction • Frank Haslam Milan Building Consultants.

You can then start the first year of your Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) within the 36 weeks of your placement year, so long as you have secured a placement with a firm that has completed a RICS APC training agreement.

This is a great opportunity to improve your career prospects and starting salary, and some students are offered jobs at the end of the placement.  You normally return in year four to complete your studies, although some students take up full-time employment and complete their studies part-time.

Key areas of study
Key areas include • domestic construction technology and environmental services • built environment law • health and safety management • site management practice • management theory • refurbishment and maintenance • advanced construction planning • cost planning • quantity surveying professional practice.

Contact hours
You take part in a minimum of 12 taught hours per week during your first and second year.  The normal teaching pattern typically involves one lecture and one seminar per week, per module.  You also have additional timetabled hours periodically for other activities such as laboratory work, guest lectures and field trips.

In your final year, taught teaching is supplemented independent research for your dissertation. Throughout your course, you are supported by a personal tutor.

Related courses

• BSc (Honours) Construction Project Management (Full-time)
• BSc (Honours) Building Surveying (Full-time)
• BSc (Honours) Built Environment (Full-time)
• BSc (Honours) Real Estate (Full-time)