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 with a part-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). -
We're ranked Top 10 in the UK for Building subjects (Complete University Guide, 2025). -
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)
- Professional Skills and Digital Technologies (20 credits)
- Construction Industry Practice (20 credits)
Year Two
- Construction Technology (20 credits)
- Sustainable Technology and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
- Measurement (20 credits)
- Contract Administration: Control and Finance (20 credits)
- Law (20 credits)
- Cost Planning and Estimating (20 credits)
Year Three
- Sandwich placement year or Study abroad
Final Year
- Quantity Surveying Project (40 credits)
- Contract Practice (20 credits)
- Project and Financial Management (20 credits)
- Dissertation (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.
Professional Skills and Digital Technologies (20 credits)
- On this module, you’ll be introduced to the role of technology and data within the sustainable built environment. You will be introduced to the latest technologies and processes commonly used in practice.
- You’ll learn to recognise the role of technology in your studies, your future career and to enable your development as a professional.
Construction Industry Practice (20 credits)
- This module will introduce you to some of the important roles carried out by professionals in order to create the built environment.
- Focus will be on the structure of the industry, the professions within the industry and where you'll fit into it - forming construction teams, tendering for construction work, and health and safety within the industry.
- You’ll have the opportunity to identify your future role within the industry and develop your employability skills to achieve this.
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.
Sustainable Technology and Building Engineering Services (20 credits)
- In this module you'll explore the techniques of sustainability used in building technology and environmental engineering.
- You'll also learn about providing internal environments within buildings using both active and passive control methods.
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.
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.
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'll 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.
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.
Sandwich placement year
In your third year, you'll have the opportunity to take a year-long, full-time placement. This year in industry will offer you hands-on experience, adding invaluable knowledge and skills to your CV. Many students return to their placement company after graduation, having developed a useful network of contacts within the industry.
Recent placement destinations have included VolkerFitzpatrick, Arcadis, RG Group, MACE, and many more. The majority of these roles come with a salary, with some students earning over £20,000 for their year.
Successful completion of the placement year leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice.
Study abroad
If you're studying on our sandwich route you can also opt to study abroad for a full academic year, or for a semester, during Year Three. This is an optional and additional period of study that complements your degree at NTU as an alternative to taking a work placement.
This is an exciting opportunity to experience a different national culture, teaching and learning styles and subjects in an international environment. The destination university must be a year abroad / exchange partner of NTU or member of a formally recognised scheme such as the International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP).
Our NTU Global and student mobility team will support you in finding the right opportunity from one of the many international partners available around the world.
Successful completion of a period of international study will earn you a standalone award – an International Study Certificate (minimum six weeks) or the International Study Diploma (minimum 36 weeks).
Quantity Surveying Project (40 credits)
- This module aims to integrate knowledge and skills derived from the study programme, through application to a specific project scenario. It draws on industry practice to provide an overview of the fundamental principles of the construction development and delivery process.
- You'll further develop your analytical, problem-solving and creative-thinking skills, and your ability to work both independently and in teams, with minimal reliance on close supervision, preparing you for your role in the construction industry.
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.
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'll 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.
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.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
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How you're taught
You’ll learn through a mix of:
- lectures - covering the key theories
- seminars - smaller-group sessions perfect for learning key skills and collaborative working
- practical exercises - including IT sessions and computer-aided design (CAD), concrete testing and field work
- project work - self-directed study with the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.
Outside of timetabled sessions you'll need to undertake self-directed independent study. This will include preparing for lectures, researching, completing coursework, developing a portfolio, and directed reading to expand your knowledge.
95% of BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management full-time students are satisfied with the teaching on their course (NSS, 2024).
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 the school will cover all substantive costs, including travel and accommodation.
Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. Optional trips may incur a cost to the student.
How will I be assessed?
You'll be assessed through a mix of coursework and exams. The coursework will make up the majority of your assessment and will consist of group and individual projects, reports, presentations, and essays. You'll receive feedback throughout each module.
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 98% of NTU's Engineering submission was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally 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
Our course is designed to prepare you to succeed in the construction industry. You'll graduate with desirable skills and knowledge, boosting your employment prospects. We ensure our courses continue to be focused on current industry practice, through regular consultation with employers in industry, professional bodies, and current students.
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.
- Siemens
- Morgan Sindall
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). If you undertake a sandwich placement, this will normally count as the first year of your professional work experience (only for RICS), however at least 12 months of study must take place on a graduate training scheme. 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, 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.
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.
Networking events are run throughout the year specifically for Construction students, such as our Property, Design and Construction fair.
Excellent placement opportunities
Students have the opportunity to apply for a year-long work placement. This will give you real, hands-on experience within the industry, opening up exciting opportunities for future employment. Our sandwich route offers this year-long placement option, with a total course length of four years.
NTU is 1st for the number of UG students studying Architecture, building and planning (HESA, 2021/22).
Where can I work?
Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management students typically gain placements at construction main contractors, civil engineering main contractors, house builders, construction consultancies, project management consultancies, and local authorities.
Recent placement destinations have included:
- Morgan Sindall
- Gleeds
- Volker Fitzpatrick
- J N Bentley
- Laing O'Rourke.
The majority of students from this course work as assistant quantity surveyors during their placement.
Professional qualification
Successful completion of the 36 weeks leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice, which will further enhance your CV.
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
Quantity Surveying students given real-life insight into the construction industry
Final year Quantity Surveying students were invited by leading construction company Volker Fitzpatrick to attend 'A Week in the Life of a Quantity Surveyor'.
Prologis site visit gives students insights into 'real life' construction
Campus and facilities
Our Facilities
We have a vast range of specialist tools, software, workshops and other facilities to help students in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment create their very best work.
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.
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'll 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: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent)
Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent)
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
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
Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent). We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Foundation preparation course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City campus.
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.
Sign up for emails
Sign up to receive regular emails from the International Office. You'll hear about our news, scholarships and any upcoming events in your country with our expert regional teams.
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.
