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

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
Register for updates

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.

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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why 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)
100%

of Building Surveying students agreed they were satisfied with the quality of the course.

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Accreditation and Professional Recognition

This course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies:

RICS logo

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.

Charlie Shephard, BSc (Hons) Building Surveying, Graduated in 2016, now future trainee solicitor at Pinsent Masons
2 students at practical session

What you'll study

In the common first year you will be introduced to the fundamental topics of construction technology, design and production processes, which are essential to practitioners in all construction professions. You will develop and understanding of the professional duties of a building surveyor working in a multi-disciplinary team setting to emulate industry practices.

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to develop and understanding and awareness of the design process as relevant to all professions within the industry. Through introduction to the various techniques used to design and develop projects in a fast growing and changing environment, the purpose is to explore the reason for current practices in design while considering innovative practices of the future.

    Compulsory

  • The module will you to develop an understanding of the physical behaviour of the domestic building as a system, services design, durability, comfort and indoor air quality is essential to produce high-performance low-rise buildings, providing knowledge that focuses on the analysis of the physical phenomena and modern methods of energy control and how this impacts energy efficiency.

    Compulsory

  • This module seeks to inspire you to develop full understanding of the principles of construction in relation to low-rise domestic building besides an appreciation of the various aspects of the design and construction technology required for constructing a sustainable and comfortable low-rise domestic building.

    Compulsory

  • This module introduces basic concepts and develops an understanding of engineering properties of construction materials including modern construction materials and structural construction materials.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the role of the construction professional within the multi-disciplinary construction industry.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to give you a knowledge of how vertical and horizontal control is established on site through levelling and traversing and how this is applied to construction site activities. It will also give you the necessary fieldwork skills to do this using appropriate surveying instrumentation.

    Compulsory

  • This module is an introduction to the core knowledge and skills that define the role of construction professionals within the building process in the UK and in a global context.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to introduce all professional routes to the concept of cost management, the processes and aspects of cost involved in decisions made and some of the tools used to help manage these costs.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to provide you with an understanding of the role of the construction professional within the multi-disciplinary construction industry, and develop personal and team-working skills and attributes that are needed for a successful career within your chosen discipline and profession.

    Compulsory

  • Compulsory

The second year is where you explore the quantity surveying and commercial management professions in more detail and move from traditional industry practices into the more contemporary and digital practices of contemporary industry organisations. You will expand on the knowledge from Year 1 and discover new ways of working in a multi-disciplinary team in Group Project 2, which will also get you prepared for your optional industry placement year after Year 2.

Modules

  • This module will provide an introduction to general principles and concepts of law related to the construction industry. The module's aim is to develop an ability to understand and apply these legal principles to particular legal problems that may arise in the course of construction activities.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop an advanced knowledge of construction technology and procedures of commercial developments for students who have prior knowledge of low-rise domestic scale construction.

    Compulsory

  • The module covers essential industry relevant skills and development preparing students for the workplace promoting individual practical skills development.

    Compulsory

  • This module focuses on the Building services and systems for commercial and high-rise buildings. This includes the electrical, mechanical and public health systems.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to understand the processes and restrictions for adapting an existing commercial building into residential units.

    Compulsory

  • This module brings together the practical and theoretical issues with regard to the role of the Building Surveyor and Property appraisers within the Built Environment.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims 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.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop the student’s skill base through the continued development of critical, transferable study skills that are of practical benefit in the workplace and that promote and enable continued professional development.

    Compulsory

  • All modules are mandatory. 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. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content.

    Compulsory

Following successful completion of your second year, you will have an option to apply for a one-year professional work placement or study abroad in a partner institution. This optional year placement year may provide valuable context to assist in final year completion, as well as enhancing CVs to enable smoother progression into industry upon successful completion of the final year.

Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

APC is the on-the-job training scheme that graduates need to complete to qualify as a Chartered Member (MRICS). If you choose to undertake the sandwich placement option with an accredited company, you also have the opportunity to begin your APC during your placement year. However at least 12 months of further study must take place on a graduate training scheme. Further details.

If you wish to undertake the optional study abroad/placement year, you will take either the Placement Year module or the Study Abroad Year module which both typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You are normally able to progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e. having accumulated 240 credits) and have a confirmed opportunity two weeks prior to the start of the academic year. However, we encourage international students to confirm their placements earlier to ensure they are able to meet any applicable visa requirements.

Students opting for either the work placement or study abroad module will be registered on a non-credit bearing module. Whilst the modules do not bear credits, they do require completion of marked activities reflecting on your placement/study abroad or work placement experience. Following successful completion of the activities, the module selected will appear on your final academic transcript. Students will thus graduate with 360 credits in total, assuming successful completion of their final year.

 

In your final year you will focus on historic building, sustainability and innovation in construction and applied building surveying, applying your knowledge in ‘real life’ projects that will reflect the work that goes on in industry, thereby making your transition into work on graduating smoother.

You will be asked to complete a final year multi-disciplinary group project as well as a final year research topic of your choice, which will reflect the area of industry you wish to pursue on completion. The final year is designed to not only provide you with the higher level skills and knowledge you will need for contemporary practice, but also enable you to develop skills following completion to continue working in a fast moving and quickly developing industrial sector. Successful completion will also prepare you for moving on to higher level courses such as MSc should you choose to enhance your future career path prospects.

Modules

  • This module aims to enable the student to appreciate the fundamental principles of the range of professional skills needed by a Building Surveyor in practice.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to examine the nature of historic buildings and monuments and the varied motives for preserving them. The module will trace the history of movements to preserve old buildings and the conflicts that have frequently surrounded restoration campaigns.

    Compulsory

  • 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.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is that you will accrue a detailed understanding of some of the key stages involved in a construction projects through the operations of a simulated design and construction team.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable you to develop their research skills by conducting primary research (with secondary research support) focused on a specific problem of relevance to the building discipline.

    Compulsory

  • All modules are mandatory. 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. Before accepting any offers, please check the website for the most up to date course content.

    Compulsory

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

Typical offer for 2022 entry

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBC
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSE's graded 9-4 / A* - C including English and Mathematics
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

Fair Access Scheme

Typical offer for 2022 entry

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5. Pre-sessional English is available if required.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Engineering will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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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.

Students working in front of a virtual wall.

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.

Female student working in structures lab with male student looking on.

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.

Two male students pouring materials into a machine.

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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Your next steps

Student life
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Fees and funding

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  • 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).