Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

Quantity surveyors ensure that developments and construction projects are completed on time and within budget. Much of their work is concerned with the financial aspects of construction, while they are also increasingly involved in providing clients with strategic business advice. This degree reflects the mix of technical, economic, legal and managerial skills required in industry.

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

What will you study?

The course provides you with the opportunity to gain a sound knowledge of the construction and development process, together with the essential business and consultancy knowledge you will need for a successful career.

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 Measurement

• Procurement and Measurement

  The module aims to give you an appreciation and understanding of:

  • the development of the building process; and
  • the key components of its use today.

  The also module covers:

  • how to apply your knowledge to worked examples, identifying the most appropriate procurement and contractual forms to suit client needs; and
  • an introduction to measurement and specification writing, applied to worked examples.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars; you will have to take an active part in applying to worked examples within the seminar format. Assessment is by coursework and in-class tests.

  
   
• 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.

  
   
• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects I

• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects I

  This introductory module prepares you for work within the wide arena of professional practice. It is designed to allow you to:

  • develop knowledge of the ways in which quantity surveyors operate and the type of projects they undertake;
  • learn through practical projects;
  • learn about building pricing, design and measurement, and survey work; and
  • begin to appreciate the role of the Chartered quantity surveyor and their place within the design, specification and pricing of commercial and non-commercial buildings. 
  
   
• Business Management

• Business Management

  The module introduces you to:

  • the nature and purpose of organisations – within both theoretical and applied contexts;
  • the history and development of management thinking; and
  • its place within the developing business environment.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars. You will take an active part in discussions and debate, and develop your research skills. Assessment is by coursework.

   

  
   
• 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.

  
   

Year 2

• Construction Technology

• Construction Technology

  This module aims to extend your knowledge and skill in construction technology, including services, from the basic types of construction to framed and complex structures. By the end of the module you should:

  • have developed a critical knowledge of building types;
  • be able to produce appropriate drawings and sketches;
  • be able to appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction and services solutions. 

  The module is taught by lectures and workshops, and assessed by examination and drawn portfolio.

  
   
• 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.
  
   
• Contract Administration and Practice

• Contract Administration and Practice

  This module builds on the principles introduced at Level 1. It will:

  • extend your knowledge and understanding of the pre and post contract role of the quantity surveyor; and
  • develop your ability to practice related assignments. 

  Although there will be some lectures, the teaching and learning emphasis will be placed on developing your core knowledge and associated interpersonal skills through the use of scenarios and workshops. Assessment will comprise scenario-based briefs and these will be individual submissions.

  
   
• Design Economics and Cost Planning

• Design Economics and Cost Planning

  This module builds on your existing knowledge of economic principles. It develops this into:

  • the skills of building price estimating, cost planning and contract pricing techniques, within the economic context; and
  • a critical understanding of the concepts and practice of construction pricing matters.

  The module is taught by lectures and seminars, in which you'll take an active role; assessment is through two coursework assignments.

  
   
• Advanced Measurement

• Advanced Measurement

  This module aims to give you a working knowledge of:

  • the principal methods of measurement;
  • their application in commercial buildings; and
  • how to carry out building measurement competently.

  The module is taught by a series of lectures and seminars; assessment is by two coursework assignments.

  
   
• Research Journal in Context

• Research Journal in Context

  In this module you work in a group to produce a mock issue of a journal within your field of study.  This will:

  • introduce you to academic writing and criticism related to your field of study;
  • give you an exciting opportunity to study, within narrow boundaries, a subject of your own choosing; and
  • enable you to to engage in a peer review process and work together to submit a bound volume of papers.

  Assessment is by your own submission, your part in the peer review, and in finished volume.

  
   
• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects II

• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects II

  This module aims to further develop your knowledge and understanding of:

  • your future area of professional practice; and
  • in particular the importance and role of the quantity surveyor. 

  You will explore at first hand the experience of the quantity surveyor working within a built environment professional context.  This involves a series of guest lectures and seminars in preparation for a residential visit to a European city.

  The module is assessed by a group project report and an individual report, including a reflective analysis of your experience.

  
   

Year 3

• 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.

  
   
• Consultancy

• Consultancy

  This module builds on your existing knowledge and skills in relation to consultancy. You will:

  • develop a deeper understanding of both the width and depth of the consultancy market;
  • learn how to develop and implement a consultancy strategy;
  • learn how to innovate as part of their own and client's business development; and
  • develop their own skills awareness and development needs. 

  The module is taught by lectures, with workshops and group work an important component. Assessment is by coursework and examination.

  
   
• Business Economics

• Business Economics

  The module deepens and extends the knowledge that you have acquired in previous modules relating to business management and economics. It covers:

  • a range of current economic and business debates impacting on the operation of the construction and property industries – both in the UK and more widely;
  • aspects of financial resource management, company structures and governance issues – including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and ethics; and
  • the changing economic context in relation to matters such as new finance and the green agenda. 

  Through a series of lectures and case study work, we will encourage you to challenge the way in which the property and construction industries operate. Upon successful completion of the module, you should be able to make an informed and analytical contribution to the debate. 

  Assessment is by coursework and examination.

  
   
• Strategic Project Management

• Strategic Project Management

  In this module you explore the various theories and applications of strategic project management. You will:

  • develop skills to respond to management practice and technology;
  • become aware of risk and management theories using decision making tools; and
  • gain an understanding of the role of a project manager.

  Assessment is by coursework and examination.

  
   
• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects III

• Quantity Surveying Consultancy Projects III

  The module builds on your previous project experiences. You will further to develop your ability to undertake professional work and present it.  You will:

  • apply knowledge and skills learned in other modules to complex scenarios; and
  • demonstrate the ability to analyse and debate matters of topical and fundamental importance within the field of construction contracts. 

  We teach the module through a series of lectures, with tutorial sessions supporting your active project work. There is an emphasis on group work and presentation. In this way you learn how to become mutually supportive and independent learners. 

  Assessment is by project submission.

  
   
• Dissertation/ Critical Practice Project

• Dissertation/ Critical Practice Project

  Your dissertation consists of a double module and is an important element of the course. 

  It provides you with an opportunity to:

  • study in-depth a relevant topic which you find particularly stimulating;
  • undertake a substantial research project; and 
  • draw down on and demonstrate a competence in a variety of research methods appropriate to the topic. 

  A series of lectures in research methods and individual one-to-one supervision will support you.

  Assessment is by submission of an interim assessment and the completed dissertation.

  
   

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