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Building Surveying MSc

  • Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: One year full-time or two years part-time
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

Building surveyors are advisors for the property and construction industry: the glue that helps clients to learn more about the importance of design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings.

This degree focuses on the key areas of a building surveyor's work: building performance, regulatory compliance, specification, supervision and management of construction works, and building pathology. These areas encompass a range of activities, including surveys, inspections, evaluations, and the maintenance and remediation of defects.

Throughout the course, you’ll get a strong understanding of the process of procurement, contract, and project management of building works, with an emphasis on both new-build and the extension and refurbishment of existing buildings.

In addition, you’ll develop an applied understanding of building technology, building regulations, sustainability, digital technologies, conversion, adaptation and care of buildings, and heritage and conservation.

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), enabling you to progress to Chartership as you progress through your career.

Who is this course designed for?

Professionals and graduates wishing to pursue a career in the property and construction industry, on route to Chartered status. It's suitable for those who don't necessarily have a background in property or construction, acting as a fast-track conversion for those with an unrelated undergraduate degree (or professional qualification) to obtain an accredited route into the industry. In addition, it is suitable for property professionals working in industry who wish to specialise in building surveying.

  • NTU is ranked 10th in the UK for Land and Property Management (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023).
  • 2nd most sustainable university in the world (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2023).
  • 100% of MSc Building Surveying full-time and part-time graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).
  • Our graduates are highly regarded by employers and enjoy excellent career prospects. Previous students have gone on to work for companies including Gleeds, Rider Levett Bucknall, Faithful + Gould, Cushman & Wakefield and Laing O’Rourke.

Course accreditation

  • Chartered Institute of Building logo
  • Chartered Association of Building Engineers
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo

What you’ll study

This course focuses on key areas of a building surveyor's work: building performance and pathology – including inspections, evaluations, maintenance and remediation of defects, and the project management of building works, with an emphasis on the extension and refurbishment of existing buildings.

Course structure

The course is formed of nine modules – eight core modules and one optional. You'll be able to choose one of two optional modules, offering the opportunity to pursue research or to undertake a work placement in industry.

Your modules total 180 credit points. The modules' credit points are weighted based on the total time you can expect to spend studying the module content, both in terms of contact hours and non-contact hours.

Core Modules

  • Building Technology
  • Project and Contract Management
  • Law for Surveyors
  • Statutory Control of Buildings
  • Building Pathology
  • Professional Practice
  • Conversion, Adaptation and Care of Buildings
  • Heritage and Conservation

Optional modules

  • Postgraduate Dissertation/Consultancy Project
  • Internship

Some of these modules are shared with other Masters level property management and development courses.

Building Technology

15 credit points

  • The aim of this module is for you to explore the most recent and traditional technological and philosophical aspects of construction techniques, and management processes across a range of building types. Strongly supported by case study examples and live projects, you'll be stimulated and motivated to undertake further analytical research into relevant topics.
  • Your studies will primarily focus on the introduction of construction details and management processes, including sustainable and emerging technologies, and innovative forms of construction from inception to completion. This module will enable you to better know and understand modern and traditional technologies and management methodologies as applied to a wide range of building works.

Project and Contract Management

15 credit points
  • Project and Contract Management is the study of planning, designing, procuring, and administrating construction contracts. This module will develop your in-depth knowledge and understanding of issues such as the appropriate choice of procuring contractors and facilitating contractual arrangements for the chosen procurement route.
  • You will study project management methodologies in addition to the design and construction of different industry standard forms of contract and assess the most appropriate mechanism for dealing with disputes.

Law for Surveyors

15 credit points
  • This module will help you to develop knowledge and understanding of key elements of a range of legislation and legal principles relevant to the work of Chartered Surveyors and professional advisers working in the real estate and construction professions.

Statutory Control of Buildings

15 credit points
  • Through workshop sessions you will explore the wider aspects of the whole life cycle of buildings, incorporating safe design, construction, occupation and demolition.
  • You will develop your level of proficiency in the core skills needed by Construction, Surveying, and Engineering graduates in a fast-developing and technological global industry.
  • Studying this module will allow you to build and consolidate your knowledge and understanding of regulation, control, inspection, specification, methods of construction, digital and sustainable technologies, and data and quality management.

Building Pathology

15 credit points
  • There are two dimensions to the building surveying profession - the organisation of building work (mainly to maintain, extend, adapt or improve existing building) and the assessment of the condition of existing buildings. This module focuses on the diagnosis of building defects - and essential part of the second aspect of the building surveyor's work.
  • The overall aim of this module is for you to learn the principles of structural failure, the structural properties of the main building materials, and how materials deteriorate as a result of various environmental factors
  • You ill learn about various types of inspection that the building surveyor undertakes, in addition to considering the roles of the building surveyor in preparing schedules of dilapidations and acting as an expert witness.

Professional Practice

15 credit points
  • This module will draw upon the knowledge, understanding and skills you’ve developed during your studies as you critically evaluate and conduct a complex research or professional assignment.
  • You’ll apply your learning and demonstrate appropriate application of technical and theoretical knowledge, understanding, frameworks and skills are required.
  • This module enables you to engage with industry and will be facilitated by a period of simulated work experience.

Conversion, Adaptation and Care of Buildings

15 credit points
  • This module focuses on the organisation and project management of building work (mainly to maintain, extend,adapt or improve existing buildings
  • Throughout this module you will develop the core knowledge and skill areas required to undertake this work, which are an understanding of a range of building technologies and an appreciation of design of maintenance, alteration, extension and refurbishment of buildings in order to satisfy clients' and occupiers' expectations and building performance.
  • You will learn about adaptive reuse, extension, alteration, conservation, and maintenance of a range of buildings and the legislative framework surrounding planning and carrying out the works.

Heritage and Conservation

15 credit points
  • Focusing on the UK, but also drawing on increasing international paradigms, you will learn how to appraise culturally significant buildings and paces, consider relevant aspects of architectural history, identify construction forms, and appraise building condition.
  • This module seeks to develop a greater understanding of the science of conversation materials and its relationship to building failure and appropriate repair strategies.
  • Embedded within the module will be an underlying reference to the economic aspects of heritage management, together with a comprehensive understanding of the relevant legal, statutory and procedural controls.

Postgraduate Dissertation/Consultancy Project

60 credit points
  • You will be required to specify a research question, which will examine the connections between theories and principles, business or industrial practice and research in the context of your course. You'll own and manage your own significant independent academic enquiry, which will be reported in the form of a postgraduate dissertation.
  • Alternatively, you may, with the agreement of the module leader, undertake a consultancy project. However, the work must still meet the learning outcomes of the module and demonstrate application of the methodological principles of research. An investigation for your consultancy project may have been pre-identified or pre-constructed in your work environment, and framed around an issue of organisational relevance. Key relevant data may be readily available within your workplace and the outcome of the enquiry may have direct relevance to your employing organisation, or to the real estate and/or construction profession. It is important to note that a consultancy project will still require a substantive critical literature review, and consideration of methodological choices and approach, and is not simply a typical commercial consultancy report that might be produced for a client.
  • Normally you will implement your research proposal, which you will develop and hand in towards the start of this module. You will undertake a literature review appropriate to the selected topic and develop and apply a relevant methodology and research design. The results of your research will be described, analysed, evaluated and discussed with reference to the literature review. You will be required to draw conclusions and make recommendations for both professional practice and further research. You will not be required to make an original contribution to knowledge to succeed, but you will be required to demonstrate rigorous application of research processes to your selected topic.
  • In addition to your final dissertation/consultancy project report, you will be required to prepare a critical and reflective commentary and evaluation. Your reflective commentary will encompass the experience gained throughout your research, development of your professional and academic skills arising from the dissertation/consultancy project, and assessment of your ongoing development needs; as part of this you should produce a personal professional and academic skills development plan.

Internship

60 credit points
  • By choosing this option you will need to successfully secure an internship*, and complete a period of programme relevant work experience (minimum 150 hours).
  • As part of this you will be required to complete an associated research-based enquiry examining connections between theories, principles and practice; business, commercial, industrial, and professional practice and research, in the context of your course and field of internship.
  • Your Practice Research Enquiry will be reported in the form of a professional report; it is expected that this report will be underpinned by rigorous and critical examination of literature within the field. This enquiry may be based around a topic that has been pre-identified and possibly partly pre-constructed in your internship environment, and framed around an issue of organisational relevance to the internship provider.
  • Key relevant data may be readily available from or through the internship and the outcome of the study may well have direct relevance to the internship provider (although this is not a requirement). It is important to note that this study will require a focused critical literature review, and critical consideration of methodological choices, options and approaches. You will be required to specify the nature of your research enquiry at a formative stage of the investigation through the submission of a Practice Research Enquiry Proposal.

*You will receive support in sourcing a placement through our Employability team, however it is your responsibility to source and secure your internship opportunity with a relevant company. Availability of internships is not guaranteed. If an internship cannot be secured, then you will be required to complete the Postgraduate Dissertation / Consultancy Project module instead.

It is the responsibility of non-UK students to investigate the restrictions of their student visa when seeking internship opportunities and/or employment in the UK. Visit the UKCISA website for the most up-to-date visa information.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Caroline Chell

The MSc Building Surveying course was CABE, RICS, and CIOB accredited and allowed me the flexibility to experience each module before committing to which route to chartership would be most appropriate for me.

Sunil Singh Jaswal

A post graduate degree was the best way to gain a deeper understanding for me and develop my interest in buildings from both a practical and technical know-how rather than purely academic.

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How you’re taught

How will I learn?

A wide range of teaching and learning methods are used to deliver the course content. In most modules, you'll take part in intensive sessions of key point lectures, supported by study guides, case studies, and other literature. Many modules include presentations by external industry specialists and visits to live sites, to provide a real life perspective on the module content. Previous guest speakers have included Laing O'Rourke, Cushman & Wakefield, Turner and Townsend, the President of CIOB and the President of RICS.

Non-contact hours include direct out-of-classroom reading and activities, and independent learning and reading is deemed necessary to achieve the learning outcomes for the course.

Study trips

Field trips and study visits are an important part of your learning. You will have the opportunity to go on a field trip as part of your studies. 

Other trips may include site visits and visits to practices, museums, exhibitions and events. Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. Optional trips will incur a cost to the student. A valid passport and any associated visas will be required for trips outside of the UK. Where there are unforeseen circumstances outside of our control, trips may not run.

Research informed teaching

By daring to think differently our research is tackling real-world issues. The subjects you will study with us are informed by our research so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) – the UK’s system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities – we’re proud that 100% of research submitted by the Centre of the Built Environment was assessed to be either world-leading or international excellent.

Staff Profiles

Chris Marsh - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Course Leader

Chris Keast - Principal Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Chris Keast, C.Build E, FCIOB, FCABE, MInstLM, MICOMOS, FHEA, is the Postgraduate and Degree Apprenticeship Programmes Manager and Course Leader MSc Building Surveying in Property Management and Development.

Ryan Hardwick - Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Ryan Hardwick, Lecturer in Property Management and Development

Danny Medcalf - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Danny Medcalf is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment at NTU in Construction Management.

Louise O'Donoghue - Senior Lecturer

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Louise O'Donoghue's NTU Staff Profile.

How you’re assessed

Assessment methods include project work, independent assignments and reports, exams, work portfolios and presentations.

Assignments are investigative in nature, enabling you to develop your principles, analyse, critically appraise and evaluate relevant issues, demonstrating your creativity and sustainable thinking.

Careers and employability

Where do MSc Building Surveying graduates from NTU work?

Our graduates are highly regarded by employers, enjoy excellent career prospects, and have gone on to work for a wide range of major national and international organisations.

100% of MSc Building Surveying full-time and part-time graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).

Recent graduate destinations include:

  • Gleeds
  • Rider Levett Bucknall
  • Faithful + Gould
  • Cushman & Wakefield
  • Laing O’Rourke
  • Knight Frank, and many more.

What our accreditations mean for you

This degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). These accreditations represent seals of approval that the course delivers the highest standards of teaching, and signify the quality and relevance of the course content.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The RICS accreditation enables you to progress to Chartered Surveyor status once you have completed your studies. To become a Chartered Surveyor, you'll need to complete at least two years of relevant professional work experience – the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

This course will prepare you for future employment in a number of the RICS APC pathways. Find out more about how to complete your APC and become RICS qualified.

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

The CIOB accreditation ensures that successful students have a clear route to become full members of the CIOB (MCIOB). To become Chartered you must apply directly to the body, and demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience in key areas of occupational, managerial and professional competence through reviews and assessments.

As a Chartered member of CIOB, you will be part of the world's largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, with nearly 50,000 members in more than 100 countries.

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

All students on a CABE accredited course can apply for free Student Membership, and after graduating can apply for Graduate Membership (Grad CABE). Graduate Membership is a developmental grade on the pathway to becoming a fully qualified Building Engineer.

CABE is an internationally recognised professional body. As a member, you'll show your peers, employers and the public that you are a competent and ethical professional who can be relied upon to strive for the highest possible standards.

Internships

If you elect to complete the optional Internship module as part of the course, it is your responsibility to source and secure your internship opportunity with a relevant company. You will receive support through our expert Employability team, however availability of internships is not guaranteed.

It is the responsibility of non-UK students to investigate the restrictions of their student visa when seeking internship opportunities and/or employment in the UK. Visit the UKCISA website for the most up-to-date visa information.

Our Employability team

Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course.

Throughout the year, our Employability team runs a series of events specifically for students studying in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. This includes the Built Environment Jobs Fair, where employers advertise graduate positions to our students.

Re:search Re:imagined

To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From mortgage markets to real estate economics, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society.

Find out more

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

Campus and facilities

The majority of your lectures and seminars will take place in the Newton building.

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.

Entry requirements

Applying with prior qualifications

  • 2.2 honours degree in a subject unrelated, or partially related, to real estate and construction.

We specify these minimum entry requirements, but we will assess you individually on your ability to benefit from the course. We sometimes offer places on the basis of non-standard entry qualifications, and industrial or professional experience.

Advanced entry

NTU may admit a student with advanced standing beyond the beginning of a course, through an assessment of that student's prior learning, whether it is certificated or uncertificated. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available to these prospective students, such as recognising experiential learning or transferring to a similar course at another institution, otherwise known as credit transfer.

All prospective students who wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning should initially contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.

Getting in touch

If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Applying with prior qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree grade 2.2 in a subject unrelated, or partially related, to real estate and construction.

We specify these minimum entry requirements, but we will assess you individually on your ability to benefit from the course. We sometimes offer places on the basis of non-standard entry qualifications, and industrial or professional experience.

International qualifications 

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

English language entry requirements 

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Would you like some advice on your study plans? 

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

Fees and funding

Fees for 2024 entry

Study route Home (UK students) fees 2024
Full-time (1 year) £11,900 per year
Part-time (cost per year of study) £5,950 per year

*Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.

Alumni discount and scholarships

We're happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and NTU alumni for courses starting between September 2024 and August 2025. This discount is available for those starting on an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.

Find out more about our discount and scholarships.

Funding your studies

There are numerous sources of funding available for postgraduate students, both from external sources such as the Government and funding bodies, and from the University.

There are two main costs involved with postgraduate study: the cost of your tuition fees which is paid directly to the University, and living expenses such as accommodation, travel and food.

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.

Please take a look at our postgraduate funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.

Additional costs

In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service by calling +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Fees for 2024 entry

Study routeEU and International fees 2024
Full-time (1 year) £17,500 per year
Part-time (cost per year of study) £8,750 per year

*Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.

Alumni discount and scholarships

We're happy to offer a 20% alumni discount to most current NTU students and NTU alumni for courses starting between September 2024 and August 2025. This discount is available for those starting on an eligible postgraduate taught, postgraduate research or professional course.

You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.

We also offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Find out more about our discounts and scholarships.

Additional costs

In addition, most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries which students can easily borrow or access directly whilst studying in the library.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees 

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans? 

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

How to apply

You can apply for this course online through NTU Applicant Portal.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our postgraduate pages.

Writing your application

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.

Advice for non-standard applicants

We welcome applications from applicants without prior qualifications. However, in this instance, you must have proven experience in the property or construction industries, which demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skills at honours degree (undergraduate) standard.

If you are applying without prior qualifications, you will need to submit comprehensive details of your achievements with evidence to substantiate your claim (any documentation can be uploaded to the My Documents section of the Applicant Portal). This type of application will be considered with respect to the University’s provision for ‘accreditation for prior experiential learning’. Decisions regarding the accreditation of prior learning are a matter of academic judgement.

Keeping up to date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or contact us at Ask NTU.

If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.

Good luck with your application!

You can apply for this course online through NTU Applicant Portal.

Application advice

Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.

Writing your personal statement

Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:

Would you like some advice on your study plans? 

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

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