Building Surveying BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

Building surveyors specialise in the maintenance and care of buildings, working in areas such as building design, refurbishment or alteration, and in resolving disputes between adjoining owners or landlord and tenant. Studies are therefore multidisciplinary, covering a variety of topics. 

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

What will you study?

Building surveying is a multi-disciplinary subject, and this course covers topics from the fields of technology, building design, law, professional practice and heritage buildings. Here at Kingston we place a special emphasis on design, design appreciation and building sustainability.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• Development and Construction

• Development and Construction

  This module aims to help you gain an understanding of:

  • urban growth, the history and current legislation regarding land use;
  • basic construction methods and structural behaviour, including the study of building materials; and
  • the history and theories of urban growth, plus urban planning (supported with case studies).

  Assessment is by coursework and examination – the coursework will involve both individual and group work.

  
   
• Law

• Law

  This module covers:

  • the nature of law;
  • the workings of the English legal system; and
  • the Law of Contracts, the Law of Torts and Land Law.

  We will encourage you to develop legal writing skills, analysis of legal principles and debating skills.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars. You will take an active part in discussions and debates. Assessment is by a multiple choice test, coursework and examination.

  
   
• Procurement and Financial Management I

• Procurement and Financial Management I

  This module introduces you to:

  • the property and construction industries;
  • procurement methods; and
  • the principles of documentation.
  
   
• Economics

• Economics

  This module develops your knowledge and understanding of macro and micro economic principles, with specific reference to their role in business and the property/construction industries.

  We will encourage you to:

  • develop an inquiring approach to economic trends and factors; and
  • take an active part in discussions and debates.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars. Assessment is by coursework and examination.

  
   
• Projects 1

• Projects 1

  This module introduces you to a variety of study skill techniques. You practice these in group and individual project work relating to building surveying practice.

  
   
• Business Management

• Business Management

  This module introduces you to:

  • the nature and purpose of organisations - within both theoretical and applied contexts;
  • the history and development of management thinking; and
  • the development of business practice within this.
  
   
• Design Appraisal

• Design Appraisal

  This module develops your awareness of your physical environment. It gives you:

  • the skills needed to appreciate the aesthetics of building design; and
  • the tools necessary to carry out a small scale residential design.

  The module is taught by lectures, seminars and crits. You will take an active part in discussion, debate and team work. Assessment is by studio crits.

  
   
• Work-based Module I (part-time students only)

• Work-based Module I (part-time students only)

  This module is available only to students studying part time on surveying programmes and who are in relevant employment.

  Through project work based on your live experiences, it seeks to develop your powers of observation, reflection and enquiry relating to your field of study and your work.

  There are no formal lectures; instead you are tutored individually and in groups as you undertake the projects. Assessment is through reports and reflective diary.

  
   

Year 2

• Building Appraisal

• Building Appraisal

  This module develops your building appraisal techniques. It will allow you to:

  • develop an awareness of the need for a planning, management and maintenance strategy to achieve effective building management;
  • develop the skills to develop such plans;
  • recognise the causes of obsolescence and dilapidation; and
  • gain a working knowledge of defect diagnosis, repair, rehabilitation and renewal processes
  
   
• Construction Technology II
• Construction Law

• Construction Law

  This module gives you an in depth knowledge of standard contract forms. You cover:

  • the different types of construction contract; and
  • the legal duties and responsibilities of the construction professional.
  
   
• CAD and Building Science

• CAD and Building Science

  This module introduces you to the principles of computer aided design (current AutoCAD version). You will gain:

  • a knowledge of file and data management and communication on a computer network - so you can operate efficiently in the workplace;
  • a working knowledge of building materials; and
  • an understanding of the fundamentals of structural behaviour.
  
   
• Development Design

• Development Design

  This module allows you to develop:

  • an understanding of the concept, law and practice of development control;
  • design and drawing skills (for estate layouts and building detailing); and
  • an understanding of the social, economic and environmental consequences of design decisions
  
   
• Research Journal in Context
• Projects 2

• Projects 2

  This module will build on your study skills. Working on projects related to building surveying practice, you will improve your:

  • ability to undertake professional work; and
  • presentation and effective teamwork skills.
  
   
• Work-based Module II (part-time students only)

• Work-based Module II (part-time students only)

  This module is only available to students studying on a part-time route.

  It provides you with a framework within which you can apply theoretical knowledge to the realistic environment of practice. You develop your ability to self-assess your professional practice and become a reflective practitioner.

  The module is not formally taught; instead you are tutored through the process of critically appraising projects undertaken in the workplace. These act as learning vehicles for you to reflect upon the experiences that you gain in practice. Assessment is by project.

  
   

Year 3

• Building Control

• Building Control

  This module covers the statutes and regulatory controls that govern building design and defects, plus development of existing buildings. You will:

  • learn how to analyse and apply the regulatory and statutory framework controlling buildings; and
  • develop a questioning approach to the legislation.
  
   
• Building Design

• Building Design

  This module develops your knowledge of the environmental aspects of construction technology and building science. You will gain:

  • an understanding of the principles of sustainability and environmental sciences - and how they apply to building design, maintenance and performance;
  • a questioning approach to design in general, plus energy efficiency and sustainable buildings more specifically;
  • a deeper theoretical and practical knowledge of building design; and
  • analysis and presentation skills.

  You will also have the opportunity to debate and implement design principles. This will help develop the technical and professional skills you will need as a probationary building surveyor.

  
   
• Building Heritage

• Building Heritage

  This module gives you a detailed knowledge of the legislation and socio-economic frameworks that affect heritage buildings. You cover:

  • historic building materials, plus their analysis and maintenance requirements; and
  • issues regarding the UK's building heritage and how it can be adapted for a sustainable built environment of the future.
  
   
• Professional Practice Law

• Professional Practice Law

  This module builds on your existing knowledge of the law and professional practice to develop your:

  • analytical and critical skills when encountering legal problems;
  • knowledge of professional liability law; and
  • knowledge of other aspects of professional practice law, notably that relating to dispute resolution. 

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and practical skills based application seminars.  Assessment is by examination and coursework.

  
   
• Strategic Project Management

• Strategic Project Management

  This module is for full-time or sandwich route students only.

  
   
• Work-based module

• Work-based module

  This module is for students on the part-time route only.

  
   
• Dissertation/Critical Practice

• Dissertation/Critical Practice

  This module is for students on the part-time route only.