Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) in Building Surveying offers a comprehensive education in building surveying principles, developing expertise in construction technology, project management, law, and sustainability. Accredited by RICS, the program prepares students for careers as building surveyors, quantity surveyors, or property managers, providing a foundation for further professional development and chartered status.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program is designed for individuals seeking a career in building surveying or those who are already established professionals looking to enhance their skills. It is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and developed in collaboration with industry professionals. The program emphasizes a strong core of technology, sustainable construction, property law, and business management.
Objectives:
The program aims to:
- Develop skills and expertise in construction technology, project management, law, economics, asset management, and inspection, repair, and maintenance.
- Equip students with the knowledge and abilities to confidently work within the building surveying industry.
- Prepare students for a career in building surveying, allowing them to enter postgraduate studies and the profession at graduate surveyor level.
Outline:
The program is structured as follows:
Full-time:
3 years (with an optional placement year in the third year)
Part-time:
5 years
Sandwich:
4 years
Course Content:
The program covers a broad range of topics, including:
Year 1:
- Building services and environmental science: Focuses on building services and environmental performance, covering acoustics, heat and moisture transfer, lighting, ventilation, and air conditioning design.
- Building survey and inspection: Covers the principles and application of surveying in the construction industry, including traditional and modern surveying technology, horizontal/vertical control, and basic setting out techniques.
- Construction technology and materials: Introduces building materials and building technology.
- Construction technology and structures: Covers building technology associated with larger, more complex buildings, and the fundamentals of structural analysis.
- Legal and economic context: Introduces UK law, construction contract law, tort and restitution law, health and safety regulations, micro and macro economics, and economic theory.
- Construction practice: Provides an understanding of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies, and education, and prepares students for employment in the construction discipline.
Year 2:
- Construction contract law: Examines various types of construction contracts, including standard construction contracts, and the legal and administrative procedures governing them.
- Estate and property asset management: Provides a practical insight into managing property, covering the roles and responsibilities of landlords and tenants, and financial calculations informing property management decisions.
- Planning and development controls: Examines the structure and role of development controls within the development process, including planning policy and building regulations.
- Property inspection, repair and maintenance: Focuses on techniques used in undertaking surveys on commercial and large residential properties, developing planned maintenance programs, and reviewing financial controls.
- Theory of architecture, design and conservation: Reviews key aspects of architecture theory, modern design, and conservation through British case studies.
- Sustainable construction and the environment: Examines the impact of energy and environmental factors on buildings, their use, and their occupants.
Year 3 (Optional Placement Year):
- Students can choose to take an optional year in industry.
Year 4:
- Research paper: Students undertake an independent research project, culminating in a dissertation of 6,000-10,000 words.
- Project management: Introduces the theory and practical application of project management in the construction industry.
- Management of the firm: Covers entrepreneurship, setting up a business, forms of ownership, management, marketing, financial accounts, and risk management.
- Contract administration: Provides knowledge for executing contractual duties in contracting and development companies, consultancy practice, public service, and private corporations.
- European construction and property: Takes an international perspective on the built environment, focusing on current developments in Europe's property and construction economic sectors. Includes a field trip to a major European city.
- Property law and valuation: Introduces the principles of law and valuation relevant to surveyors working in the construction and property industries.
Assessment:
- The program utilizes a combination of coursework and exams.
- The overall assessment breakdown is 68% coursework and 32% exams.
- Specific assessment methods for each module are outlined in the course description.
Teaching:
- Lecturers are leading practitioners in their fields, ensuring industry relevance.
- Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, and self-directed study.
- Guest speakers from renowned arts organizations and theatre companies provide industry insight and networking opportunities.
- Students are assigned a personal tutor for academic and professional development support.
Careers:
- The program prepares students for a variety of careers in the building surveying industry, including:
- Building surveyor
- Quantity surveyor
- Property manager
- Graduates often enter the industry as trainees with quantity surveying/construction firms and organizations in the UK and abroad.
- The program provides a foundation for progressing to chartered status through RICS-approved APC training.
Other:
- The program has a strong emphasis on practical application and industry relevance.
UK Fees
£9250
Fees
£14900 Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases.
Part-time
year 1
UK fee: £5550 International fee: £8940
year 2
UK fee: £5550 International fee: £8940
year 3
UK fee: £5550 International fee: £8940
year 4
UK fee: £5550 International fee: £8940
year 5
UK fee: £5550 International fee: £8940
Full-time
year 1
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £14900
year 2
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £14900
year 3
UK fee: £0 International fee: £0
year 4
UK fee: £9250 International fee: £14900
