Skip to main content

Quantity Surveying BSc(Hons)

    • Apply now Order a prospectus Open Days
    Undergraduate Open Days
    Undergraduate Open Days
    {{menu.previous.name}}
    {{menu.center.name}}
    {{menu.next.name}}

    Overview

    Our Quantity Surveying BSc(Hons) course could provide the first step to becoming a qualified Quantity Surveyor. The courses accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). It has been developed to work alongside our Architecture BA(Hons) and courses in Architectural Technology and Construction Project Management, to help develop a strong understanding of professionalism within the construction industry and how to work in multidisciplinary teams.

    Two crucial tools for today’s quantity surveyor are Lean Construction and Building Information Modelling (BIM). Lean Construction focuses on delivering minimum cost and maximum value for a construction project, looking at how the process of design, construction and end-use of a building is managed. BIM enhances Lean Construction, giving surveyors tools to manage the costs of materials and labour in projects. On the course, you’ll explore both areas to understand how you could deliver better value to future clients. This surveying course also provides the skills to enable you to manage the commercial and contractual aspects of the construction process.

    Once you’ve enrolled on the Quantity Surveying course, you can switch to Construction Project Management or Architectural Technology (with the agreement of your tutors) at the end of the first year if your interests change.

    Why study Quantity Surveying BSc(Hons)

    Building at Huddersfield is top in Yorkshire in the 2024 NSS for Teaching, Learning Outcomes, Academic Support, Organisation and Management, Learning Resources and Assessment and Feedback.

    To enhance your graduate employment prospects, you’ll also have the chance to undertake a work placement.

    Entry requirements

    BBC-BCC at A Level or equivalent

    112-104 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications

    Merit in T Level .

    DMM-MMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above
    • 112-104 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Engineering Foundation Year.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Design and Construction Practice

    This module aims at introducing students to practices in the design and construction of facilities in the Built Environment. It focuses on the practical application of materials, components and systems to small-scale structures and buildings. It also provides you with an opportunity to apply technology to the design process along with developing understanding of the importance of architectural detailing in conjunction with appropriate construction methods. The module will facilitate the development of presentation skills in all forms from spoken presentations at tutorials to the preparation of suitable drawings and models of carefully detailed components. You will be encouraged to integrate practical, technical and theoretical skills from adjacent modules.

    Construction Business and Law

    This module will introduce the overall construction business to you. The content is structured into three distinctive, but interrelated areas, namely, business at industry level, business at project level and business at individual level.

    Building Technology and Digital Communication

    The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the principles and practices of building technology, digital technologies, communication and representation in the context of architecture and construction. This module consists of four parallel strands: Structures; Buildings Fabric Design; Environmental Design and Digital Communication.

    Core modules:

    Collaborative Project Built Environment

    The aim of the module is to provide you with an opportunity to work in multi-disciplinary teams and enable you to perform tasks in the context of a team-based project. It offers you the experience of team working and the multi-disciplinary nature of Built Environment (BE) projects. The project will allow you to practise and further develop both discipline-specific and generic key skills required by a Built Environment professional and encourage self-reflection and enable you to further develop a personal development plan that aligns your learning needs and career aspirations and the requirements of professional institutions.

    Quantification and Cost Management

    Measurement/quantification and cost management is a core skill of a Quantity Surveyor. In this module, you will explore cost control and financial management strategies within the design and construction process and examine the process of setting, controlling and monitoring of cost / financial objectives during the project life cycle. You will be introduced to the construction cost management techniques for each stage of the design and construction process. This module will also introduce the basic concepts of building and Civil Engineering measurements to establish the fundamental knowledge about the role, the process, the basic rules and the industry standards of building and civil engineering measurements.

    Building Technology and Digital Detailing

    In this module, you will be given an introduction to the legal framework and approaches associated with the conservation of buildings. The module will introduce the causes and nature of building defects likely to occur in a range of contemporary and traditional buildings. Supplemented by a substantial amount of background reading, you will develop the skills needed to understand problematic material-based issues that arise in various types of construction.

    School of Art and Humanities Placement

    You will normally spend a total of 48 weeks (36 weeks minimum) between the end of year two and the beginning of your final year in a managed work experience. You will be encouraged to obtain a placement activity relevant to your area of specialism, however a wide range of placements will be regarded as suitable. The placement will be monitored and you will be assessed on completion.

    Core modules:

    Professional Practice

    In this module you will consolidate the prior learning in technical, professional and managerial subjects to attain a level of preparedness for professional practice and career development. In part, this is a response to the requirements of built environment professional institutions where the future practitioners are expected to have a fuller understanding and awareness of business and commercial matters and the enterprise characteristics of their chosen profession.

    Advanced Measurement and Commercial Management

    This module focuses on the detailed and advanced quantification of construction work. This enhances your knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of measurement developed at Level I (Year 2). It will also enable you to develop an in-depth understanding of the processes of commercial and value management.

    Procurement and Contract Administration

    Advice on construction procurement and contract administration is a major responsibility that comes under the job profile of Quantity Surveyors. At the same time, procurement systems and contractual arrangements often have major influences over the strategies used to design and manage a given construction project. As such, it is important that the future Quantity Surveyors, Building Surveyors and Construction Project Managers have a deep insight of various construction procurement systems and standard form of contracts (JCT and NEC forms of contracts). Accordingly, this module introduces the principal types of procurement systems and associated standard form of contracts used in the UK construction market and internationally. In addition, it explores the fundamental procedures related to construction contract administration using the commonly used standard form of contracts.

    Major Project Dissertation

    This module provides you with an opportunity to lead an investigation into an area of the Built Environment that is of interest to you. You will choose and define the topic, research relevant information (either primary or secondary), set that information in the context of an appropriate intellectual framework, draw relevant conclusions, and write up and submit the project in an approved format. A support lecture programme and an individual research supervisor are provided.

    You will be taught through a series of lectures and tutorials and your assessment will include coursework, presentations and exams.

    On average, 19.7%* of the study time on this course is spent in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc.

    *based on 23/24 programme specifications.

    Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    Inspirational field trips to destinations of educational and cultural significance are a component of the course and will be funded by the University.

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. The exams for this course will take place in January. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    The course offers an optional one-year (36 week minimum) work placement after the second year. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

    You can find out more information on placements here.

    I felt like Kier gave me the greatest opportunity to get involved with a major project and gain the greatest experience possible. The placement year has solidified my interest in being a Quantity Surveyor and in the future, it will help with my chances of getting a graduate job!

    None

    Hollie Birks, Quantity Surveying student, undertook her placement at Kier Group

    Create Lab for VR - Image: AHR
    Canalside view of the Barbara Hepworth Building
    The Atrium of the Barbara Hepworth Building
    Inside the Oastler building

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

    Discover the job roles our graduates are working in now.

    Professional links and accreditation

    Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate.

    Inspiring Graduate

    Get inspired by real students and their careers.
     

    Careers advice

    Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.
     

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can thrive.
     

    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.
     

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

    You may also be interested in...

    Construction Project Management BSc(Hons)

    Full-time

    Undergraduate

    Construction Project Management BSc(Hons) looks at turning building designs into completed projects. Topics include Lean Construction and BIM.

    Find out more How to apply

    Architecture/Architecture (International) (RIBA Part 1) BA(Hons)

    Full-time

    Undergraduate

    Studying Architecture and International Architecture in its social and cultural context can help you gain skills to design innovative, sustainable buildings.

    Find out more How to apply

    Architectural Technology BSc(Hons)

    Full-time

    Undergraduate

    Studying Architectural Technology could help you go on to a career designing buildings that are cost-efficient and sustainable.

    Find out more How to apply

    Interior Design BA(Hons)

    Full-time

    Undergraduate

    Interior Design is a creative and engaging course, looking at current design thinking to understand the potential of interior environments.

    Find out more How to apply
    View more courses