Building Surveying MSc
Why choose this course?
This course focuses on the skills of the building surveyor operating within the construction industry. It centres on the requirements of the UK-based building surveying professional, as identified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It also offers European and global perspectives appropriate to the requirements of international consultancies.
You will develop professional skills and examine the multidisciplinary requirements specific to building surveying (such as building information modelling).
You will gain knowledge of building materials, construction technology and pathology, legal and regulatory issues (such as party wall issues), the design of simple structures and the preparation of schemes for the rehabilitation of buildings.
| Mode | Duration | Attendance | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 1 year | 2 days a week | September 2022 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | 2 days a week plus placement year | September 2022 |
| Part time | 2 years | 1 day a week | September 2022 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
2021/22 entry
If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2021/22 (i.e. between August 2021 and July 2022), please view the information about changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19.
Continuing students
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2021/22 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2021/22. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas Course page.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is ideal if you want to convert your existing undergraduate degree into a building surveying qualification and gain entry into the construction industry.
- You will have the opportunity to participate in a week-long field trip to a national/international location.
- Your learning will reflect the developing sustainability agenda with which construction professionals must engage.
Accreditation
This course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Many of our graduates go on to qualify as Chartered Surveyors.
What you will study
You will gain knowledge of building materials, construction technology and pathology; specialist legal and regulatory issues (such as party wall issues); the design of simple structures; and the preparation of schemes for the rehabilitation of buildings. The course focuses on the core competencies of the building surveyor operating within the construction industry. It takes into account the developing sustainability agenda with which construction professionals must increasingly engage, together with multidisciplinary requirements specific to building surveying (such as building information modelling). While centred around the discipline requirements necessary for the UK-based building surveying professional (as identified by the RICS), the course also contains European and global perspectives
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.
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module first time with no reassessments. It is the responsibility of individual students to find a suitable paid placement. Students will be supported by our dedicated placement team in securing this opportunity.
Modules
Core modules
Building Appraisal Maintenance and Renewal
30 credits
The module aims to enable students to develop a deep understanding of building defects and pathology and to develop their ability to recognise the causes of obsolescence and dilapidations in buildings. Students will consider the different types of decay which affect building materials and looks at approaches to building management and options for effective maintenance. The module will also consider different approaches to building re-use and renewal and to carbon reduction technologies which can be incorporated into a variety of building types. The module incorporates a European Field Trip, an essential part of which is to consider the built environment in a wider context and differing approaches to building maintenance and renewal.
The module is taught by a series of lectures and tutorials and students will be expected to take an active part in classes where they will apply worked examples within the tutorial format. Assessment will comprise two individual and one group courseworks.
Law and Practice for the Built Environment
30 credits
The module aims to enable students to develop deep understanding and critical knowledge of the development process and the roles of key parties in procurement and contractual arrangements as they apply primarily in the UK construction industry. Within this context students will develop a critical knowledge of the Statutes and Regulatory frameworks which apply to UK property in terms of design, defects, development and heritage. Students will develop the ability to apply their knowledge to worked examples identifying the most appropriate building and procurement solution to suit the client's needs. In addition, students will gain deep and broad knowledge of standard contract forms used in the UK and the legal duties and responsibilities of the parties involved in construction contracts. Upon completion of the module, students will also have critical knowledge and understanding of the pre/post-contract administration duties and practices of the building surveyor. The module is taught by a series of lectures and tutorials and students will be expected to take an active part in classes, and apply worked examples within the tutorial format. Assessment will comprise two courseworks and a written examination.
Sustainable Construction: Technology and Practice
30 credits
This module aims to enable students to gain an in-depth working knowledge of commercial construction technology and to explore theories and applications of project management principles to the construction of process. The subjects will explore the regulatory and procedural matters relating to sustainable construction of low and high rise buildings together with and understanding of project management methodologies, frameworks taking due account of risk and value management considerations. In particular the module introduces students to the role of sustainability considerations in building design and building use thereby enabling them to identify and formulate appropriate strategies and procedures for the use of sustainable construction technologies. Delivery is by a series of lectures, seminars and workshops. The module is assessed by two courseworks and a written examination.
Specification: Design and Analysis
30 credits
This module aims to develop the students' working knowledge of materials and their capacity to produce appropriate specification of works accordingly. In addition the module enables students to understand the principles of Building Information Modelling (current Revit version) and allows them to gain proficiency in its use such that they will be prepared for entry into work as a trainee building surveyor. Students will also gain an understanding of structures and the structural behaviour and properties of building materials. The module will also consider the practical implications on buildability of specifying materials and will also cover CDM (Construction Design and Management) and statutory approvals. Assessment will comprise two practically - orientated courseworks and a written examination.
Research Principles and Application
30 credits
This module aims to provide you with a sound grounding in research principles and methodologies that are commonly applied within the built environment. Throughout a series of lectures and seminars, supported by tutorials you are encouraged and enabled to develop their critical reasoning powers and to gain practice in researching ideas and knowledge and in the design of relevant research instruments.
Research Project/dissertation
30 credits
This final module provides you with the opportunity to design and execute an original research ‘capstone' project related to your own discipline specific interests, which synthesises their learning. You will develop a theoretically informed body of work that integrates both theory and practice. It may take the form of a dissertation, practice project, or experiment-based project. Following submission you will present your findings at a Masters Students Event.
Dissertation
60 credits
The overall aim of the module is to allow you to develop research skills and gain an appreciation of a subject area of the your own choosing. In undertaking the work that is required you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing existing published literature and data and through the use of your own efforts apply one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions as a result of your research.
The module allows you to study an area of interest in significant depth and allows you to demonstrate a clear understanding of what has been learnt through a variety of means; a literature review, a research proposal, an oral presentation and a substantial dissertation.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Work placement scheme
Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to take the option of a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Tier 4 visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
This course is delivered by the Department of Construction and Surveying which is part of the School of Natural and Built Environments in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing.
The Faculty's wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses covers a diverse range of subject areas, from aerospace to geography; from maths and computing to biotechnology; and many more. Our collaborative set-up provides new opportunities for our students, and we design our courses with industry professionals to ensure you stay up to date with the latest developments.
Department of Construction and Surveying
The Department of Construction and Surveying offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in building surveying, construction management and quantity surveying focusing on providing a strong foundation for students' future careers and an enhanced learning experience. We have built a reputation for the quality of our courses and have successfully embedded the concept of sustainable development in all of our degree courses.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
Facilities
There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest technology and industry-standard equipment, including:
- extensive materials and structures facility for concrete, masonry, steel and timber;
- geotechnical and hydraulics testing facilities; and
- surveying equipment, such as satellite global-positioning systems.
Dedicated computer-aided design facilities include:
- a range of CAD/CAM packages, such as Ideas, SolidWorks and AutoCad;
- finite element analysis
- computational fluid dynamics; and
- virtual instrumentation.
Fees for this course
Additional costs
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.
After you graduate
Where this course will take you
Entry into the RICS is a route often taken by our graduates when they can satisfy the entry requirements thus they become chartered building surveyors.
The building surveyor is often referred to as a "Building Doctor" as the chartered building surveyor is often the first person called in should a building develop a fault or defect.
This valuable work can span from why damp is becoming apparent to cracks appearing, the building surveyor will seek the cause of the problem, suggest a remedy and often supervise the subsequent on site work needed to achieve a cure.
We have graduates working in positions as diverse as the Royal Palaces, housing associations as well as building surveying consultancy firms.
What our students say
Lucy talks about her experiences of the Building Surveying MSc and why she chose to study here.
How we can support you
We will allocate you a personal tutor on your arrival at Kingston University. Your tutor will make sure you receive appropriate advice regarding your academic development. During your project, you receive extra support from a project supervisor, who will provide advice and feedback.
You will also be able to use the University's Careers Service and counselling service.
Research areas
Many academic staff are engaged in a range of research and consultancy activities funded by the Research Councils, the European Union, the government, trade unions and industry. These activities ensure our staff are in touch with the latest industry thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Research centres
Engineering research within the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing is organised into three research centres, which provide focus and encourage the cross-fertilisation of ideas.
Civil engineering and construction research takes place in the Sustainable Technology Research Centre. The research groups within the centre cover a wide range of topics, including:
- land use;
- building design and construction;
- re-cycling waste materials;
- efficient energy use and distribution;
- water resources (hydraulics); and
- monitoring using remote sensing.
