Program Overview

MSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management

About this course

Fast track your career with this RICS accredited Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management Masters from LJMU and prepare for senior management roles.

• Study on a course supported by industrial partners such as Laing O'Rourke and Lovell, and professionally accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Benefit from the internationally recognised research of our Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies (BEST) Research Institute
• Opt for the part-time, day release study option if you are already in employment
• Look forward to career roles as a Contractor, Supply Chain Manager, Consultant or within QS client organisations

This Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management MSc is the ideal degree if you want to move into a senior management role in this highly challenging and dynamic industry.

Cost management of construction processes is vital throughout the life cycle of a project. This requires a good understanding of the commercial aspects of development and construction, and the environment in which these operate.

On this course you will address projects from the perspectives of both demand and supply, and focus on the procurement and financial control of construction projects. The programme is ideally suited to students involved in the procurement of built assets, for example on behalf of project sponsors in the public sector. In addition to RICS accreditation and a Masters qualification, you will also gain many lifelong managerial and professional career skills through the programme.

Course modules

Core modules

• Research Methods (10 credits)
  • This module focuses on your critical understanding of the research process. In preparation for your research study, it also develops skills in research design, implementation and presentation. You will come to understand the differing techniques, strategies and methods used to undertake research in the built environment.
• Dissertation (60 credits)
  • This module develops and tests your ability to prepare a dissertation, based on the study of a subject related to your chosen discipline within the built environment. Dissertation preparation normally takes place after completion of the Postgraduate Diploma stage.
• Construction Technology (10 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to review and analyse construction methods and building services installations for domestic buildings, framed structures, and commercial/industrial buildings.
• Sustainable Procurement (20 credits)
  • In this module you will examine existing procurement options and their effectiveness in meeting the client's requirements. You will also examine sustainable construction and the development of procurement strategies which address sustainable construction principles.
• Construction Contract Strategy (20 credits)
  • In this module you will develop a strategic knowledge and critical appreciation of construction contract law to enable the student to consider in detail the application of it to construction and engineering projects.
• Quantity Surveying Professional Practice (20 credits)
  • This module encourages students to apply the theory, concepts and procedures of quantity surveying professional skills using standard industry practice.
• BIM Enabled Financial Management (20 credits)
  • The aim of this module is to introduce financial management techniques used in construction in order to manage the lifecycle cost of built environment facilities. The module will also deliver the fundamental concepts that link financial management and BIM, such as the cash flow forecasts, cost plans, cost value reconciliation and whole life cycle management of construction facilities.
• Collaborative BIM Project (20 credits)
  • The module is an opportunity for students to follow BIM protocols and practice in a collaborative multidisciplinary project team to achieve project success.

Your Learning Experience

• Teaching methods: You will learn via formal keynote lectures, coursework tasks and guided independent study.
• Applied learning: The programme team has extensive links with both professional bodies and industry this facilitates guest lectures and seminars by leading practitioners.
• Assessment methods: Assessment methods on this programme include examination, assignments, essays, problem solving scenarios, projects and case study based tasks.

Career paths

• Further your career prospects: LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
• When you graduate with an MSc in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, you will enjoy full exemption (excepting the Assessment of Professional Competence) from the RICS educational requirements and be eligible for direct entrance on to the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence professional training programme.

Tuition fees and funding

• Home: £10,250
• International: £18,250
• Fees: The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
• Financial Support: There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
• Additional Costs: In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

• Home:
  • a minimum 2:2 Bachelors Degree with Hons in a relevant subject
  • 2.2 Bachelors Degree with Hons in a non-cognate subject may be considered with relevant experience.
  • a professional qualification with considerable relevant work experience
• International:
  • IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)
  • Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

How to apply

• To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
• You need to demonstrate that you have a sufficient level of knowledge to embark on the programme and to complete it within the time limits. You should provide evidence, at the interview stage, of your learning capabilities and commitment to a postgraduate programme of study.
• Applications from non-standard applicants are welcomed.