Quantity Surveying - MSc/PGDip

Program Overview

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Course Overview

The aim of this programme is to enable learners to acquire a highly practical level 9 qualification in quantity surveying. The programme will create a progression opportunity for level 8 undergraduates and other learners with a mix of academic qualifications, relevant professional institute membership and experiential learning gained from working within the built environment.

TUS’s postgraduate qualifications in Quantity Surveying are the only courses of their type outside of Dublin. They provide entry points to the profession of Quantity Surveying, and are fully accredited by both the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

The MSc in Quantity Surveying satisfies the educational requirements to enrol in the SCSI APC (become a chartered quantity surveyor) within one year.

This course is fully accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

What are the entry requirements?

• A primary degree in a built environment programme with a minimum award of Second Class Honour Grade 2.
• An appropriate professional built environment qualification (ie. Chartered membership of the SCS, EI, CIOB etc.) and at least 2 years relevant professional experience/responsibility.
• A primary degree and at least 5 years relevant professional responsibility and experience.
• Special Case Registrations: Prospective participants who do not meet the entry requirements for the programme detailed above, but who may qualify for admission by meeting certain other equivalent criteria, should apply to the Admissions Office for consideration.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Contract Implementation
  • Credits: 10
  • The aim of this module is to develop the student’s knowledge, intellectual skills and competence to develop critical and analytical attitudes towards the Implementation and Review process associated with the Capital Works Management Framework.
• Land Use Planning (Elective)
  • Credits: 5
  • The aim of this Module is to provide learners with the fundamental principles underlying land use planning in Ireland and how they are applied in the development management process including the legislative basis on which they are based. The Module covers up to date planning and appeal cases to ensure learners have the knowledge of factors influencing current planning decisions.
• Measurement 1 (Quantification & Sustainable Development)
  • Credits: 5
  • To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the work of the quantity surveyor and the industry in which he/she operates to non QS graduates and explore the essential process and concepts involved in the measurement and tendering of domestic and commercial projects.
• Measurement 2 (Quantification & BIM)
  • Credits: 5
  • Continuing the Measurement 1 module, this expands the ability of the learner to create effective Tender documentation. Cost modelling associated with BIM is introduced and developed.
• Procurement & Tendering
  • Credits: 10
  • Public construction procurement has seen sea change transformation over the past decade. Quantity Surveyors were criticized during the Construction procurement reform debates for only being operationally focused. Still creating transactional BOQ’s in a Public works monoculture of relational PPPs! still surveying quantities in an age of BIM5D! Had the role become extraneous? Inessential?
  This module counters that there has never been a greater need for strategic approach to providing public procurement leadership. Partnering, framework agreements, capital works management framework, e-tendering, Construction procurement reform, expenditure restrictions, accountability, supply chain management, transparency, sustainability, EU directives, risk transfer and avoidance have all added complexity, constraints and opportunities in which procurement specialists operate. This module builds on the operational components of a graduate level Quantity Surveying education (Estimating/Tender documentation) to promote construction procurement as a role in its own right, on parity with Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management.
• Cost Planning & Commercial Management
  • Credits: 5
  • Strategic issues raised in the Procurement & Tendering module such as BIM and the move away from Transactional Contracting (BOQs) are addressed practically and opportunities made available to research or address these challenges and explore new data analytics, business intelligence and cost modelling methods in a supporting environment. The project cycle, programming, sequencing and cash flow analysis is explored.
• Risk and Knowledge Management
  • Credits: 10
  • This module will incorporate the two fields of Risk Management and Knowledge Management. Both management fields will focus their role and application within the construction industry.
  This module will generate a holistic approach to commercial Risk Management in the Construction Industry. The inter-related issues of risk, commercial risk management, insurance, legislation and compliance will be addressed. How these aspects can develop and change throughout the life cycle of the project. Successful projects require risk to be properly managed throughout the life cycle of the project. This module will incorporate the theory and practice of Knowledge Management (KM), with its focus to the construction industry. The KM concepts and methodologies which includes the KM life cycle, knowledge creation, knowledge architecture, knowledge capturing, and knowledge storage and transfer topics will be addressed. The implementation of KM will be viewed in the context of organisational culture that impact knowledge management systems for the support of knowledge workers in today’s modern knowledge-based economy.
• Contract Administration & Dispute Management
  • Credits: 5
  • Continuing the Contract Implementation module, the aim of this module is to develop the student’s knowledge, intellectual skills and competence to develop critical and analytical attitudes towards Contract administration and Dispute Management techniques associated with the Capital Works Management Framework.
• Construction Economics (Elective)
  • Credits: 5
  • This module will focus on the applications of economic theory to the working of the construction sector. It will focus on the macroeconomic framework and its impact on the construction industry and the management of projects along with the global economy and its effects on the domestic market.
• Dissertation
  • Credits: 30
  • The aim of this module is to assist the learner to identify, understand, analyse, and present a completed MSc Thesis.
  This module focuses on the planning, preparation, completion, and writing up of a substantial body of research to form an MSc Thesis. Developing an advanced understanding of research methodologies, research tools, confidentiality and the application of scientific research methods as a problem-solving tool. This encompasses the understanding and application of appropriate project selection, research aspect, research designs, research statistics, critical analysis and data analysis techniques, and applied research project and presentation.

What can you do after this programme?

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this programme, graduates have the opportunity to complete Level 9/10 programmes here at TUS or elsewhere.

Program Outline

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Quantity Surveying – MSc/PGDip - TUS

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Degree Overview:

The MSc in Quantity Surveying is a highly practical Level 9 qualification designed to provide learners with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field. The program aims to:

• Enable learners to acquire a highly practical Level 9 qualification in quantity surveying.
• Create a progression opportunity for Level 8 undergraduates and other learners with a mix of academic qualifications, relevant professional institute membership, and experiential learning gained from working within the built environment.
• Provide entry points to the profession of Quantity Surveying.
• Satisfy the educational requirements to enroll in the SCSI APC (become a chartered quantity surveyor) within one year.
The program is fully accredited by both the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

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Outline:

The program is delivered full-time over one year and is structured as follows:

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Year 1:

• Contract Implementation (Credits: 10): This module focuses on developing the student's understanding of the implementation and review process associated with the Capital Works Management Framework.
• Land Use Planning (Elective) (Credits: 5): This module provides learners with the fundamental principles of land use planning in Ireland and its application in the development management process, including the legislative basis.
• Measurement 1 (Quantification & Sustainable Development) (Credits: 5): This module introduces the essential processes and concepts involved in the measurement and tendering of domestic and commercial projects, exploring the work of the quantity surveyor and the industry.
• Measurement 2 (Quantification & BIM) (Credits: 5): This module expands on Measurement 1, enhancing the learner's ability to create effective tender documentation and introducing cost modeling associated with BIM.
• Procurement & Tendering (Credits: 10): This module explores the strategic approach to public procurement leadership, covering topics like partnering, framework agreements, capital works management framework, e-tendering, Construction procurement reform, and sustainability.
• Cost Planning & Commercial Management (Credits: 5): This module addresses strategic issues raised in Procurement & Tendering, exploring new data analytics, business intelligence, and cost modeling methods.
It also covers the project cycle, programming, sequencing, and cash flow analysis.
• Risk and Knowledge Management (Credits: 10): This module incorporates both Risk Management and Knowledge Management, focusing on their roles and applications within the construction industry.
It addresses commercial risk management, insurance, legislation, compliance, and the development and change of these aspects throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contract Administration & Dispute Management (Credits: 5): This module builds on Contract Implementation, developing the student's knowledge and skills in contract administration and dispute management techniques associated with the Capital Works Management Framework.
• Construction Economics (Elective) (Credits: 5): This module focuses on the application of economic theory to the construction sector, examining the macroeconomic framework and its impact on the industry, project management, and the global economy's effects on the domestic market.
• Dissertation (Credits: 30): This module assists learners in identifying, understanding, analyzing, and presenting a completed MSc Thesis.

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Careers:

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to pursue further studies at Level 9/10 programs at TUS or other institutions.

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Other:

The program is the only one of its type outside of Dublin.