Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Engineering: Civil, Construction and Surveying
- Undergraduate
Launch your career in quantity surveying with ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, ranked No.3 in London for Construction, Surveying and Planning (The Guardian University Guide 2024). This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ is also actively involved in Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and can help you in the process of qualifying as a chartered surveyor.
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Learn the role of a quantity surveyor in the construction lifecycle
Our links with industry and professional bodies ensure you’ll gain hands-on industry experience.
First-year students benefit from private views of new developments in London, thanks to property management company CBRE. Executives from the company have also talked to students on issues such as letting, rents and services. You also might take part in mock hearings and workshops.
Most surveying students undertake a year's work placement, which contributes towards their professional training period. Placement destinations have included:
- DTZ
- Savills
- Franklin and Andrews
- Grosvenor Plc
- Jones Lang LaSalle
- Knight Frank
- London Borough of Wandsworth
- Montagu Evans
- WS Atkins
- Lambert Smith Hampton
I loved my course mainly because my lecturers were really engaging and passionate about their subjects. My hard work on the course was rewarded with a first-class honours degree, and an RICS award for outstanding work on my BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying course. Although it is great to be recognised, this was only achieved through hard work. I would recommend ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ to anyone who is willing to make the effort to achieve success. I now work for Faithful+Gould as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor and am actively working to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.
Why choose this course
This accredited degree can provide the first step on your journey to becoming a quantity surveyor. It reflects the technical, economic, legal and managerial expertise required in this industry.
Throughout the course, you'll gain a business perspective, giving you understanding of the construction industry and its relationship to the consultancy market. You'll graduate with a sound knowledge of the construction and development process and a range of financial and project management techniques.
Through an independent research project, you'll also have the chance to study a topic of your choice in depth.
In addition, we offer a Quantity Surveying (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship programme. If you enrol on this course, you'll typically spend one day a week at university rather than your place of employment. There will also be learning activities and training at your workplace.
Kingston is No.3 in London for Construction, Surveying and Planning (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Building (CIOB).
Becoming a chartered surveyor
The most popular route is:
1. complete a degree accredited by the RICS, such as this degree at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ; and then
2. successfully complete structured training, which ends in an assessment of your competence to practise (Assessment of Professional Competence [APC]).
We are actively involved in APC, including preparation courses, and several staff members are RICS assessors. This means that ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ can help you from the start of your undergraduate degree right through to your registration as a chartered surveyor.
Course content
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Year 1
Year 1 explores the legal, technical and economic context in which construction professionals work. There are modules in sustainable design and development and construction technology. These will prepare you for measurement - one of the core technical skills of a quantity surveyor.
In the first year, students will be introduced to Navigate (a Future Skills module which aimed to assist students in making the transition to Higher Education, develop strong foundations of self-awareness, self-motivation and generate a sense of belonging to their course and ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ), sustainability, climate literacy, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Core modules
15 credits
Students are introduced to their course learning aims and anticipated learning targets from induction to graduation. Students are guided to identify and take ownership of their personal academic journey through the development and application of academic skills aligned to KU Graduate Attributes and their discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes.
15 credits
You'll be introduced to the principles of measurement of construction work. You'll focus on the detailed quantification of simple buildings in order to gain an understating of industry rules and conventions for measuring construction work and their application.
Upon completion, you should be able to competently measure the building envelope of simple residential buildings.
15 credits
This module explores insights into human resource management and organisational behaviour to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to managing employees and organisations in the built environment.
Insights from this module support your appreciation of socioeconomic and other cultural characteristics of construction organisations. These could include recruitment and selection, leadership, employee motivation, team dynamics, and organisational cultural shifts.
15 credits
This module give you an overview of the modern English legal system, with a specific focus on key legislative and regulatory frameworks. It covers essential aspects of contract law and introduces elements of tort law relevant to the construction industry.
Additionally, you will explore regulations and statutory acts that are applicable in the UK construction sector. You will learn to employ appropriate legal methodologies to address scenario-based legal problems.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the national and international construction industry. You'll learn about its structure, key stakeholders, and societal impact. The importance of the construction industry will be analysed along with contextual factors that regulate and influence its operation. The role of important players in the construction sector will also be examined.
You will be introduced to basic economic theory and its application to the industry as well as the fundamentals of the management of organisations. Professional ethics and rules of conduct and other closely related competencies will also be considered in this module.
The module will be delivered in a series of lectures and small group sessions including seminars, tutorials, and workshop sessions. You will be assessed through a mixture of coursework and exams.
30 credits
This is a core technology module where you will explore alternative construction materials and technologies used for low-rise built facilities. You will learn about the impact of construction methods and materials on important issues, including building regulations, health, safety and welfare regulations, sustainability and the environment.
By the end of the module, you should have developed a fundamental knowledge of building types, and be able to interpret drawings, produce sketches and appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction materials and service solutions.
Year 2
Students will examine more complex commercial structures and will be introduced to cost-planning techniques and contract law. You'll study the pre- / post-contract financial and contract administration duties of the quantity surveyor. Moreover, you'll learn digitization in construction (i.e., using REVIT and BIM related software), construction technology including its environmental services.
Core modules
15 credits
This module introduces you to procurement strategies for executing construction projects and the intricacies of contract administration. The course identifies the various procurement routes for different project circumstances. The module further extends your critical knowledge and understanding of the contract administration and financial management duties of the project manager.
Although there will be lectures, the teaching and learning emphasis will focus on developing your core knowledge and interpersonal skills using scenarios, workshops and a day field trip to an ongoing project in a major city in England. This will help increase your problem-solving competencies and communication skills development. The module will be assessed by coursework.
15 credits
This module provides insights into the construction of commercial and other buildings. The module will extend your knowledge and skills in construction technology and services, from the basic types of construction to framed and more complex commercial structures.
By the end of the module, you should have developed a critical knowledge of building types, be able to interpret drawings, produce sketches and appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction materials and services solutions.
15 credits
This module considers the principles and practices for the design and management of engineering projects. The nature of engineering project management is discussed in the context of constraints on quality, time, risk, and sustainability. The module broadens your knowledge of how organisations undertake and monitor projects.
30 credits
This module builds on students' understanding of the basic principles of measurement developed at Level 4. It focuses on the detailed quantification and costing of complex buildings and engineering projects and aims to enable students to gain working knowledge of the principal methods of measurement and their application in such complex construction works. Upon completion students should be able to carry out building and civil engineering works measurement competently.
The module is taught by a series of lectures. These will be supported by workshops and tutorials during which students will be expected to take an active part by applying to worked examples as formative work.
Measurement and costing of construction work are core skills of the quantity surveyor that underpin the procurement and cost management of construction projects. This module will develop students' competence in this subject area which is vital to quantity surveying practice.
30 credits
This module builds on the students' understanding of economic principles developed at Level 4 and aims to apply these into the context of property and construction investment. Students will develop cost management techniques and skills used during design development of capital and building maintenance work. Emphasis will be placed on order of cost estimating; cost planning techniques based on elemental analysis; and the relationship between building morphology and costs.
Topics will also include development appraisal, value management, life cycle costing, risk quantification, cost data management, cost reporting, and benchmarking. Upon completion, students will be able to apply the concepts and practice of construction cost management in real-life scenarios.
The module is taught by lectures and seminars in which students will be expected to take an active role.
The ability to provide clients and other members of the design team with accurate estimates and reliable cost advice at various stages of design development is a core competence of quantity surveyors. Vital decisions made at this stage of project development are based on these estimates and cost advice. This module will develop in students the competence required for quantity surveying practice in this subject area.
15 credits
The module provides an in-depth understanding of digital technologies and construction-related information modelling in the built environment context. You will learn how digital construction has revolutionised the construction industry and how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its closely related digital technologies are used as tools for the realisation of the Construction Industry 4.0.
The course covers various aspects of digital design, construction, and operation and maintenance, including the knowledge and use of tools related to BIM, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and geographic information system. You will learn about BIM software, collaboration techniques, and project delivery methods.
You will also develop digital skills and knowledge such as data management, quantification, project team collaboration and cost analysis.
Final year
Final year students will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the University and reflect on these interactions through Applied (a Future Skills module) where students will demonstrate the ability to apply their developing professional skills competencies in their chosen area, and prepare for employment and entrepreneurship.
Final year has modules in consultancy and project management. These cover the consultant-client relationship, organisational change management, project control and project team leadership. The course culminates in a major group project, along with an independent research project. You'll have the chance to study, in depth, a relevant topic of your choice.
Core modules
15 credits
This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal aspects related to construction projects. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal framework governing the construction industry, particularly in contract administration and management.
This module enhances your analytical and critical thinking abilities when confronted with legal and professional practice challenges. It promotes a holistic comprehension of sustainability in the context of the built environment and provides an in-depth examination of construction disputes and the commonly employed methods of dispute resolution.
You will acquire practical techniques for effective time management, develop proficiency in locating, interpreting, using and referencing legal sources, and cultivate essential attributes valued by the construction industry, including collaboration, team building, critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, initiative and creativity.
15 credits
You will demonstrate the ability to apply your professional skills in your chosen area, and gain a broad understanding of the business environment in which professional activities are undertaken. The module will develop the technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment, and prepare you for employment and entrepreneurship.
You will participate in ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ's Bright Ideas competition where you will work as a team to develop a business idea. To do this you will need to interact with relevant stakeholders outside the University.
You will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the University and reflect on these interactions. This may include participation in co-curricular events such as subject-specific and career development events, and networking opportunities offered by subject-specific professional bodies. You'll leverage interactions with professionals in the development of your final year research project, and reflect on the co-benefits of these interactions.
15 credits
This module introduces you to project management processes and tools and provides an overview of the project manager's role and function at different stages of the project life cycle.
Standards of professional and ethical conduct will be explored. You'll consider the appraisal of options leading to the developing of a business case and feasibility report as well as pre-construction planning and site establishment.
You will attend a series of lectures and practical sessions and are expected to take an active role by applying your knowledge to practical scenarios. The module is assessed by a client report.
15 credits
This is a core module taken by Building Surveying, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying students at Level 6. The module provides an in-depth understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Construction Information Management System (CIMS) in the construction industry.
It covers various topics related to BIM and CIMS, including their application, benefits, challenges and future developments. The module will begin by recapping the fundamental concepts of BIM and CIMS, including the evolution of BIM and its importance in the construction industry. It will then delve into the different stages of BIM and CIMS, including modelling, collaboration, documentation, and analysis.
The module will cover various software tools that are commonly used in BIM and CIMS, such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks and BIM 360. This module is to enable the students to apply and evaluate the key principles of BIM with the students undertaking a collaborative interdisciplinary project to apply and develop their skills in a scenario-based group project.
Finally, the course will discuss the future trends and developments in BIM and CIMS, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Virtual Reality (VR) in construction.
30 credits
This module integrates knowledge and skills students acquired in the complete suite of modules of this programme. It enables students to develop a deeper understanding of cross subject synergies. The module provides the framework for advanced practical applications of quantity surveying knowledge and skills into consultancy practice and scenarios.
Students will learn how to develop and implement a consultancy strategy and provide reasoned advice and complete solutions to clients on a wide range of issues. They will be expected to think strategically and develop their own skills awareness for developmental project needs.
The module includes a capstone project which builds on work undertaken by students during a field trip. The module is delivered by keynote lectures and workshops.
30 credits
This is a core module for Level 6 BSc students. The individual project is an opportunity to explore a subject of the student's own choice and to initiate, design and execute a small-scale research project under supervision.
The work in the project will draw upon material from all modules previously or currently taught and provide a culmination to their degree. Additionally, this allows the students to develop and practice their research skills which will be invaluable for the future.
The students are encouraged to work independently, study a topic in depth, review previous work, collect, and interpret and analyse information. This is also intended to develop students' ability to communicate clearly and succinctly orally, graphically and in writing.
In undertaking the work, students should demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing literature and in using one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions. To support the student a series of workshops will be given along with individual one-to-one supervision to ensure the student is supported throughout the process.
Assessment is by submission of an initial formative research statement, and summative assessments comprise an interim report and the completed project.
Extended degree with foundation year
Our Foundation Year in Built Environment is ideal if you would like to join one of our civil engineering, construction or surveying honours degrees but need a preparatory period of study.
It provides an alternative entry route if you do not meet our standard entry requirements but have the ability to succeed at degree-level study.
Future Skills and career opportunities
You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills to begin your career as a chartered quantity surveyor.
Embedded within the Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) course and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our dedication to Future Skills.
The intention of Future Skills is to provide you with expertise valued by global business employers. We’ll focus on combining your business acumen with problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these skills. As a result, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and understanding to give you the edge in a competitive employment market.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include placements, project work, workshops, workshops in computer labs, and laboratory workshops.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 21% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 81%; practical 19%
- Year 2: Coursework 88%; practical 12%
- Year 3: Coursework 78%; exams 12%; practical 10%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 15 students and lecture sizes are normally 15Â-105Â. However this can vary by module and academic year.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Chancerygate Foundation Bursary
The Chancerygate Foundation Bursary is worth up to £10,000 per year for each year of study. To be considered, you must identify as Black British (African or Caribbean) and have a family household income of less than £25,000 per annum.
For more information on how to apply for this bursary, visit the Chancerygate Foundation Bursary page.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will supply you with a lab coat, hard hat and safety goggles at the start of the year. A £10 voucher will be supplied to help cover the cost of the safety boots when purchasing with our supplier, Activity Work Wear. Safety boots can range in cost between £25 and £100. You may also need to purchase equipment when going on site visits, such as safety gloves. This should cost approximately £50 over the three to four year course.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
It is not compulsory as part of your degree to print projects using the 3D printer. However, if you wish to, you will need to pay for the material. Printing costs are estimated by weight (the cheapest material is 3p per gram and the most expensive material is 40p per gram).
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I have always had an interest in buildings and an appreciation of architecture. This led me to choose Property Planning and Development, which focuses on the practical side of the built environment and provides the opportunity to gain a professional qualification. I chose Kingston for a number of reasons: its proximity to London – a great thriving metropolis that always excites; the professional placement – a chance to get some hands-on experience; the excellent reputation held by the School of Surveying in the property industry; and the accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The course was both interesting and challenging, which I think is how a degree course should be. It allowed me to gain an in-depth appreciation of the technical side of surveying and apply that knowledge to real situations. I definitely became more passionate about the subject as time went by. My placement year in industry was one of the highlights of the degree. It enabled me to develop professionally and bolstered my technical knowledge. It also refocused me when I returned to the University to complete my final year.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
