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Quantity Surveying 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, giving you understanding of 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).
This course was previously known as Quantity Surveying Consultancy BSc (Hons).
| Qualification | Course | Attendance | UCAS code/apply | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) | 3 years full time | K281 | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) | 4 years full time | K240 | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| BSc (Hons) | Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) | 5 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
| Degree Apprenticeship | Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) | 5 years part time | Apply direct to the University | 2023 (Clearing) 2024 |
To enquire about the Degree Apprenticeship, contact the Kingston University Apprenticeship Team.
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
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
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.
In the first year, students will be introduced to Navigate (a Future Skills module which aimed to assist students in making the transition to Higher Education, develop strong foundations of self-awareness, self-motivation and generate a sense of belonging to their course and Kingston University), sustainability, climate literacy, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Core modules
Navigate for Professional Engineers
15 credits
Students are introduced to their course learning aims and anticipated learning targets from induction to graduation. Students are guided to identify and take ownership of their personal academic journey through the development and application of academic skills aligned to KU Graduate Attributes and their discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes.
Introduction to Quantification of Construction Works
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.
Introduction to Construction Technology
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.
Principles of Surveying Practice in Context
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.
Introduction to Law and Regulatory Context
15 credits
This module 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.
People and Organisation Management
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.
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
Construction Technology and Environmental Services
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.
Procurement and Contract Administration
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.
Digital Technologies and Construction Modelling
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.
Exploring Engineering Project Management
15 credits
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 your knowledge of how organisations undertake and monitor projects.
Advanced Quantification of Construction Works
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.
Design Economics and Cost Planning
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.
Final year students will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the University and reflect on these interactions through Applied (a Future Skills module) where students will demonstrate the ability to apply their developing professional skills competencies in their chosen area, and prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.
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.
Core modules
Applied Business Management
15 credits
You will demonstrate the ability to apply your professional skills in your chosen area, and gain a broad understanding of the business environment in which professional activities are undertaken. The module will develop the technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment, and prepare you for employment and entrepreneurship.
You will participate in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition where you will work as a team to develop a business idea. To do this you will need to interact with relevant stakeholders outside the University.
You will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the University and reflect on these interactions. This may include participation in co-curricular events such as subject-specific and career development events, and networking opportunities offered by subject-specific professional bodies. You'll leverage interactions with professionals in the development of your final year research project, and reflect on the co-benefits of these interactions.
Project Management
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.
Construction Information Management Systems
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.
Construction Law and Contract Practice
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, utilising 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.
Professional Quantity Surveying Practice (Consultancy)
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.
Individual Project
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
Knowledge to give you the edge
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
The Quantity Surveying (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship programme provides a strong platform for pursuing and achieving a varied and interesting career in Quantity Surveyor and incorporates recent developments in industry and education as well as the curriculum and teaching principles from research and academic.
Typically, you'll spend one day a week at university rather than your place of employment. There will also be learning activities and training at your workplace.
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.
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.
