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Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
If you're considering a career as a quantity surveyor, this accredited degree provides you with the first step. It reflects the technical, economic, legal and managerial expertise required in this industry.
You'll gain a business perspective, understanding the construction industry and its relationship to the consultancy market. You'll graduate with a sound knowledge of the construction and development process and a range of financial and project management techniques.
Through an independent research project, you'll have the chance to study a topic of your choice in depth.
Kingston University was ranked joint fourth in the United Kingdom for graduate prospects for Building (Complete University Guide 2022).
| Qualification | Course | Attendance | UCAS code/apply | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons) | 3 years full time | K281 | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons) | 4 years full time including sandwich year | K240 | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons) | 5 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| Degree Apprenticeship | Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons) | 5 years part time | Contact the KU Apprenticeship Team | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
To enquire about the Degree Apprenticeship, contact the Kingston University Apprenticeship Team.
| Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is pending accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
- We're actively involved in Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and can help you in the process of qualifying as a chartered surveyor.
- You can choose a year's work placement, which will put invaluable experience on your CV and give your career a head start.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and pending accreditation by the Chartered Institution of Building (CIOB). See the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website and the Chartered Institution of Building (CIOB) website for further information.
Becoming a chartered surveyor
The most popular route is:
- complete a degree accredited by the RICS, such as this degree at Kingston University; and then
- successfully complete structured training, which ends in an assessment of your competence to practise (Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)).
We are actively involved in APC, including preparation courses, and several staff members are RICS assessors. This means that Kingston University can help you from the start of your undergraduate degree right through to your registration as a chartered surveyor.
What you will study
Year 1
Year 2
Final year
Year 1 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
Engineering Design and Professional Practice
30 credits
The principal aim of this module is to provide you with a flavour of what is involved in engineering design and to develop the good academic and professional practice needed to attain professional status. The module introduces the key aspects involved in: planning a project from start to finish, design processes incorporating a sustainability agenda, building an awareness of the interactions across various disciplines, regulatory frameworks and Health and Safety procedures. The module develops good academic and professional practice by developing skills in self-reflection and recording professional development. The basic principles of measurement and manufacturing processes in a workshop and testing environment are also addressed in the module.
Some elements of the module are delivered as part of the personal tutor scheme (PTS). This assists your transition into Higher Education encouraging a sense of belonging within the Faculty and within your discipline. The PTS helps you to develop good academic habits and initiates effective team working within a project management and engineering design framework, as well as developing interpersonal skills in order to enhance your employability.
Structures, Materials and Construction Methods
30 credits
The module introduces you to the fundamentals of structural analysis and mechanical behaviour of a broad range of construction engineering materials. Structural elements such as trusses under equilibrium are studied and the external and internal parameters, such as force, moment, stress and strain, are defined and calculated. You will gain knowledge of the analysis of structural components and theoretical and numerical skills that are necessary to design real world structures. Materials testing methods will be used to determine the deformations and failures of the various construction engineering materials. A selection of materials for construction engineering applications, such as concrete, timber, metal, ceramics, polymer and composites, will be studied including their carbon footprint and impact on the environment. The module further introduces construction methods and building elements/features (e.g. walls, roofs, finishes and services). You will learn to undertake detailing/drawing of building elements and communicate this effectively in technical reports.
Applied Mathematics and Computing Applications
30 credits
The aim of the module is to provide a background in mathematics and equip you with the mathematical and computing skills essential for solving construction related problems. The module also introduces the use of computing methods in construction engineering for problem solving, visualization and data representation including cost modelling and risk analysis. The mathematics part comprises algebra, trigonometry and statistics.
Construction Management and Site Investigation
30 credits
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of construction management and the analysis of various construction site types with reference to their ground conditions. In order to develop in you an appreciation of the importance of the construction industry, its role in the UK economy will be analysed along with contextual factors that regulate and influence its operation. The role of important players in the construction sector will be examined in the context of procurement and contractual arrangements. Students will develop knowledge of site set-up operations and management. Students will also be introduced to soil mechanics and be able to apply their understanding and knowledge of geotechnics in site surveys and investigations as well as analyse their impact on the construction of permanent structures on the site.
Year 2 examines more complex commercial structures. You'll be introduced to cost-planning technique and contract law. You'll study the pre/post-contract financial and contract administration duties of the quantity surveyor.
Core modules
Advanced Measurement
30 credits
This module builds on your understanding of the basic principles of measurement developed at Level 4 (Year 1). It focuses on the detailed quantification and costing of commercial buildings and engineering projects and aims to enable you to gain working knowledge of the principal methods of measurement and your application in such complex construction works. Upon completion you should be able to carry out building 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. Formal assessment comprises two practical exercises.
Commercial Construction Technology
30 credits
The module aims to extend your knowledge and skill in construction technology including 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.
Contract Administration
30 credits
This module aims to assist you to build on their understanding of the English legal system and law of contract developed at Level 4. You will gain deep and broad knowledge of standard contract forms used in the UK construction industry and the legal duties and responsibilities of the parties involved in construction contracts. The module further extends your critical knowledge and understanding of the contract administration and financial management duties of the quantity surveyor. Although there will be some lectures, the teaching and learning emphasis will be placed on the student developing their core knowledge and associated interpersonal skills through the use of scenarios and workshops.
Design Economics and Cost Planning
30 credits
This module builds on your understanding of economic principles developed at Level 4 and aims to apply these into the context of property and construction investment. You will develop the skills of building price estimating, cost planning and contract pricing. Emphasis will be placed on cost planning techniques based on elemental analysis and the relationship between building morphology and costs. Topics will also include value management, lifecycle costing and risk quantification. Upon completion you will be able to apply the concepts and practice of construction pricing in real-life scenarios. The module also introduces you to academic writing and criticism related to their field of study providing an opportunity for them to develop both their reflective research and plan making skills. The module is taught by lectures and seminars in which you will be expected to take an active role. Assessment is through a practical exercise and an individual coursework in which you will undertake a literature review in order to produce a mock issue of a journal on a subject relevant to the module.
Final year 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.
On this course, you'll also develop career-boosting skills such as:
- presenting yourself;
- working in teams;
- writing reports;
- debating current topics;
- using IT; and
- initiating and executing research projects.
Core modules
Consultancy
30 credits
This module integrates knowledge and skills you acquired in the complete suite of modules of this programme. It enables you 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 scenarios. You 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. You will be expected to think strategically, innovate and develop your own skills awareness and development needs. The module is delivered by keynote lectures and workshops.
Professional Practice in Context
30 credits
This module builds on the existing knowledge of the law and professional practice gained by students. It develops further the analytical and critical skills of students when encountering legal and professional practice problems. Knowledge of professional liability law is developed, together with other aspects of professional practice, ethical, legal and due diligence requirements. This module also ensures that students have developed a holistic understanding of sustainability as it applies to built environment professional practice.
Project Management
30 credits
This module aims to help you explore the principles and theories of project management applied in the context of construction. It introduces you to project management standards and documentation and reviews the project manager's role throughout the project lifecycle. The module places emphasis on project planning and control techniques. It further considers a range of soft skills project managers need to possess to lead and manage project teams effectively. The module is taught by a series of lectures and workshops and you will be expected to take an active part in applying to worked examples within the workshop format. Assessment is by coursework and an examination.
Individual Project
30 credits
The individual project is an opportunity to explore a subject of your 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 your degree. Additionally, this allows you to develop and practice your research skills that will be invaluable for the future. You 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 your ability to communicate clearly and succinctly orally, graphically and in writing. In undertaking the work you 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 you a series of workshops will be given along with individual one-to-one supervision to ensure that you are supported throughout the process. Assessment is by submission of an initial formative research statement and summative assessments comprise an interim report, an oral presentation and the completed project.
This module completes the undergraduate personal tutor scheme (PTS). The scheme assists you in your transition to level 6, supporting you in the achievement of your full academic potential. Furthermore the PTS encourages you to be proactive in planning your professional career and/or postgraduate study.
Future Skills
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.
Degree apprenticeships
Kingston University is an active member of the Civil Engineering Design Degree Apprenticeship Group, led and managed by Technical Apprenticeship Consortium. Currently this consortium includes a group of large multi-national consulting companies as well as contractors and local governmental bodies with a number of regional educational providers.
The prime function of this Consortium is to define a partnership model through which employers and universities can deliver successful apprenticeship degree programme which integrates Bachelor of Engineering (BEng).
Kingston University had a progression rate of 100% for the 2018/19 academic year!
Entry requirements
If you would like to join us through Clearing 2023, please call our Clearing hotline on 0800 0483 334 (or +44 020 8328 1149 if you are calling from outside the UK) and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable hotliners who will be able to provide information on available courses and will guide you through your options.
Please note the entry requirements listed below are for 2024 entry only.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods include lectures, simulated and live projects. There are debates and research work (in groups and individually), practicals and site and field trips.
Assessment methods include coursework, projects and exams.
Who teaches this course?
The course is taught at the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment. Faculty staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up to date education possible.
Staff will use their experience and professional networks to hone your skills and shape you into the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.
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 at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based.
The campus has grown around the original four-storey main building, which houses many of the important hubs of activity like the main student restaurant, the learning resources centre (LRC), and a host of teaching rooms and lecture theatres.
At the heart of the campus is the John Galsworthy building, a £20million teaching and learning facility. The six-storey complex brings together lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites around a landscaped courtyard.
The £9.8million Eadweard Muybridge building also provides spacious specialist laboratories and teaching spaces.
Find out more about the Penrhyn Road campus in the virtual tour.
Library
The Penrhyn Road library gives you access to a large collection of printed and electronic resources. There are drop-in PC areas, video and DVD facilities, satellite TV and a variety of study spaces zoned for different types of learning activity. The wireless network in the library means you can also work from your laptop or mobile device.
There's also a reading garden, which offers an oasis of calm when you want to get away from it all, plus a Learning Cafe where you can study over a cup of coffee and a snack. Help and information is on hand for students with disabilities or special learning needs.
Course fees and funding
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
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to begin your career as a quantity surveyor; a varied and challenging profession with good starting salaries and opportunities for progression and travel.
Student testimonies
Quantity surveying student Sam Mamphey has won an RICS award as one of six overall best performing students in London and the South East. This is what he wrote:
"Studying for my degree at Kingston University was a truly satisfying experience. I had got to a point in life when I needed a new challenge, and I felt it was time to invest in myself. I live locally and Kingston University was the obvious choice. I loved my course mainly because my lecturers were really engaging and passionate about their subjects. My hard work on the course was rewarded with a first-class honours degree, and an RICS award for outstanding work on my BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying course.
Although it is great to be recognised, this was only achieved through hard work. I would recommend Kingston University to anyone who is willing to make the effort to achieve success. I now work for Faithful+Gould as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor and am actively working to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor."
What our students say
Don't just take our word for it - here's what students say about what it's like to study at Kingston University.
Name: Vivienne Tang
Course: Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons)
Vivienne talks about her experiences of the Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc(Hons) and why she chose to study at Kingston:
What our graduates say
Links with business and industry
Our links with industry and professional bodies mean that your course reflects up-to-the-minute developments.
We make sure that you gain real experience of working for professional clients. Most surveying students undertake a year's work placement in industry, which contributes towards your professional training period.
Placement destinations have included:
- DTZ;
- Savills;
- Franklin and Andrews;
- Grosvenor Plc;
- Jones Lang LaSalle;
- Knight Frank;
- London Borough of Wandsworth;
- Montagu Evans;
- WS Atkins; and
- Lambert Smith Hampton.
You can also gain professional-style experience within the academic curriculum. You might take part in mock hearings and workshops, for example.
Other examples of our links with industry include:
- a pan-European business challenge - this competition for final-year real estate students involves working with peers from several different EU countries and travelling to places such as Warsaw, Bratislava, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Groningen.
private views of new developments in the City of London for first-year students - this is thanks to property management company CBRE. Executives from the company have also talked to students on issues such as letting, rents and services.
Recognition and accreditation
Becoming a chartered surveyor
To qualify as a chartered surveyor, you must:
- gain a RICS-approved academic qualification, such as a degree from Kingston University; and
- successfully complete structured training, which ends in an assessment of your competence to practice (APC).
We are actively involved in APC, including preparation courses, and several staff members are RICS assessors. This means that Kingston University can help you from the start of your undergraduate degree right through to your registration as a chartered surveyor.
RICS is the leading source of land, property, construction and related environmental knowledge. The organisation:
- supports 120,000 members worldwide;
- promotes best practice;
- represents consumers' interests; and
- provides impartial advice to society, businesses, governments and global organisations.
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.
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
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.
