Building Surveying BSc (Hons)
Study level: Undergraduate
This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to give expert advice on construction, maintenance, repair and refurbishment of buildings, and aims to teach you how to always ensure compliance with statutory regulations.
Course option
Year of entry
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years full-time (study abroad or work placement)
5 years part-time
UCAS codes
K230
Start date
September 2023
Course overview
The United Nations predicts a global population of 9.7 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.
- 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.
- 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 and costing of construction works.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
Distinctive and innovative features:
- You will also have access to our unique Simulation centre4, where we can provide real life scenarios for you to engage with making you even more prepared for entering the workplace.
- Access to the advanced technology such as VR, 3D Scanners, Thermal Imaging Cameras, Drones will enable you to prepare for the challenges of the professional world and ease the transition into the workplace after graduation.
- We enjoy excellent links with local and national employers and many provide direct input into course development as members of our Building Advisory Boards.
- A common first year makes it possible for students to undertake multi-disciplinary learning alongside other built environment related professions.
Accreditation and professional recognition
The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
This course is accredited by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) up to and including 2025, 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 to progress to Chartered Membership. For more information visit https://www.rics.org/uk/surveying-profession/join-rics/
What you'll study
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.
How you'll learn
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.
Several staff who currently teach on the course are Chartered building surveyors. They 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 (staff subject to change).
Teaching contact hours
We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:
- On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
- Group work
- Self-directed learning
- Work placement opportunities2.
The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 14-15 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 11 contact hours per week in the final year as you become a more independent learner.
This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
In addition, you will be expected to undertake approximately 30-35 hours of self-directed study per week depending on the demands of individual modules. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Coursework
- Reports
- Projects
- Phase tests
- Group work
- Presentations
- Laboratories
- Posters
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
International experience opportunities
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 overseas2. 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.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,250 per year | Request fee information |
EU | £9,250 per year with EU support bursary** £19,850 per year without EU support bursary** |
Not available |
International | £19,850 per year | Not available |
If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
Other additional costs
- Mandatory international field trips: Typically between £200 and £400 per trip.
*Irish student fees
The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.
**EU support bursary
Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
The £50m Engineering and Computing Building and new £25m Beatrice Shilling Building are designed to support hands-on learning. Our Sir John Laing Building also houses a variety of industry-standard labs4 and equipment.

Simulation Centre
Our interactive training centre includes a ‘virtual’ construction site with fully equipped site cabins and an observation deck. Here, you can take part in role-play exercises to prepare you for a range of 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.

Materials laboratory
Includes industrial standard timber and steel workshops, a concrete mixing area with three pan mixers, programmable environmental chambers, a range of ovens and curing tanks and various materials testing apparatus.
Careers and opportunities
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, you 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.
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.
Where our graduates work
Our graduates from similar courses 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.
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Construction Project and Cost Management MSc, Construction Project Management with BIM MSc or Sustainability and Environmental Management MSc. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 can apply for this course through UCAS from 6 September 2022. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International codes:
EECU117Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 should apply directly to the university.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
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 2023/24 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.
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