Chimuanya Samuel

Quantity Surveying MSc

Chimuanya originally studied Estate Management in Nigeria and had a lot to learn when she enrolled on BCU’s Quantity Surveying course. Nowadays, she’s fully qualified and works as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor on HS2. 

“I’ve always loved to study and wanted to study further with a Master's degree. I never thought I would leave my home country to study in the UK, but with my family’s support, I was able to go.

The Quantity Surveying Master’s course at BCU was a great but challenging experience, because having studied Estate Management in Nigeria for my undergraduate degree, I soon realised that the UK construction industry is different from what I thought, which meant that the core courses were quite a challenge.

However, as the MSc Quantity Surveying course is aimed at all students, not just those who studied Quantity Surveying at an undergraduate level, and with the help of my tutors and friends on my course, I was able to learn a lot within a short period of time.

Now, I'm working as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor at Ferrovial Construction, part of EKFB, where I started out as a Placement Quantity Surveyor straight after I finished my course but soon got promoted.

EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall, is HS2’s main works contractor, a joint venture delivering the central section of the HS2 railway project in the UK.

A typical workday for me involves preparing and managing subcontracts throughout the project, through to the Final Account agreement. I also manage staff accounts, prepare forecasts, ensuring cash flow is optimised through the development of activity schedules. This is among many other things, and all while ensuring that all queries are fully resolved in a timely manner.

My course at BCU has played an important and integral role in my current job. As an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, I'm typically involved in almost all stages of a construction project, including feasibility, design, construction, extension, refurbishment, maintenance and even demolition, which my modules at BCU helped me gain a background knowledge in.

The modules that stood out for me were Integrated Project Delivery, Cost Management and Advanced Quantification because I never came across those areas during my undergraduate studies in Estate Management. The knowledge I gained from those modules has helped to prepare me in my career and future career opportunities.

Everyone has challenges, especially in an entirely different sector from what you're used to, so I had to learn a lot with regards to how the UK construction industry operates, and contract laws, and then apply it to my day-to-day activities

My proudest achievement has been my promotion to Assistant Quantity Surveyor after only a few months. It's not easy to get a job as an international student and getting an opportunity to start as an intern was huge for me, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I’m very passionate about building a solid career in this industry. In the future, I want to obtain my professional qualification with RICS and become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

My advice to those wanting to study Quantity Surveying is to be prepared to study hard, be versatile and follow your curriculum strictly. Also, get acquainted with what is happening in your area of study as it'll go a long way.

'I AM BCU' means I am bold, consistent and universal.”