Program Overview

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Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management

MSc

Overview

Our MSc in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (QSCM) is designed to meet the challenging demands of the modern learner and the rapidly evolving needs of the construction industry.

This is a coursework only course which brings together both distance and on-campus learners. You will work on real life problems as experienced by the construction industry. And in doing so, develop a broad range of quantity surveying and management skills and knowledge including:

• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• project finance
• technology
• procurement by working.

We consult with companies in the industry to ensure our course is tailored to the employment skills needed by the construction industry. Our longstanding links include prominent and local companies in the sector, such as:

• Mace
• Willmott Dixon
• BAM Construction
• Beards
• Kingerlee
• Bidwells.

Please note, PGCert and PGDip qualifications are offered as exit awards only and are not accredited by RICS or CIOB. Applicants interested in these should apply for the MSc in the first instance.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Industry-Relevant Curriculum

You’ll benefit from the deep knowledge of academics and experienced practitioners.

• Flexible study

You can study full-time on campus for one year or part-time as a distance learner over two years starting in September or January.

• Problem-based learning

Working on real-life problems and case studies you’ll learn the challenges of design and construction management in an engaging and effective way.

• Networking Opportunities

Benefit from extensive alumni and industry networking opportunities with real-world exposure through site visits and field trips.

• Accredited

Globally recognised qualifications accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

• Accreditation(s)

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Chartered Institute of Building

Course details

Course structure

Modes of study

There are two modes of delivery for this course:

• full-time on campus
• part-time on campus
• part-time distance learning.

There are two entry points - September and January.

Please note, PGCert and PGDip qualifications are offered as exit awards only and are not accredited by RICS or CIOB. Applicants interested in these should apply for the MSc in the first instance.

For full-time students lectures are held on two set days every week.

For part-time on campus students, lectures are held on one set day every week.

For distance learners, the virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. Students are supported by email, Zoom, Google Meet, on-line lectures and telephone, and are welcome to attend all lectures on campus. Distance learners are advised to spend two evenings per week and one whole day per weekend on their studies.

There are also intensive on-campus study periods and a field trip, when students from all modes of study come together (attendance is optional).

Learning and teaching

In response to industry feedback we have made our courses more practical by using an 'applied' approach to learning. This is sometimes called 'problem based learning' or PBL. You learn by working through problems that are adapted from complex, real situations. We use our links with industry to help devise the problems we use in class, leading to a more exciting and relevant student experience.

Full-time and part-time on-campus modes

You will receive new material weekly with intermediate tutorials or seminars. There are also intensive study weeks and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study.

Distance learning mode

The virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. You will also be invited to attend (non-compulsory) on-campus intensive study periods and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study. You will be able to contact the Programme Team by email, telephone and through online meetings/tutorials.

Assessment

Assessment is 100% coursework, and includes a variety of types of work.

Our virtual learning environment (VLE), Moodle allows you to:

• download course material
• take quizzes taken remotely
• take part in closed discussions
• keep in contact with other distance and on-campus students.

Field Trips

An optional European field trip is part of the course and typically takes place over a five-day period towards the end of January.

The field trip exposes you to European project management practices, allowing you to:

• consolidate the knowledge gained in the early part of the course
• develop team and other relationships
• assess your ability to observe and report on the different approaches to project management in the UK and in a European country.

The trip normally consists of visits to prominent construction/engineering projects and sites. Plus architectural attractions, both en route and at the destination. You will be introduced to the development and planning practices at the destination. And you will have the opportunity to visit major complex projects.

The majority of the costs are subsidised by the School but there are some additional costs. Please see the Additional costs section of this page for details.

Study modules

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

• People, Leadership and Organisations

This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of how behavioural and organisational issues influence project performance.

It includes an overview of management approaches, an exploration of the issues around understanding self and understanding others, team theory and leadership, communication, conflict theory and resolution, conflict resolution strategies and learning from experience in project environments and also conflict and negotiation in the context of personal and cultural differences.

To a large extent the module adopts a problem based learning (PBL) approach. Here, PBL is facilitated through problem solving exercises that are based on prominent case studies and game play exercises.

• Project Planning, Control and Risk

This module prepares you to manage projects within the built environment through the use of advanced planning and control techniques. You will learn and apply a range of skills in project planning, scheduling, monitoring and control that includes cash flow and capital expenditure analysis, value management, risk and opportunity management and the use of software-based decision support tools as used in industry.

• Managing Technology for Sustainable Environments

Technological innovations and how they are managed are key elements in the development of our built environment. This module introduces these as considerations that should be made at the inception and briefing stages of a project, not as afterthoughts. It also recognises that construction is not devoid of the human dimension - the contexts within which a construction project is situated, including influences of climate, culture, and surrounding and supporting infrastructures are also important. Thus you don’t study developments of technology in isolation, but as part of a continuously innovating industry. In this respect, managing Building Information Modelling (BIM), developments in off-site construction and Low Carbon Construction are covered as part of the module.

• Quantity Surveying Practice

The financial management of project design and construction, whether for client or contractor, is an essential skill in the construction industry. This module helps you to develop this skill. It is designed to initially develop your understanding of the fundamental principles for building and civil engineering measurement. You will gain a good understanding of the standard methods of measurement such as NRM2 and CESMM4, develop quantity take-off skills and understand the key roles and responsibilities of a professional quantity surveyor with particular reference to the construction tendering process and use of BIM.

• Applied Research Methods (10 credits)

This module provides you with the fundamentals of research design highlighting the difference between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and demonstrates how data can be both gathered and analysed and how deductive arguments can be used to produce valid generalisations from data. It also provides you with an overview of particular research techniques such that they can choose and develop those tools most appropriate to their particular research project.

Final project

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation

The dissertation follows on from Applied Research Methods and aims not only to generate new knowledge or insights but also to develop your capacity to undertake rigorous research, to plan and execute an extended project and to communicate complex ideas effectively in words and graphically. By conducting your own primary research, you work with a supervisor from within the department to produce an original piece of work of publishable quality.

Research

Many members of staff are part of the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD). This research and promotional organisation is noted for its work on sustainable technology in buildings and sustainable urban form among many ongoing projects.

Areas of interest include:

• sustainability, adaptation and resilience to climate change
• Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• collaborative supply networks for procurement and delivery of project
• building economics
• forecasting techniques
• risk management
• social networks in project environments
• managing complex projects
• management of knowledge and innovation as a source of competitive advantage
• adaptive re-use of existing buildings
• facilities management
• health and safety.

Careers

Graduates of our postgraduate construction programmes have an outstanding employment record. Our graduates are recognised as having excellent levels of communication, presentation and problem-solving skills. Consequently, our students go on to be employed across the broad spectrum of the construction industries both locally and internationally.

Many of these companies visit the department annually to meet students for graduate positions whilst all of our distance learning students are employed full time by prominent companies in the sector.

As our programmes are accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), our graduates are firmly on the path to become professionally chartered, opening up excellent recognition for future career progression.

Graduates from the course will normally go on to become Quantity Surveyors within the construction industries, for which currently there are excellent job opportunities.

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in any discipline.

We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees - who can evidence relevant experience, or a sustained managerial role in another profession.

Industry professionals with relevant practice qualifications (e.g MRICS, MCIOB) - demonstrating ability to study at master's level, are also encouraged to apply.

For Distance-Learning study, it is recommended that applicants have at least six months work experience in the built environment sector.

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.

OR

An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £10,800
• Home (UK) part time: £5,400
• Home (UK) distance learning: £5,400
• International full time: £17,950
• International distance learning part time: £8,975

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: £11,250
• Home (UK) part time: £5,625
• Home (UK) distance learning: £5,625
• International full time: £18,500
• International distance learning part time: £9,250

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

• It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. (From £30)
• You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. (£20-60 per book)
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) (£94-265 per week)
• Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) (£122-180 per week)
• Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. (Typically £0-200)
• Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. For the 2025/26 academic year, the University is introducing an alternative subsidised travel offer for all students with further information on our Travel webpages. (From £10)