Overview
The United Nations predicts a global population of 9.8 billion by 2050. Consequently, construction professionals are increasingly being called upon to create and maintain the social and commercial infrastructure needed to accommodate such large-scale growth.
Building surveyors are involved in all aspects of property and construction, from overseeing huge commercial developments to planning domestic extensions, from maintaining heritage buildings to resolving planning disputes between landlords and tenants. Building surveying is a multidisciplinary subject, encompassing the fields of building pathology, construction technology, surveying techniques, design and specification, conservation and restoration, measurement of land and property, legal and regulatory compliance, contract administration, costing of construction works.
This professionally accredited course* is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to give expert advice on construction, maintenance, repair and refurbishment of buildings, always ensuring compliance with statutory regulations. What’s more, we will encourage you to develop the innovation and creativity required to tackle the complex problems now facing the industry around space, sustainability, cost and resilience, thanks to the growing instability of the world’s climate.
* This course is currently accredited by The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
This course is accredited by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), having been judged to meet the RICS Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications will have full academic exemption and can apply for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) in order progress to Chartered Membership.
The APC requires a minimum of two years of work experience requiring the applicant to prepare a log book and keep a diary of relevant experience in accordance with RICS competencies before becoming eligible for a professional interview.
Our Facilities
Materials Laboratory
Includes industrial standard timber and steel workshops, a concrete mixing area with 3 pan mixers, programmable environmental chambers, a range of ovens and curing tanks and various materials testing apparatus.
Simulation Centre
Our interactive training centre is used to create a ‘virtual’ construction site with fully-equipped site cabins and observation deck. Students undertake role play exercises to help prepare them for situations in the workplace.
Structures Laboratory
Includes eight test frames, two of which are fully programmable ‘top of the range’ Instron universal test machines. It also includes a strong floor area with associated framing and ancillary measurement devices.
What our students say...
The University has a strong emphasis toward industry experience, supporting me in securing a 12-month placement with a surveying firm specialising in property disputes. The industrial placement gave a huge insight into the infrastructure industry, allowing me to explore the various branches a surveyor can practice. Due to the legal nature of this work, combined with the expert teaching on law and contract modules, I obtained a first class and am now undertaking a training contract at an international law firm specialising in construction and engineering law.
Course information
The course content has evolved over a number of years and in development with our industry partners we have developed a course structure to provide a mix of technical skills and digital/technological knowledge to equip you for working in this growing sector, and preparing you for future developments in this fast moving industry.
Course Specification
Download PDF
Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
We're ranked 4th in the UK for our Building and Town and Country Planning courses in the Guardian University Guide 2020.
In more detail...
This professionally accredited course* is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to give expert advice on construction, maintenance, repair and refurbishment of buildings, always ensuring compliance with statutory regulations. What’s more, we will encourage you to develop the innovation and creativity required to tackle the complex problems now facing the industry around space, sustainability, cost and resilience, thanks to the growing instability of the world’s climate.
A unique aspect of the BSc (Hons) Building Surveying course and a very good reason to choose Coventry University is our access and use of our Simulation Centre which is located on our main campus. The facility allows us to simulate ‘real life’ construction scenarios and engage our students in role play. A control room in the simulation centre monitors the activity of students via cameras allowing staff to provide immediate feedback. Simulated exercises should help to prepare our building surveying students for the challenges of the professional world and ease the transition into the workplace after graduation.
Opportunity to gain additional professional qualifications (at no extra cost, application required) as well as your degree:
- An Autodesk certificate in Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Undergo a Building Research Establishment Energy Assessment Method (BREEAM) course to become an Accredited Graduate (BREEAM AG)
- Undergo the Building Information Modelling course and become an accredited graduate (BIM AG)
- Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS card)
Teaching is highly practical; throughout the course, you will draw on real-life case studies, such as undertaking a real building survey for a client and presenting your findings to their asset management team, and you will participate in integrated project work, where theory is put into practice as soon as it is learnt.
- Common first year makes it possible to transfer to architectural technology, construction management, quantity surveying or commercial management honours degrees in the second year if you wish.
- Apply for a full year work placement which can count towards your professional Chartered status**.
- Expert visiting lecture series, which has previously featured a professional building pathologist, who delivered sessions on damp investigation and remediation (subject to availability).
- Study on shared modules alongside students on a wide range of other professional disciplines, such as construction management, architectural technology, quantity surveying, building services engineering and civil engineering, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of today’s construction industry.
- Collaborative links with universities in more than 20 countries around the world, giving you the chance for you to spend part of your studies abroad.
You will be taught by current staff with academic and professional experience in building surveying, architectural practice, civil engineering and the construction industry, having worked in a variety of professional roles such as building surveying, quantity surveying, construction management, architectural technology and a wide range of professional organisations.
We also currently have a strong portfolio of industry-related research, particularly in the areas of low carbon building technology, sustainable construction materials and engineering education, which ensures you stay abreast of new technologies and emerging issues. Many of our current staff are active researchers and actively engage with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Building surveying offers a rewarding and challenging career where no two days are ever likely to be the same. You could find yourself involved in all aspects of construction and it is now one of the broadest areas of surveying practice, taking in projects from a domestic extension to a major retail development. Building surveyors offer advice on many aspects of design and construction, including maintenance, repair, refurbishment and restoration of proposed and existing buildings. They offer quality assessments and report on defects in, or ways of improving, all kinds of buildings. As well as finding structural faults, building surveyors recommend solutions. They can advise on the feasibility of a building project, and how much it might cost to carry out, or how suitable a building could be for a particular purpose.
Building surveying work can also involve drawing up detailed plans, and advising on whether a grant might be available. Building surveyors instruct architects to prepare detailed plans and help provide estimates for the work. While work is going on, building surveyors’ project manage, are responsible for budgets and oversee work on site.
Finally, building surveyors are responsible for dealing with planning applications and advise on property law, building regulations and other legal matters such as health and safety. In building and contract disputers, building surveyors can act as expert witnesses or represent their clients.
You will also have opportunities to apply for industrial placements** with a range of local and regional companies where you can exercise your technical skills in a professional environment. Students are strongly advised to avail themselves of the ‘sandwich’ as opposed to the ‘full-time’ mode of study, the principal benefits being that the employment experience should make students more employable and they gain a wider knowledge of their chosen building discipline.
* This course is currently accredited by The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditation of this course change, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
** Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
- Apply for a full year work placement* which can count towards your professional Chartered status. Further information about becoming Chartered can be found on the RICS website.
* Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student. - A common first year makes it possible to transfer to our degrees in architectural technology, construction management or quantity surveying and commercial management in the second year if you wish.
- Current collaborative links with universities in 20 countries around the world, giving you the chance for you to spend part of your studies abroad*
- Full accreditation from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)**, which is a requirement on the path towards membership of the RICS (additional costs may apply).
** This course is currently accredited by The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the 2021/22 intake. If the accreditation of this course change, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible. - Opportunity to gain additional professional qualifications as well as your degree (at no extra cost, application required) – an Autodesk certificate in Computer Aided Design (CAD), undergo a Building Research Establishment Energy Assessment Method (BREEAM) to become an Accredited Graduate (BREEAM AG) and Undergo the Building Information Modelling course and become an accredited graduate (BIM AG)
- Study on shared modules alongside students on a wide range of other professional disciplines, such as, construction management, architectural technology, quantity surveying and Commercial Management , building services engineering and civil engineering, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of today’s construction industry.
Our main study themes are:
- Building surveying: You will first be introduced to understand the processes and restrictions for adapting an existing commercial building into residential units. You will be using industry standard 3D software and plan layouts to analyse an existing concrete framed building with the view to adapting its layout and changing its use from an office to a residential tower block and also understand the principles of building defects, their analysis and diagnosis, and their required remedial action. As the course progresses, we will explore the fundamental principles of the range of professional skills needed by a Building Surveyor in practice e.g. Practical surveying skills, measurement of buildings, condition surveys, report writing to a professional standard, professional presentations, health and safety on site and environmental issues.
We will also consider to study the influence of current legislative, contractual, cultural, scientific and technological changes in the construction industry and its impact on the process of construction design and management. Areas which may be considered include low carbon construction, corporate social and ethical responsibility, existing and proposed legislative changes, and changes to contractual arrangements, productivity issues, internationalisation, use and dissemination of best practice, BIM, Passive Design etc. This module will be research content lead and inspired by contemporary issues affecting the industry, and as such the content and delivery method will be altered and/or adjusted appropriately to reflect the above theme. - Construction technology: You will have the chance to develop an understanding of various aspects of the design and construction of sustainable and comfortable buildings, by incorporating the most appropriate construction technology and building materials. We will consider the design, construction and environmental performances of low-rise buildings, multi-storey and commercial framed structures, within the context of legislative influences on the layout and planning of buildings and the impact of energy conservation and climate change. We will also explore the range of building services which are installed to provide a suitable internal environment including acoustic, thermal, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
- Multi-disciplinary working: Modern construction projects are carried out with high levels of collaboration between various elements of the design and construction team, as such throughout the course you will develop this multi-disciplinary ethos completing projects as part of a team at all levels. This will enable an understanding of practices by other members of the team as well as the skills needed to coordinate and negotiate within this environment.
This course can be studied full-time over three years or four years with a sandwich year being taken between the second and third years of study. The programme may also be followed part-time (from year 2 onwards). Part time students study alongside full time and sandwich students. The timetable is arranged to facilitate part time students to study approximately half of a full-time stage of study in any one academic year. The course structure is detailed in the course specification download.
The course is taught using lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratories, workshop and studio sessions, supervised by academic and technical support staff. In addition, whenever possible your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice. We try to provide you with as much real-life experience as possible and are fortunate that the city of Coventry has such a rich medieval history, offering excellent examples of many period buildings within walking distance of the university’s main campus.
The highly practical nature of the course enables you to work with staff and students on real-world problems from industry, commerce and research groups. This means that while you learn the technical content of your degree, these projects develop the professional skills required including: problem analysis and design; project, task and time management; risk assessment; team work and leadership; technical report and bench assessment; troubleshooting and more.
A number of staff who currently teach on the course are Chartered building surveyors, who can provide help and guidance in relation to the process of becoming a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), specifically in relation to your post-degree assessment of professional competence, which comprises a written submission and professional interview carried out by the RICS regional training advisor.
There are group project modules at each stage of the course. They give you the opportunity to integrate content from across the course for application in realistic projects, often drawn from industry. They are primarily a mechanism for developing your non-technical skills and employability; for example group work, communication and project management, and also the building project modules deliberately designed to further develop your understanding and practice of the role of construction professionals within the building process in the UK and also in the global context, developing your skills of communication through drawing and model making which are vital to ensuring that ideas are understood and can be implemented.
Field trips and site visits will allow building surveying students, along with other students within the school, to participate in a wider range of field trips and study visits*. These trips/visits will give you the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and skills of the built environment and key building surveying issues on a local, regional, national and international basis.
* This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
Meet our staff
Gary O'Neill
Gary O'Neill is a Senior Lecturer teaching aspects of the Building Surveying BSc course.
Read full profileThis course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include formal examinations, practical or project work, coursework, essays, phase test group work and presentations and posters.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes. Much of the assessment on the Building Surveying course is summative, although formative assessment is used in numerous modules for example the level 1 and 2 practice modules and the level 3 applied building surveying module. As part of the Year 2 building pathology module, building surveying students undertake a building survey and produce a report for a client (over the last few years this has been Severn Trent Plc).
As part of the assessment they are required to present their findings to the Client’s Asset/Property Management team at their offices. This allows our students to have a very real experience of the types of things that they will be doing when they graduate.
On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:
- The key concepts, theories and principles used in construction, property and surveying. These will include legal principles; design, construction technology, performance of buildings; building defect identification and analysis; building adaptation; historic buildings and application of building surveying techniques.
- Contemporary global issues facing the building surveying profession and driving change within it, for example, the sustainability/environmental agenda.
- Professional ethics, their impact on the operation of the building surveying profession and their influence on the society; conflict avoidance/dispute resolution; communities and the stakeholders with whom they have contact.
- Skills that promote safe working environments and safe buildings for habitation and use.
- Select and use effectively a range of appropriate means of communication including information technology.
On successful completion, will be able to:
- Work effectively with others within the context of a multidisciplinary team respecting the respective inputs from fellow professionals, client(s), and other stakeholders and reflecting on one's own performance and role within the team.
- Present quantitative and qualitative information, together with analysis, argument and commentary, in a form appropriate to the intended audience, including appropriate acknowledgement and referencing of sources.
- Produce professional reports in accordance with published conventions and/or client expectations.
- Analyse, interpolate and present information.
- Analyse and solve construction problems of a technical and managerial nature.
- Analyse data and information sources in construction.
Actual teaching contact hours will vary depending on the level of study and the requirements of a particular semester. In a typical week your contact hours will be divided amongst personal tutorials and small group teaching; medium group teaching (e.g. seminars, tutorial sessions, lab sessions and workshops); and large group teaching (lectures).
In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week depending on the demands of individual modules. The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 12 contact hours per week in the final year as you become a more independent learner.
Intercultural and international engagement within the education strategy is closely aligned to the global strategy and we aim to provide an expanded understanding of global issues through learning. You will have the opportunity to go on at least one part-funded field trip overseas*. Please note that bursaries may be available to assist with funding field trips. Such funding and/or bursaries will be subject to availability and meeting eligibility criteria. If a student is unable to attend a trip, the student will be required to undertake alternative coursework.
As the construction industry and the built environment throughout the world is fast paced and constantly changing, there are trends in building type, location, geographic challenges, social challenges considered throughout the course. You will be provided with the chance to access international mobility opportunities* through the various advertising media that is provided throughout the university (student portal, social media etc.).
In recent years, there have been opportunities for building surveying students to go on international exchange trips to Paris and Rennes which were advertised through the student portal. Alternatively, you have the option of extending your degree by taking a sandwich year studying abroad*; we will endeavour to provide support in finding a suitable placement.
*Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
For more information, please visit our Finance pages.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.Course essentials - additional costs: This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas. This course may incur additional costs associated with any equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Building Surveyors play a pivotal role in the construction industry. Building surveyors are involved in all aspects of property and construction, from overseeing huge commercial developments to planning domestic extensions, from maintaining heritage buildings to resolving planning disputes between landlords and tenants.
Building Surveyors play a pivotal role in the construction industry. Building surveyors are involved in all aspects of property and construction, from overseeing huge commercial developments to planning domestic extensions, from maintaining heritage buildings to resolving planning disputes between landlords and tenants.
Building surveying is a multidisciplinary subject, encompassing the fields of building pathology, construction technology, surveying techniques, design and specification, conservation and restoration, measurement of land and property, legal and regulatory compliance, contract administration, costing of construction works. Building surveyors add value to a project through their unique blend of construction knowledge, design flair and property expertise, they know about building defects, building regulations, the ins and outs of construction contracts, the hazards of dilapidations, every element of health and safety regulations, with a shortage of suitably skilled individuals, employment prospects are excellent.
With its practical focus, the course is intended to prepare you to enter professional roles on graduation and you have the option to gain work experience by spending a year on professional placement* Our Talent Team will help you find a suitable appointment. We also currently have direct placement agreements with National Grid UK and United Utility Plc, as well as fieldtrip opportunities*.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. The university’s Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career.
* Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Where our graduates work
Our graduates have found employment in private practices, commercial organisations and local/central government, regionally, nationally and internationally. They work with companies such as Mace, Galliford Try, Balfour Beatty plc, Lain O’ Rourke, Barrett Home Ltd, Watts Construction Ltd, and BAM Construction.
What our students say...
The course at Coventry University is ever changing, which is great for an ever changing industry. Some modules are very applicable to real life projects, which is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills and apply skills that have been gained through the placement year.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
