Why choose this course?
If you are interested in the various aspects, uses, practicalities and history of building techniques, styles and materials, then this is the course for you. It develops the skills needed to become the equivalent of a 'building doctor'- able to diagnose, investigate, analyse and test all aspects of building performance.
The course offers:
- a professional route to becoming a chartered surveyor
- a very practical, hands-on approach to learning
- lots of site visits and industry input
- opportunity for a mentor from industry
- live briefs, set by real companies
- optional international field trip
- potential for a one-year work placement.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
International field trip
During the course you will get the opportunity to go on an international field trip.
- Opportunity to meet and learn from practitioners
- Work on live projects in new and different cultures
- Develop your employability
Student profiles
Read profiles from current students and recent graduates and see pictures of recent trips.
Visit our facebook channel to find out about the latest activity in the School.
What do employers say about our students?
"The year in industry is very beneficial for the student and for the employer. For the student, the experience and market exposure in the right company is the perfect start to a career in the surveying profession."
Graham Fawcett, Associate Director, Churston Heard
Read more employer testimonials.
Open days
Find out more about this course at an open day.
Our open days are designed help you find out about our courses and the University. You'll meet our lecturers and current students, and get to see some of the fantastic facilities we have. You can visit with friends, or bring your parents or guardians along with you. Find out the dates of our next open day.
Any questions?
Course enquiries:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
Admissions enquiries:
AskNTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
Please note the following information for applicants
Course focus
You will develop an detailed understanding of architectural styles and influences, the history of buildings and building techniques, the evaluation of building elements and the performance of building materials.
You will learn to diagnose, investigate, analyse and test all aspects of building performance. In addition, you will develop the ability to assess alternative uses of existing buildings and to identify and supervise remediation and refurbishment projects and to apply health and safety legislation.
You will be gain detailed specialist knowledge and skills in areas including:
- building construction, conservation and restoration
- building design
- building pathology
- contract administration
- sustainability
- construction technology.
You will gain core surveying competencies in areas such as:
- business planning
- client care
- negotiation
- project management.
You will also develop skills such as communication, research, self-management, and problem solving.
Course content
The modules in Year One are shared with our three other property and surveying courses. This enables you to develop a multi-disciplinary perspective and also has the benefit of flexibility, with the ability to switch to any of the other property and surveying courses at the start of your second year. Throughout the course you will cover the following modules:
Year One: An Introduction to Skills for Practice
- Surveying Skills
- Professional Academic and Business Skills
- Economics and Valuation
- Law
- Construction
- Planning and Land Use
Year Two: Development of Practice
- Contract Administration
- Building Design Project
- Building Surveying Practice
- Property Development: Principles and Practice
- Employability and Commercial Awareness
Year Three
This is your optional work placement year.
Year Four: Application and Analysis
- Heritage and Conservation
- Building Surveying Practice Two
- Building Pathology
- Built Environment Research
How do you study?
This course is modular and teaching is delivered through:
- lectures
- tutorials
- workshops
- seminar groups
- site visits and field trips, including an optional international trip
- individual and group project work
- computer sessions
- experiments in laboratories.
Coursework projects and field trips undertaken in the first and second years will develop effective communication, analysis and problem solving skills. You are encouraged to actively engage in and take responsibility for your own learning.
The delivery of the course is enhanced by:
- the incorporation of guest lectures delivered by external practitioner experts
- use of case studies and projects (some set by real companies)
- field trips.
During your studies you will have the opportunity to familiarise yourself with, and utilise industry-standard software including:
- digital mapping
- AutoCAD
- property and environmental risk information
- industry-standard information systems and databases.
The third year work placement year is spent in working in industry, gaining relevant and valuable work experience. A dedicated placement office assists you in finding, and supporting you during your placement.
This placement contributes as one of the two years required for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
Assessment
You will be assessed through a mixture of coursework, continuous assessment, examinations and a final year research project.
Study options:
- three years full-time
- four years with a work placement in year three.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), leading to Chartered Surveyor status.
Student profiles
Find out what current students and recent graduates say about this course on our student profiles page.
Newly refurbished buildings
During the spring of 2010 our newly refurbished Newton and Arkwright buildings reopened after an extensive regeneration project.
These impressive Grade II* listed buildings, designed by Hopkins, have undergone a multi-million pound transformation and now provide beautiful, light studio space, dedicated CAD rooms, a brand new Student Services Centre, modern lecture theatres and seminar rooms, and a range of social spaces.
Find out more about what's happening on the Building Surveying course and our other Property courses on the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment website.
Nearly 94% of our graduates* with first degrees from full-time study are employed or engaged in further study six months after leaving.
Professional career
Completing this degree will start you on the path to a professional career in the dynamic and varied planning, property and surveying industries and professions. There are many types of employers that you may work for as a building surveyor including:
- national, regional and international real estate consultancies
- construction cost management consultants
- local authorities
- hospitals and other public sector organisations
- building and engineering contractors
- property departments of national and international companies
- global property development companies.
International opportunities
A career in building surveying is diverse and exciting within a dynamic and global profession. There are opportunities to work with international clients or in international markets and to immerse yourself in different and varied cultures.
Getting your full RICS membership
If you aspire to become a RICS Chartered Surveyor you will need to complete two years of relevant professional work experience - the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This course is designed to prepare you for future employment in a number of the RICS APC Pathways, which could include:
- Building Control
- Building Surveying
- Environment
If you undertake a sandwich placement; this will normally count as the first year of your professional work experience (only for RICS).
NTU graduates
The profession offers a diverse range of interesting and exciting work, and professionals within this area have the opportunity to secure employment which is well remunerated. High-flyers are able to quickly rise to senior and very well paid leadership positions within the property and surveying profession. Many previous NTU students have done just that and can be found in prominent positions in a diverse range of property organisations throughout the world.
* of those available for work, HESA survey 2009 / 10
NTU is in the top two in the UK for the number of Building and Planning students taking year-long placements. (HESA data 2010 / 11)
BSc (Hons) Building Surveying students have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (minimum of 36 weeks in one or more organisations). This will give you real, hands-on experience within the industry, opening up exciting opportunities for future employment.
This placement can contribute as one of the two years required for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
Visit the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment website to find out where recent students have completed their placements.
Placement office
The School has a dedicated placement office who will assist you in finding a placement and guide you along the way providing everything you need to know before, during and afterwards.
Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual’s efforts and is not guaranteed.
Entry requirements
- A minimum of 280 UCAS tariff points achieved from at least two full A-levels or equivalent qualification
- GCSE Maths at grade C or above
- GCSE English at grade C or above (literature or language)
- English entry requirements for International and EU students
- Mature applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis
If the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, are not included in the entry requirements section please take a look at the tariff table or contact us to find out whether they meet our minimum entry requirements.
English language entry requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
Pre-sessional English courses
We offer Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) courses from six to 30 weeks for students who need help achieving these requirements. Even if you have already met the minimum entry requirements you could still benefit, as many students do, from the study skills and orientation to the UK education system that is offered by a short PEAP course.
For more information on PEAP including dates, fees and English language entry requirements for these courses, please visit our website.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Advanced entry
Applicants with a BTEC HNC or BTEC HND - merit profile, or equivalent, from a relevant course will be considered for advanced entry. These applications will be considered on an individual basis.
Application and selection
Selection for this course is through the UCAS application form. Candidates are not required to attend an interview for this course.
For more general information on the UCAS application process, please visit the UCAS website.
Funding
We have a strong commitment to maintaining access for all to higher education. We recognise the need to invest financially in the future of our students, so we have introduced a system of bursaries aimed at enabling home students from lower income families to undertake a degree course. For information about Nottingham Trent University bursaries please visit Fees and Funding.
Open days
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the School on one of our open days. Please book your place before you attend.
Our open days are an ideal opportunity for you to get a taste of Nottingham Trent University, and find out if it is the right place for you. You will be able to meet our staff and students, get an insight into student life, and find out more about the courses we offer.
Any questions?
Course enquiries:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
Admissions enquiries:
AskNTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 941 8418
