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Building Pathology

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  • Level of study:
    Professional
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    26 January 2027
  • Duration:
    26 January - 11 May 2027. Tuesday mornings (term-time only)
  • Attendance:
    Part-time
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (City Campus)
Close up of a building with interesting architecture

About this course

There are essentially two dimensions to the building surveying profession – the organisation of building work and the assessment of the condition of existing buildings.

The focus of this course is the diagnosis of building defects in existing buildings, which is an essential part of the building surveyor’s work, often referred to as building pathology.

The knowledge required for building pathology is an understanding of basic building technology and how and why buildings and materials fail.

The aim of this course is therefore to teach you the principles of structural failure, the properties of building materials and how materials deteriorate as a result of various environmental factors.

In addition, you'll learn about the various types of inspection that building surveyors undertake, and the role of surveyor in preparing schedules of dilapidations and acting as an expert witness.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  • analyse, evaluate and interpret complex information in a systematic, critical and creative way
  • make logical recommendations based on information available
  • identify and solve problems
  • generate new ideas, innovations and solutions
  • communicate information, ideas and concepts effectively in a clear fashion, using the appropriate IT
  • demonstrate improved personal and interpersonal skills, and be able to work constructively in a team
  • apply ethical and professional values.

A CPD certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the course.

Successful completion can also contribute 20 credits towards a postgraduate award.

  • Accelerate your career

    Gain new skills and knowledge that are relevant to the industry today.

  • Part-time learning

    Attend one session per week and fit your studies around your busy work schedule.

  • Expert tutors

    Learn from those who have bring industry experience, teaching skills and research to their subject.

  • Study for credit or certificate

    Gain a certificate that confirms your CPD hours, or build credit towards a qualification in the future.

This course will include:

  • an introduction to building pathology
  • behaviour, performance and degradations of buildings and building materials
  • structural appraisal and types of building inspection
  • the equipment used by surveyors
  • how and why builds move, and how to diagnose a crack
  • the impact of dampness, condensation, timber infestation and decay, concrete failure, and flood damage
  • advanced inspection techniques and survey reports
  • legislations, technical standards and professional ethics in construction
  • preparation of schedules of dilapidations.

For CITB-registered employers, Employer Network funding is available subject to CITB pre‑approval agreed with your CITB Local Advisor.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

How you're taught

Teaching and learning will take place using a flexible programme of lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials.

Who will teach you?

  • A picture of someone smiling at the camera

    Fiona Bessford

    Senior Lecturer

    Fiona Bessford teaches undergraduate and postgraduate cohorts in the Property Management and Development department. She is Course Leader of the BSc Property Development and Planning course and delivers industry-focused teaching to prepare students for professional accreditation.

    Visit Fiona Bessford's staff profile

Entry requirements

UK students

You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work.

You will probably be employed on significant infrastructure or building works, with experience of developing and coordinating projects.

If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree in a construction-related subject.

Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International students

You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work.

You will probably be employed on significant infrastructure or building works, with experience of developing and coordinating projects.

If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree in a construction-related subject.

Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

The fee for this course is £1,600.

Payment is due before the course starts.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

The fee for this course is £1,600.

Payment is due before the course starts.

Careers and employability

  • Employability Promise

    Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

City Campus facilities

Many of your lectures and seminars will take place in the Newton building on our City Campus.

Industry standard software

You will have the opportunity to use and familiarise yourself with our industry-standard software, including:

  • digital mapping
  • development appraisal
  • property and environmental risk information
  • industry-standard information systems and databases.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.

Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.

Books and library resources

Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the built environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.

Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

Applying

UK students

Please read the guidance notes and complete the application form.

You should then email your form to be considered by the academic team.

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

If you have any questions about how to apply, contact the short course team:

Apply now

International students

Please read the guidance notes and complete the application form.

You should then email your form to be considered by the academic team.

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

If you have any questions about how to apply, contact the short course team:

Application support

If you have any questions, just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can fill in our online form or give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 2999.

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Keeping in touch

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