Building Surveying BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
Students working in a construction site

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

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years full-time (study abroad or work placement)

UCAS codes

KBDF

Start date

September 2024
November 2024

Available through Clearing

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Course overview

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course. 

Foundation year

The foundation year will introduce you to the world of business with a strong focus on management, business communications and marketing in a global context. It creates opportunities for you to develop vital business skills, as well as preparing you for study at undergraduate level. You will put theory, both traditional and contemporary, into practice with real-world scenarios.

Degree

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.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of engineering.

Degree

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

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

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Architectural Technology BSc (Hons)
  • Architectural Design and Technology BSc (Hons)
  • Construction Project Management BSc (Hons)
  • Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)
  • Real Estate and Property Management BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

In Year Two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two.

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

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.


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 foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.


Teaching contact hours

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.


Assessment

Assessment methods vary and may include practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which generally take place at the end of each six-week block.

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.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. 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

Clearing places available on this course

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Additional requirements may apply

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Request fee information
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Please note: UK (home) tuition fees for the degree course years will be charged at the current Coventry University UK (home) degree fee level. This was set at £9,250 for the 23/24 academic year.

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.

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:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £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

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*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.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

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Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

You will have full reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library. The library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has many study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers touchdown computers and free-to-loan laptops.

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.

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

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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