Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Introduction:

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.

This course 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).

We're ranked Top 10 in the UK for Building graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times University Guide, 2023).

NTU is joint 2nd for the percentage of Construction, Surveying and Planning graduates in graduate-level jobs or further study within 15 months of completing their degrees (Guardian University Guide, 2023).

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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Course accreditation

Program Outline

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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

Year Two

Year Three

Final Year

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Numerical and Professional Skills for the Construction Industry (20 credits)

This module has a two-fold purpose: to provide you with an opportunity to develop your employability skills, developing your English language skills including writing and referencing, and provide you with the opportunity to discuss your personal and academic development.

You'll also develop your numerical skills appropriately in order to provide the basis of knowledge required for a professional graduate role in the construction industry.

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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.

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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.

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Sustainable Technology (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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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How you’re taught

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How will I learn?

You'll spend approximately 10 hours per week in scheduled learning. This includes lectures, supported by smaller group sessions including seminars, tutorials, laboratory sessions, and workshops. You'll also be involved in self-directed project work 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.

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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 substantive costs – including travel and accommodation – will be paid for by the school. Optional trips may also be organised which can provide additional opportunities to enhance your knowledge and experience. The optional trips may incur a cost.

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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.

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Contact hours

Year One	Lectures/seminars/workshops	29%	Independent study	71%
Year Two	Lectures/seminars/workshops	26%	Independent study	74%
Year Three	Optional placement year
Year Four	Lectures/seminars/workshops	20%	Independent study	80%

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Further information

100% of students studying BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Construction Management FT would recommend studying at NTU to others.

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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 100% of research submitted by the Centre of the Built Environment was assessed to be either world-leading or international excellent.

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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.

NTU is joint 2

nd

in the UK for the percentage of Construction, Surveying and Planning graduates in graduate-level jobs, further education or professional study within 15 months of graduating (Guardian University Guide, 2023).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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Professional qualification

Successful completion of the 36 weeks leads to an extra qualification – the Diploma in Professional Practice, which will further enhance your CV.

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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.