Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship
Subject and course type
- Engineering: Civil, Construction and Surveying
- Degree Apprenticeship
Develop a wide range of skills while you work, with support from Kingston University tutors. You’ll typically have one day of study a week, while working in the industry.
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Lay the foundations for a career in quantity surveying
Build an exciting career as a quantity surveyor
On this degree apprenticeship you’ll develop a strong mix of theoretical, practical, academic, management and industrial-based skills. During the course you’ll gain:
- a business perspective of the construction industry.
- an understanding of the relationship between the construction industry and consultancy market.
- sound knowledge of the construction and development process.
- techniques in financial and project management.
For one day a week, you'll learn at university rather than your place of work. There will also be learning activities and opportunities to gain experience at your workplace.
We have designed the Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship to provide essential knowledge to a Chartered Surveyor Degree Standard. This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). We’re also applying to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
The course leads to a BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (Degree Apprenticeship) and a professional qualification through an End Point Assessment (EPA). An EPA is an impartial evaluation to determine whether you have developed the required skills, knowledge, and behaviours to complete your course.
Why choose this course
The Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship is based on Kingston University's long-standing accredited degree. This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
To ensure that you are always moving forward, we have developed this degree apprenticeship with input from leading employers. Together, we have mapped a path to the Level 6 Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship standard (ST0417).
Kingston University is actively involved in Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), meaning we can continue to support you in the process of qualifying as a chartered surveyor.
You will also benefit from high-quality teaching, reflected in our prestigious TEF Gold rating. In addition, we also provide a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus. You'll have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- extensive materials and structures facility for concrete, masonry, steel and timber.
- geotechnical and hydraulics testing facilities.
- surveying equipment, such as satellite global-positioning systems.
Our dedicated computer-aided design facilities include:
- a range of CAD/CAM packages, such as Ideas, SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
- finite element analysis.
- computational fluid dynamics.
- virtual instrumentation.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Course Content
As defined in 'English Apprenticeship: Our Vision 2020', published by the UK government in 2015, an apprenticeship is a job with a formal programme of training. This Degree Apprenticeship (DA) non-integrated programme is designed to provide the underpinning knowledge (K) identified by the approved apprenticeship standard (Chartered Surveyor Degree Standard Ref: ST0331).
For apprentices who wish to study Building Surveying to honours degree level (Level 6) through this five-year DA programme and aspire to achieve the professional status of Chartered Surveyor, their learning journey is set out so that they would gain the technical and theoretical knowledge up to the required level (Level 6).
The programme's content was also reviewed against the relevant DA standards ensuring that it delivers on set skills (S) and professional behaviours (B). This is captured by the mapping of the programme's modules to the sets of core/optional knowledge and skills as well as the set of professional behaviours. The academic delivery on the apprenticeship is offered through a 1-day a week release which will predominantly account for the required 20% off-the-job training.
Modules
On this programme, you will gain a good mix of theoretical, practical, academic, management and industrial-based skills.
Workshops for the programme
- RICS APC Essentials
- Library and Research Tools
- Ethics and Professional Practice Essentials
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- APC Portfolio Preparation
Level 4
Level 4 explores the legal, technical and economic context in which construction professionals work. There are modules in sustainable design and development and construction technology. These will prepare you for measurement - one of the core technical skills of a quantity surveyor.
Core modules
15 credits
You'll be introduced to the principles of measurement of construction work. You'll focus on the detailed quantification of simple buildings in order to gain an understating of industry rules and conventions for measuring construction work and their application.
Upon completion, you should be able to competently measure the building envelope of simple residential buildings.
15 credits
Apprentices are introduced to their course learning aims and consider their anticipated learning targets from induction to graduation. Apprentices are guided to identify and take ownership of their apprenticeship journey through the development and application of academic and occupational skills aligned to KU Graduate Attributes, discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes and the relevant IfATE Standard KSBs (ST0331, ST0417, and ST0778).
Apprentices are tutored in a range of learning to learn techniques and are introduced to assessment for learning and the role of feedback, reflection and feedforward as an integrated part of their learning journey. This will be supported through active engagement in the KU Navigate Programme enabling apprentices to understand and begin to develop a design-thinking approach to Future Skills development.
30 credits
This is a core technology module where you will explore alternative construction materials and technologies used for low-rise built facilities. You will learn about the impact of construction methods and materials on important issues, including building regulations, health, safety and welfare regulations, sustainability and the environment.
By the end of the module, you should have developed a fundamental knowledge of building types, and be able to interpret drawings, produce sketches and appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction materials and service solutions.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the national and international construction industry. You'll learn about its structure, key stakeholders, and societal impact. The importance of the construction industry will be analysed along with contextual factors that regulate and influence its operation. The role of important players in the construction sector will also be examined.
You will be introduced to basic economic theory and its application to the industry as well as the fundamentals of the management of organisations. Professional ethics and rules of conduct and other closely related competencies will also be considered in this module.
The module will be delivered in a series of lectures and small group sessions including seminars, tutorials, and workshop sessions. You will be assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams.
15 credits
This module will give you an overview of the modern English legal system, with a specific focus on key legislative and regulatory frameworks. It covers essential aspects of contract law and introduces elements of tort law relevant to the construction industry.
Additionally, you will explore regulations and statutory acts that are applicable in the UK construction sector. You will learn to employ appropriate legal methodologies to address scenario-based legal problems.
15 credits
This module explores insights into human resource management and organisational behaviour to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to managing employees and organisations in the built environment.
Insights from this module support your appreciation of socioeconomic and other cultural characteristics of construction organisations. These could include recruitment and selection, leadership, employee motivation, team dynamics, and organisational cultural shifts.
Level 5
Students will examine more complex commercial structures and will be introduced to cost-planning techniques and contract law. You'll study the pre/post-contract financial and contract administration duties of the quantity surveyor. Moreover, you'll learn digitization in construction (i.e., using REVIT and BIM related software), construction technology including its environmental services.
Core modules
15 credits
This module provides insights into the construction of commercial and other buildings. The module will extend your knowledge and skills in construction technology and services, from the basic types of construction to framed and more complex commercial structures.
By the end of the module, you should have developed a critical knowledge of building types, be able to interpret drawings, produce sketches and appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction materials and services solutions.
15 credits
This module introduces you to procurement strategies for executing construction projects and the intricacies of contract administration. The course identifies the various procurement routes for different project circumstances. The module further extends your critical knowledge and understanding of the contract administration and financial management duties of the project manager.
Although there will be lectures, the teaching and learning emphasis will focus on developing your core knowledge and interpersonal skills using scenarios, workshops and a day field trip to an ongoing project in a major city in England. This will help increase your problem-solving competencies and communication skills development. The module will be assessed by coursework.
15 credits
The module provides an in-depth understanding of digital technologies and construction-related information modelling in the built environment context. You will learn how digital construction has revolutionised the construction industry and how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its closely related digital technologies are used as tools for the realisation of the Construction Industry 4.0.
The course covers various aspects of digital design, construction, and operation and maintenance, including the knowledge and use of tools related to BIM, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and geographic information system. You will learn about BIM software, collaboration techniques and project delivery methods.
You will also develop digital skills and knowledge such as data management, quantification, project team collaboration and cost analysis.
15 credits
This is a core module for all Level 5 students on engineering programmes. Students will demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional in their subject area. This module will scaffold Future Skills from Level 4 Navigate to Level 6 Apply.
This module considers the principles and practices for the design and management of engineering projects. The nature of engineering project management is discussed in the context of constraints on quality, time, risk, and sustainability. The module broadens the student's knowledge of how organisations undertake and monitor projects.
The module is skills-rich, including the development of team-working, interpersonal and interdisciplinary skills, critical self-reflection, communication and presentation, time management, and the ability to organise, strategise and prioritise.
A key element of this module will be the participation in an inter-disciplinary design thinking project. Students will contextualise their subject-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours as an interdisciplinary team member charged with developing a solution to a designated sustainability challenge. The teamwork project enables students to demonstrate their ability to explore and contextualise their subject specific knowledge and helps prepare them for their individual project in Level 6.
30 credits
This module builds on students' understanding of the basic principles of measurement developed at Level 4. It focuses on the detailed quantification and costing of complex buildings and engineering projects and aims to enable students to gain working knowledge of the principal methods of measurement and their application in such complex construction works. Upon completion students should be able to carry out building and civil engineering works measurement competently.
The module is taught by a series of lectures. These will be supported by workshops and tutorials during which students will be expected to take an active part by applying to worked examples as formative work.
Measurement and costing of construction work are core skills of the quantity surveyor that underpin the procurement and cost management of construction projects. This module will develop students' competence in this subject area which is vital to quantity surveying practice.
30 credits
This module builds on the students' understanding of economic principles developed at Level 4 and aims to apply these into the context of property and construction investment. Students will develop cost management techniques and skills used during design development of capital and building maintenance work. Emphasis will be placed on order of cost estimating; cost planning techniques based on elemental analysis; and the relationship between building morphology and costs.
Topics will also include development appraisal, value management, life cycle costing, risk quantification, cost data management, cost reporting, and benchmarking. Upon completion, students will be able to apply the concepts and practice of construction cost management in real-life scenarios.
The module is taught by lectures and seminars in which students will be expected to take an active role.
The ability to provide clients and other members of the design team with accurate estimates and reliable cost advice at various stages of design development is a core competence of quantity surveyors. Vital decisions made at this stage of project development are based on these estimates and cost advice. This module will develop in students the competence required for quantity surveying practice in this subject area.
Level 6
Level 6 has modules in consultancy and project management. These cover the consultant-client relationship, organisational change management, project control and project team leadership. The course culminates in a major group project, along with an independent research project. You'll have the chance to study, in depth, a relevant topic of your choice.
Core modules
15 credits
This module introduces you to project management processes and tools and provides an overview of the project manager's role and function at different stages of the project life cycle.
Standards of professional and ethical conduct will be explored. You'll consider the appraisal of options leading to the developing of a business case and feasibility report as well as pre-construction planning and site establishment.
You will attend a series of lectures and practical sessions and are expected to take an active role by applying your knowledge to practical scenarios. The module is assessed by a client report.
15 credits
This is a core module taken by Building Surveying, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying students at Level 6. The module provides an in-depth understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Construction Information Management System (CIMS) in the construction industry.
It covers various topics related to BIM and CIMS, including their application, benefits, challenges and future developments. The module will begin by recapping the fundamental concepts of BIM and CIMS, including the evolution of BIM and its importance in the construction industry. It will then delve into the different stages of BIM and CIMS, including modelling, collaboration, documentation, and analysis.
The module will cover various software tools that are commonly used in BIM and CIMS, such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks and BIM 360. This module is to enable the students to apply and evaluate the key principles of BIM with the students undertaking a collaborative interdisciplinary project to apply and develop their skills in a scenario-based group project.
Finally, the course will discuss the future trends and developments in BIM and CIMS, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Virtual Reality (VR) in construction.
15 credits
This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal aspects related to construction projects. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal framework governing the construction industry, particularly in contract administration and management.
This module enhances your analytical and critical thinking abilities when confronted with legal and professional practice challenges. It promotes a holistic comprehension of sustainability in the context of the built environment and provides an in-depth examination of construction disputes and the commonly employed methods of dispute resolution.
You will acquire practical techniques for effective time management, develop proficiency in locating, interpreting, using and referencing legal sources, and cultivate essential attributes valued by the construction industry, including collaboration, team building, critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, initiative and creativity.
30 credits
This module integrates knowledge and skills students acquired in the complete suite of modules of this programme. It enables students to develop a deeper understanding of cross subject synergies. The module provides the framework for advanced practical applications of quantity surveying knowledge and skills into consultancy practice and scenarios.
Students will learn how to develop and implement a consultancy strategy and provide reasoned advice and complete solutions to clients on a wide range of issues. They will be expected to think strategically and develop their own skills awareness for developmental project needs.
The module includes a capstone project which builds on work undertaken by students during a field trip. The module is delivered by keynote lectures and workshops.
15 credits
The module will provide an opportunity for the apprentices to consider and prepare for their End Point Assessment. The apprentices will be guided to understand key themes associated with their End Point Assessment Portfolio, and to undertake a case study exercise which highlights their developing competencies against their relevant IfATE Standard KSBs (ST0331, ST0417 and ST0778), such that on conclusion of this module, they are fully prepared to gather together evidence and collate this towards their portfolio submission at Gateway.
The apprentices will develop a suite of technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment, building on skills developed at Levels 4 and 5. Apprentices will participate in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition where they will develop and present a business idea of their choice, in-so-doing developing competence and confidence in delivering their work-based project presentations which are integral to their End Point Assessments. Apprentices will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the university and reflect on these interactions.
30 credits
This is a core module for Level 6 BSc students. The individual project is an opportunity to explore a subject of the student's own choice and to initiate, design and execute a small-scale research project under supervision.
The work in the project will draw upon material from all modules previously or currently taught and provide a culmination to their degree. Additionally, this allows the students to develop and practice their research skills which will be invaluable for the future.
The students are encouraged to work independently, study a topic in depth, review previous work, collect, and interpret and analyse information. This is also intended to develop students' ability to communicate clearly and succinctly orally, graphically and in writing.
In undertaking the work, students should demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing literature and in using one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions. To support the student a series of workshops will be given along with individual one-to-one supervision to ensure the student is supported throughout the process.
Assessment is by submission of an initial formative research statement, and summative assessments comprise an interim report and the completed project.
Future Skills and career opportunities
The Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship is an ideal first step towards a rewarding career as a quantity surveyor. The programme provides you with the technical, economic, legal and managerial expertise to meet professional standards and excel in your chosen role.
There are a wide variety of career paths to follow upon completing this course, including:
- Building surveyor
- Commercial/residential surveyor
- Construction manager
- Planning and development surveyor
- Project manager
- Quantity surveyor
- Site engineer
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.

Teaching and assessment
The academic delivery on this apprenticeship is offered through a 1-day a week release which will predominantly account for the required 20% off-the-job training. It designed for those taking up building surveying-related apprenticeship employment with their employers. 30 credits at Level 6 will be delivered via a work-based learning module.
The remaining 330 credits will be taught via an intensive one-day a week education programme at Kingston University for each of the five years of the programme. The degree apprenticeship programme has been designed for those wishing to undertake a challenging programme which will enable them to study in depth many aspects of building surveying.
It is also designed so that the academic team working in partnership with the employer ensure that, in addition to the relevant practical experience gained through the job itself, a specific on-the-job training takes place to develop the technical and professional skills and behaviours much more fully and in line with standards. This is captured by a Stakeholder Commitments Matrix.
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
Activity | Hours |
Personal development workshops | 106 |
Lectures | 346 |
Tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals | 450 |
Laboratory (including computer laboratory) | 40 |
Field work and site visits | 76 |
Summative assessments | 480 |
Work-based learning (approx.) | 54 |
Workplace mentor meetings | 148 |
Engagement in professional bodies led event | 120 |
Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this programme is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Type of assessment:
- Coursework: 85%
- Exams: 15%
Based on the Education and Skills Funding Agency funding rules your on-the-job training will also be assessed to ensure that it meets the requirements of the apprenticeship standard. You will also need to successfully complete an End-Point Assessment.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to learners within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 10 learners and lecture sizes are normally 10-105. However this can vary by module and academic year.
End-Point Assessment
Each apprentice on an approved Apprenticeship Standard is required to take an End-Point Assessment (EPA) to complete the programme. The EPA is delivered by an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that is registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The EPA is either integrated as part of the apprenticeship or completed after the course element. If an apprentice is completing the EPA after the course element, they must ensure they have successfully completed their learning, achieved the gateway requirements and finished uploading their evidence prior to taking the EPA.
Fees and funding
This degree apprenticeship programme is funded through the Government's Apprenticeship Levy within the approved funding band.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Next steps
Employees
If you are currently employed full time and would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please ask your employer to contact the Kingston University apprenticeship team.
Employers
If you are an employer interested in how apprenticeships can support your organisation and employees, please contact the apprenticeship team for further details.
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. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.