Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)

 

Course Code

UCAS Code: K240
International Code: EECU084

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

 

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Start date

September 2022

How to apply
Book an Open Day
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Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate

This course has been developed to provide you with the necessary skills, training and knowledge, upon successful completion, to work in roles ranging from professional and contractor quantity surveyors, commercial managers, project managers and similar roles from all sectors relating to the land, property and infrastructure industries.

  • Due to a strong growth in the built environment as a whole and in particular in the importance placed on financial and legal management within the sector, the quantity surveying role has been growing in importance for a number of years and is now seen as one of the key roles in the delivery of successful construction projects.
  • In development with our current industry partners, we have developed a course structure designed to provide exploration of a mix of technical skills and digital/technological knowledge, which aims to equip you for working in this growing sector, and preparing you for future developments in this fast moving industry.
  • This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills, upon successful completion, to give expert advice on the effective management of finance and costs throughout the building lifecycle. You will have the opportunity to gain a solid understanding of quantification and costing of construction works, financial control and reporting, risk management, design economics and cost planning.
  • You will be taught by current staff with academic and professional experience in quantity surveying, architectural practice, civil engineering and the construction industry, having worked in a variety of professional roles such as quantity surveying, building surveying, construction management, architectural technology and a wide range of professional organisations.
  • Teaching is designed to be highly practical; throughout the course, and you will have the opportunity to draw on real-life case studies and participate in integrated project work, where theory is put into practice as soon as it is learned. For example, performing a real quantity survey in a commercial role for a client and presenting your findings to their asset management team.
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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

  • Ranked No.1 in the UK for ‘Building and town and country planning’ in the Guardian University Guide 2021, Coventry University has been educating construction professionals for over half a century.
  • Our Simulation Centre allows us to provide you with not only the opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge and skills but also the chance to develop the ability to apply this knowledge to realistic industrial situations within a safe environment.
  • A common first year makes it possible to transfer to our degree-level courses in architectural technology, construction management or building surveying in the second year if you wish, after successful completion of Year 1.
  • Current collaborative links with universities in 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, subject to application) as well as your degree, upon successful completion – an Autodesk certificate in Computer Aided Design (CAD) and chance to undergo a Building Research Establishment Energy Assessment Method (BREEAM) to become an Accredited Graduate (BREEAM AG).
  • Study on shared modules alongside students on a wide range of other professional disciplines, such as, construction management, architectural technology, building surveying, building services engineering and civil engineering, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of today’s construction industry.
94%

of Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons) students agreed they were satisfied with the quality of the course.

DiscoverUni 2021

Accredited by:

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for September 2022 entry. If the accreditation of this course and/or the modules on this course change, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Coventry University provides you with all the resources you will ever need to tackle this course, it is just a matter of how well you can utilise these to benefit your coursework.

Compared to my first group project, I have gradually improved my collaboration and team working skills and act more maturely and professionally. In comparison to how I tackled the group project first year, this time I had more knowledge, sense of organizational structure, technical skills and presentation skills. It was obv

Kaushal Raghvani, Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons), March 2019, graduated 2019
students working in a group

What you'll study

In the common first year you will be introduced to the fundamental topics of building cost, design and production processes, which are essential to practitioners in all construction professions. Upon successful completion of this year, you should develop an understanding of the professional duties of a quantity 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 enable students 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 students 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 aims to introduce basic concepts and develop an understanding of engineering properties of construction materials including, modern construction materials and structural construction materials such as concrete, timber, steel, glass and masonry.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to provide an insight into management aspects within the construction industry with an exploration of the theory behind management practices and motivation.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the module is to give the student 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 the student the necessary fieldwork skills to do this using appropriate surveying instrumentation.

    Compulsory

  • This module will focus on integrating your understanding and appreciation of construction management, quantity surveying, building services engineering, building surveying, architecture technology or real estate management with the process of design, together with developing your skills of communicating your designs through drawing and model making which are vital to ensuring that your ideas are understood and can be implemented.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to provide students 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 their chosen discipline and profession.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

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 should expand on the knowledge from Year 1 and discover new ways of working in a multi-disciplinary team in group project two.

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. The emphasis will relate to multi-storey and commercial framed structures and include a study of pre-construction activities, substructure and superstructure as well as the external envelope and internal access.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to introduce all of the professional courses to the broad aspects of English law with a particular focus on the laws of Tort, Contract and Land law. Through detailed discussion of case law and reference to key pieces of legislation the students will develop knowledge and skills to enable understanding of a range of legal matters that may arise in the industry while carrying out their professional role.

    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. It also includes some fundamental aspects of building science such as building physics, building materials, thermal comfort, thermal efficiency and indoor environmental quality.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to explore the concepts, theories and principles relevant to construction management and quantity surveying practices, in particular studying the pre-contract and post-contract financial and cost management procedures.

    Compulsory

  • This module will explore the concepts, theories and principles relevant to quantity surveying professional activities both pre and post contract. In addition, this module seeks to explore the measurement of construction works and the preparation of tender documentation including schedule of works, preliminaries, approximate quantities and Bills of Quantities.

    Compulsory

  • This module will focus on further integrating your understanding and appreciation of construction management, quantity surveying, building services engineering, building surveying, architecture technology or real estate management with the process of design, together with developing your skills of communicating your designs through drawing and model making which are vital to ensuring that your ideas are understood and can be implemented.

    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. The module is linked to the personal tutorial sessions that take place during the academic year as well as using other online based delivery methods.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

Following 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.

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.

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.

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. Please note this may be subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.

Modules

  • Optional

  • Optional

In your final year you will focus on contract, commercial and financial management topics, 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.

Modules

  • Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is that students 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. Students will learn how to manage, through Building Information Modelling, aspects of a project through a feasibility study working in groups drawn from Civil and Building courses across the School of Energy, Construction and Environment.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to enable students to develop their research skills by conducting primary or secondary research focused on a specific problem of relevance to their discipline. Students would use different methods and research skills to effectively communicate research novelties and ideas to the academic and non-academic communities.

    Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • This module will develop understanding and critical awareness of commercial management in construction. Participants of this this module will develop the ability to apply a range of different commercial management techniques that drives competitiveness, balanced against profitability in the construction industry.

    Compulsory

  • You will also be able to take an Add+vantage module which can allow you to develop your CV by taking credits in an area of study that doesn’t have to be related to your degree. The assessment type will depend on the type of Add+vantage module you wish to take.

    Compulsory

    Assessment: coursework, exam

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

With a focus on your future employability, you will have several opportunities to accelerate your professional development. In your first year, you have the option to undertake a Computer Aided Design (CAD) assessment (at no extra cost, application required) and, if successful, will receive industry recognised Autodesk certification. Then, in your second year, you will have the opportunity to undertake a Building Research Establishment Energy Assessment Method (BREEAM), which, on successful completion, enables you to become certified as an Accredited Graduate (BREEAM AG) (at no extra cost, application required). BREEAM is widely acknowledged as the leading environmental assessment method – which sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation. It has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognised measures of environmental performance.

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, supervised by academic and technical support staff.

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 14-15 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.

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
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • 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.

Job ready

On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • Economics of construction.
  • The legal and regulatory framework within which buildings are constructed.
  • Procurement and contract administration procedures.
  • Current innovations relating to the construction of buildings.
  • Building technology and construction processes.
  • Management processes and systems associated with construction.
  • Building science with respect to materials, structure, services and internal environment.
  • Design processes used in construction.
  • How quality is achieved in construction processes and products.
  • Health and safety in building design and construction.

On successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Analyse, interpolate and present information.
  • Analyse and solve construction problems of a technical and managerial nature.
  • Analyse data and information sources in construction.
  • Develop price estimates and cost budgets.
  • Analyse financial information and cost budgets.
  • Undertake procedures associated with project management.
  • Prepare pre-contractual documentation.
  • Prepare valuations and claims.
  • Assess stage payments.

Inernational experience opportunities

The content of the course continuously refers to the international context in which construction takes place, which aims to give an international perspective to your studies and future career options within the industry following successful completion. Students will be encouraged to draw examples for many different parts of the world in order to compare and contrast some of the UK based theory that they will cover whilst on the course and within other modules, such as commercial management quantity surveying practice.

In the second year, we endeavour to organise an international field trip to provide you with an opportunity to experience the built environment in another country.* In the last four years, former students have travelled to Malta and Spain where they were required to undertake commercial management and quantity surveying practices.

Alternatively, you have the option of extending your degree course by taking a sandwich year studying abroad; we will endeavour to provide support in finding a suitable placement.*

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

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

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

Quantity surveyors and commercial managers play a pivotal role in the delivery of every construction projects; career prospects can exist wherever new projects are being contemplated, or where facilities are being refurbished, or where building work requires professional control. This is a global profession, so career prospects may be worldwide.

Where our graduates work

Our previous graduates have found employment in private practices, contracting organisations, commercial organisations and local/central government, regionally, nationally and internationally. They have gone on to work with companies such as Mace, Galliford Try, Balfour Beatty plc, Laing O’ Rourke, Barrett Homes, Watts Construction Ltd, and BAM Construct UK.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Construction Management with BIM 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
Accommodation
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).