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 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 2023 |
| Full time | 2 years including professional placement | 2 days a week plus placement year | September 2023 |
| Part time | 2 years | 1 day a week | September 2023 |
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is ideal if you are looking to further your building surveying qualification and gain entry into the construction industry.
- Your learning will reflect the developing sustainability agenda with which construction professionals must engage.
- You will have the opportunity to participate in a trip to a major national/international destination.
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 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.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
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. You may find securing a professional placement difficult as they are highly competitive and challenging, but they are also incredibly rewarding. It is very important to prepare and apply yourself if this is the route you wish to take. Employers look for great written and oral communication skills and an excellent CV/portfolio. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.
Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this course?
The course is taught by the Department of Civil Engineering, Construction and Surveying. Staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline.
Our programmes have been designed with your aspirations, needs and abilities in mind, and are aimed at developing your specialist skills, deepening your understanding and gaining new insights and perspectives to equip you for a professional career ahead.
Academic staff in the department are bonded in an interdisciplinary team of civil and structural engineers, material scientists, geologists, hydrologists, construction managers, building and quantity surveyors with professional practice and applied research backgrounds. Many of us are nationally and internationally recognised leaders in our areas of specialism and we are frequently invited to undertake high-profile external research and consultancy work.
Having developed our courses with the working world in mind, we offer hands-on student experiences such as testing in our exemplary laboratory facilities in structures, materials, concrete, geotechnics and hydraulics that are used for teaching and research. Knowledge is also gained from field trips for both undergraduates and postgraduates; site visits and industrial placements; employability support via our strong partnerships with industry, professional institutions and learned societies.
Our teaching is engaging and practice-focused and supported by site visits and invited guest lecturers by our industrial liaisons and strong alumni network. Our approach to assessment is project-driven and seeks to equip students with a range of competencies and transferrable skills thus boosting their employability prospects.
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.
After you graduate
Many of our students qualify as chartered surveyors. They work in organisations such as the Royal Palaces, housing associations and building surveying consultancy firms.
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 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)
- monitoring using remote sensing.
Changes from 1 August 2022
Up until 31 July 2022, this course was taught in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing. For students enrolling from September 2022, the course will be delivered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and the Environment. There will be no impact on the teaching or the award of the degree.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
