About this course
This industry-accredited course is designed for those who want to be at the heart of managing the construction procurement process.
Quantity surveyors are needed to manage the commercial aspects of construction and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Their role is to minimise costs and enhance value for money, delivering projects on time and to the required quality.
With sustainable construction methods and technology at the core of your learning, this course will help you develop a thorough understanding about all of the important parts of the construction management process — finances, cost planning and estimating, law, contract administration, architectural science, through to building engineering and measurement.
We also offer this course as a full-time study route and as a Degree Apprenticeship.
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2nd most sustainable university in the world (UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024). -
NTU is 3rd for the number of UG students studying Building subjects (HESA 2021/22) -
Building subjects at NTU are ranked 4th in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025) -
Gain vital skills and experience in the workplace by undertaking a one-year placement on our sandwich route. Previous students have spent their placements at companies such as AECOM, JN Bentley and Laing O'Rourke.
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What you’ll study
Linking an understanding of the construction process with key numerical and cost-management skills, your modules will help you develop a cohesive understanding of the role of the quantity surveyor, alongside the relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
Year One
- Fundamentals of Construction (40 credits)
- Introduction to Measurement and Cost (20 credits)
- Architectural Science and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
- Practice in the Workplace (40 credits)
Year Two and Three
- Measurement (20 credits)
- Construction Technology (20 credits)
- Law (20 credits)
- Contract Administration: Control and Finance (20 credits)
- Cost Planning and Estimating (20 credits)
- Sustainable Technology and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
Year Four
- Project and Financial Management (20 credits)
- Dissertation (40 credits)
Final Year
- Contract Practice (20 credits)
- Professional Practice (40 credits)
Fundamentals of Construction (40 credits)
- This module will introduce you to the domestic construction industry and the technology associated with it, looking at modern and sustainable forms of construction.
- You'll develop an understanding of building materials and their properties, studying a range of building components, elements and forms.
Introduction to Measurement and Cost (20 credits)
- This module will introduce and develop your understanding of measurement principles, and your ability to apply measurement skills.
- You'll develop an understanding of how construction costs occur, learn how to prepare estimates of these costs, and how to manage their occurrence during the construction process.
Architectural Science and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
- This module will introduce you to the methods of providing comfortable internal thermal, visual and acoustic environments – the ways in which buildings are appropriately heated, cooled, quietened and illuminated.
- You'll study the basic principles underlying the operation and function of building engineering services: how buildings are provided with water supplies and concentrated energy, such as gas and electricity, and how waste and refuse are removed.
Practice in the Workplace (40 credits)
- This module allows you to learn from the work environment. It is designed so that you can acquire an appreciation of the structure of the construction industry and understand the role of construction professionals within the construction industry.
- You will also develop appropriate key skills and competencies in maths, IT and professional communication.
Year Two
Measurement (20 credits)
- The ability to measure quantities is very important and much sought-after skill for a quantity surveyor. This module will cover the measurement of building works, building engineering services, and civil engineering works.
Construction Technology (20 credits)
- This module will primarily focus on industrial and commercial buildings. The key aim is for you to understand modern and traditional building technologies.
- It will also consider international construction methods and materials. Sustainability is an intrinsic driver in all construction matters, and its consideration will be an overriding requirement in this module.
Law (20 credits)
- This module will introduce you to the English Legal System, to help you understand how law is made, administered and enforced. You will also study health and safety, negligence, occupier's liability, and other relevant construction-related legal topics.
- The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of legal duties and responsibilities. One particular theme is effective decision-making for construction professionals, and in particular manager's duties in employment and business law.
Year Three
Contract Administration: Control and Finance (20 credits)
- Contract administration is the study of construction contracts and practice. Construction related contracts are widely used in the industry and play an important role in your working practices.
- This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of this area by studying key topics related to the administration of construction-related contracts, and applying the practices and procedures to industry-related scenarios.
- These topics are crucial to any construction-related project, and represent the fundamental building blocks of a relationship between a client and a contractor, and will form a daily part of a future professional career in construction.
Cost Planning and Estimating (20 credits)
- This module aims to develop your understanding of how construction costs occur, your ability to prepare estimates of cost and to manage the occurrence of cost during the construction process.
- The ability to produce residual valuations, life-cycle costing and cost plans is very important as a quantity surveyor. This module will cover most of the pre-tender stage estimating techniques.
Sustainable Technology and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
- In this module you will explore the techniques of sustainability used in building technology and environmental engineering.
- You will also learn about providing internal environments within buildings using both active and passive control methods.
Project and Financial Management (20 credits)
- This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the UK and international construction industry, and the strategies which can be adopted by clients to successfully procure and manage construction projects.
- You will develop the ability to interpret the particular needs of different client groups, to develop relevant procurement strategies, and to apply tools and techniques to support the implementation of those strategies - both procedural and financial.
Dissertation (40 credits)
- This module offers an opportunity to develop and utilise a range of research skills to produce a thesis based on a topic you have selected.
- Through intensive research and knowledge of appropriate theory, you'll develop an extended research dissertation, guided by your dissertation supervisor.
Contract Practice (20 credits)
- Construction-related contracts are used widely in the industry, and play an increasingly important role in your everyday working practice.
- This module will develop your existing knowledge so that you're able to undertake contract practice duties, and give reasoned professional advice on matters relating to construction contracts.
- By drawing on relevant statute, case law and research, the module aims to allow you to develop a critical, rounded knowledge base of the key issues.
Professional Practice (40 credits)
- You will draw on current industry practices to provide an overview of the fundamental principles of the quantity surveying profession.
- This module will develop your practical knowledge of codes of professional practice, ethics and understanding of professional competence.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Video Gallery
How you're taught
The part-time study route is taught one day a week, and where possible part-time students are taught alongside full-time students on the BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management course. Your typical day will run from 9 am through to about 7.30 pm, and normally three different subject areas are taught on each day.
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- laboratory sessions - including IT sessions and computer-aided design (CAD) and concrete testing
- project work - self-directed study with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
The delivery of the course is enhanced by the incorporation of site visits and guest lectures delivered by external practitioner experts, extensive use of case studies and projects (some set by real companies).
Study trips
Field trips and study visits are an important part of your learning. Trips may include site visits to live projects and residential study trips. Where a trip is mandatory it will be aligned to your modules and inform project work, and substantive costs – including travel and accommodation – will be paid for by the school. Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. These optional trips may incur a cost.
Research informed teaching
Our research is tackling real-world issues – and the people working on this research will be teaching you. It also informs the subjects you’ll be studying with us 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.
How you're assessed
People excel in different ways, and we want everybody to have the best possible chance of success. You will be assessed through:
- coursework, this will make up the majority of your assessments and will consist of group and individual projects, formal reports, presentations, and essays.
- exams, including formal exams and written tests.
Careers and employability
Your future professional career
Completing this degree will start you on the path to a professional career as a Quantity Surveyor or Commercial Manager in the dynamic and varied construction industry. We ensure our courses continue to be focused on current industry practice, through regular consultation with employers in the industry, professional bodies, and current students.
As a part-time student in employment, you'll split your time between University and your workplace. You'll be able to apply your learning directly to your work throughout your studies and develop a comprehensive knowledge of construction principles and processes in practice. By the time you graduate, you'll have accumulated up to five years' worth of industry experience, alongside a highly regarded degree - putting you in a very competitive position to progress.
Where do Quantity Surveying graduates from NTU work?
NTU has a strong construction and quantity surveying alumni community, with many graduates working in senior positions in leading national and international companies. Recent graduate destinations have included:
- Arcadis
- Balfour Beatty
- Gleeds
- Turner & Townsend
- Faithful + Gould
- Eurovia
- AECOM
- Wates Construction
- Mace Group
Graduate roles have included: quantity surveyor, assistant quantity surveyor, assistant contract manager, graduate quantity surveyor, and commercial management trainee.
What our accreditations mean for you
This degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), and the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM). 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). Find out more about how to complete your APC and become RICS qualified.
This course will prepare you for future employment in a number of the RICS APC pathways.
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, skill 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.
Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM)
Graduates from BQSM accredited courses are able to apply for registration with the BQSM. You'll be required to complete an assessment of professional competence as part of the application process to become a registered member.
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. Our Employability team runs a series of events throughout the year specifically for Construction students, including our Property, Design and Construction fair, bringing our students together with prospective employers.
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.
What our students are doing now
Prologis site visit gives students insights into 'real life' construction
The students travelled to the logistics development in Hemel Hempstead for a site tour and interactive workshops as part of their Construction Technology module.
Quantity Surveying students given real-life insight into the construction industry
Campus and facilities
Our Facilities
Your lectures and seminars will take place on our City Campus. You'll also benefit from dedicated lab spaces in the Maudslay building, including a hydraulics lab and a concrete testing lab.
Take a look at the industry-standard facilities we have at the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, 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).
Books and library resources
In our modern library, you will have 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. They can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources and also support on things such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent) for entry at Year One.
Relevant employment in the construction industry including a letter from your employer.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
For advanced entry a merit profile from all H2 units in a relevant HNC or HND is required, along with current employment in the construction industry.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Unfortunately, this course is not open to international students
Additional requirements for international students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
