Building Surveying BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: K230
International Code: EECU023
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich
Duration
3 years full-time
4 years sandwich
5 years part-time
Start date
September 2022
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
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.
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, costing of construction works.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
- 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.
- Current 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.*
- 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)
of Building Surveying students agreed they were satisfied with the quality of the course.
DiscoverUni 2021
Accreditation 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.
If the accreditation of this course changes, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
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.

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
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:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Laboratories
- Workshop and studio sessions
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.
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.
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. Please request information about studying this course part-time.
Assessment
This 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.
Job ready
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.
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 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.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2022/23 Tuition fees
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | £9,250 per year | Not available |
International | £18,050 per year | Not available |
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.
Facilities
The faculty’s £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 labs 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
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 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 Contruction Project and Cost Managment 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 should apply for this course through UCAS. Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
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
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
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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Disclaimer
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 2021/22 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.
Tuition fees
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.
Accreditations
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.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
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.
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), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas).