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Quantity Surveying - MSc

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

On our MSc Quantity Surveying degree, you will learn how to add value to projects through demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills in managing cost and information, advancing practices and procedures, and managing risk effectively....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time
  • Location City Centre
  • School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
  • Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

On our MSc Quantity Surveying degree, you will learn how to add value to projects through demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills in managing cost and information, advancing practices and procedures, and managing risk effectively.

This course is aimed at both cognate graduates with a background in architecture, engineering, construction and real estate as well as non-cognate graduates working in construction or interested in taking advantage of the excellent job opportunities in the sector but have no built environment degree, qualification or experience.

Non-cognate graduates from any discipline can undertake the MSc Quantity Surveying as a conversion Master’s course en route to becoming a chartered Quantity Surveyor. The course will also equip cognate graduates and professionals in architecture, engineering and construction with the skills to become industry leaders in the management of project costs.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

Accredited by RICS, CIOB and CABE, this course will develop your skills in cost and commercial management, whole life costing approaches, law and contract, risk modelling, project management and sustainability as well as business development, critical thinking, problem-solving and team collaboration. Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Information Management are embedded in the course for integrated project delivery and BIM cost management. Our Quantity Surveying postgraduates are highly sought-after and have secured positions with companies such as KIER, Balfour Beatty, Vinci, Gleeds, Turner & Townsend, Colas Rail, as well as working on major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Crossrail.

The MSc Quantity Surveying course will enable graduates with degrees from any discipline to enter the quantity surveying profession. Practitioners with extensive construction work experience but without a first degree will also be considered, subject to entrance exam and interview. The course also provides opportunities for graduates from diverse backgrounds including students from the UK and international students, students with limited exposure to the built environment, as well as students looking for mid-career development in a quantity surveying specialist area.

You will learn how to ensure construction projects are delivered to the satisfaction of the client and other construction professionals and influence a better future in the built environment. You will develop knowledge and skills to meet the challenges presented by change and innovation in the sector. The course is designed to challenge you to question your current thinking and practices in the face of a rapidly changing global construction industry and develop your ability to be innovative and creative in solving unique problems. It will encourage you to engage in life-long learning and become an independent professional learner through a range of modern interactive teaching.

Professional staff with industry experience will offer support and guidance. We are constantly reviewing and researching the most up-to-date construction developments to be able to pass on the latest industry knowledge. This is supported by guest speakers such as Milan Parmar for costX training, and Bala Kumar (a former international student and one of our recent graduates) who now works for Balfour Beatty Vinci on the HS2 project. We also have excellent links with companies in the region, including Rider Levett Bucknall, Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try and Birmingham City Council.

The Masters in quantity surveying course is taught in the prestigious £114m Millennium Point building – part of our City Centre Campus – with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. Our City Centre Campus location is an inspirational place to learn. Birmingham’s Big City Plan, regenerating and developing the city, means there are plenty of opportunities within the built environment. And you will have the added advantage of being based near construction sites, including our new Conservatoire development and the new high speed rail track, HS2, giving you invaluable insight into the construction industry.

Tailor your degree

The Professional Placement version of the course is optional and is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course. This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

Further study

Regardless of your undergraduate subject, study MSc Quantity Surveying as a conversion course to help you enter a rewarding career in the construction industry.

Accredited By

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

  • The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
  • The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
  • Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Why Choose Us?

  • Accredited course - This course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
  • Preparation for industry - Successful completion of the course enables you to pursue professional membership of both RICS and CIOB after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
  • Strong industry Links - Our links with companies such as Gleeds, RLB, Wilmott Dixon and Galliford Try help you make vital contacts and gain practical experience to back up theory.
  • Multi-Professional learning - Develop understanding of all aspects of this exciting industry in workshops with students from other built environment post-graduate courses.
  • Highly employable graduates - Our graduates have secured positions with companies such as VINCI Facilities, KIER, Turner & Townsend, Colas Rail, Balfour Beatty and HS2.
  • Professional placement option - Gain desirable employability skills with the option of a professional placement in the industry.

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OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Essential Requirements

A good honours degree at 2:2 or above in any subject.

Additional information for EU/International students
Essential

Non-EU students need to demonstrate a good command of English. IELTS 6.0 or equivalent is needed before they can enrol in this programme.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 12 months
  • £9,190 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 months with Professional Placement*
  • £10,110 in 2025/26
  • £1022 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 80 credits
  • Year 2 - 100 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 12 months
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 months with Professional Placement*
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Occupational health assessment

You will need to complete an occupational health assessment. The cost for this is included in your course fee.

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Professional Placement option*

The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.  Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement.  The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study.  You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School. 

Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.  All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Master's

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits): 

Professional Placement (optional)

In order to qualify for the award of MSc Quantity Surveying with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 7 modules listed above as well as the following Level 6 module:

Download course specification

Download now

Introduction course

There is an online introduction course based on self-directed learning available to prepare you for this Master’s programme. At the start of the programme and during the welcome week, all students will be guided to complete this optional introduction course at their own pace as part of the induction activities, with appropriate academic support provided. A resource pack will also be provided, which will be particularly useful for those with no construction degree, background, qualification or experience.

Teaching

The teaching for this course puts you at the centre of learning and teaching, with a particular focus on the reflective learner and the development of professional skills and applied research. We use lectures, seminars, workshops, action learning sets, group work, problem-based activities, guest speakers, on-line learning via Moodle, site visits and discussion forums to deliver learning.

Our teaching is very interactive, and you are encouraged to share your experience and opinions with your peers. Critical thinking is vital in Master’s study, and you are required to develop your own ideas and come up with solutions to problems based on solid evidence and logical analysis. You will also be expected to complete reading and assignments outside of class hours.

Although this programme is module based, each module forms a part of the programme themes. This ensures that module design and associated teaching and assessments link together in progressive subject development. Our part-time students attend lectures on a day-release basis and share the modules with our full-time students.

Various assessments will be used in this course as noted in the table below. The assessment mode is mainly coursework and there is no exam.

Module Assessment
Construction Law and Contract Essay
Sustainable Construction Portfolio
Cost Management Portfolio & Group presentation
Project Management Methods Portfolio
Advanced Quantification Portfolio & Individual presentation
Integrated Project Delivery Essay
Dissertation Research proposal & Dissertation

Professional Placement option*

The Professional Placement option will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace. You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study.

You will also benefit from support sessions delivered by Careers+ as well as advice and guidance from your School. Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course. All students who do not find a suitable placement or do not pass the competitive selection process will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

This course is accredited by:

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Successful completion of the course will lead to Professional Membership after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). 

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

The Chartered Institute of Building is at the heart of a management career in construction. Its focus is on those entering and already in a management career in construction, by delivering qualifications and certifications that meet the needs of a changing industry. It works with members, employers, academia and governments across the globe to drive forward the science, practice and importance of management in construction.

Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

This course is accredited by Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)

Employability

Opportunity

This course is fully accredited by both The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). All their required competences and learning outcomes are covered in this course.

We have a very close working relationship with our professional bodies such as RICS and CIOB. We have annual partnership meetings with them to steer the development of our course. You can participate in regional events such as CPDs, seminars and site visits as a student member to not only get updated industry knowledge but also network with the practitioners.

We also work very closely with our industrial partners such as Rider Levett Bucknall, Willmott Dixon, Galliford Try and Birmingham City Council. They are not only actively involved in our course development, teaching and assessment but also contribute in various ways as guest speakers, as well as offering site visits, summer placements, research projects and employment.

Enhancing your employability skills

Student ambassadors The University has introduced the Birmingham City University Graduate+ programme, which is an extra-curricular awards framework that is designed to augment the subject based skills that you develop through your programme with broader employability skills and techniques that will enhance your employment options when you leave university.

Through the various opportunities available, our programme aims to provide graduates with a set of attributes which prepare them for their future careers, to ensure The BCU Graduate:

  • is professional and work ready
  • is a creative problem solver
  • is enterprising
  • has a global outlook.

International

This course has a very strong international flavour in terms of teaching content and recruitment. The course considers UK construction practice as well as the shared and different practice around the globe in order to meet the demand of a globalised construction industry.

Previous and existing students are from many different countries including India, China, Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. The course attracts people from all walks of life looking for a conversion master’s course to enter the construction industry and quantity surveying profession. Our students are from different disciplines with no prior experience in construction and no qualification in a built environment subject as well as those within the construction industry such as civil engineers, architects, building surveyors, facilities managers, planners, construction managers, project managers, valuers and real estate graduates and professionals looking for a career progression or to develop their expertise in cost, risk and value management.

The diversity of our students means that you can work with people from different cultural and professional backgrounds, utilise your transferrable skills, share your experience and understand quantity surveying and commercial management from different perspectives. You are encouraged to investigate your own home country’s construction practices for your assessment and dissertation research so you can be better prepared for employment and career development after your study. Our international partners enrich the course and bring in invaluable project case studies.

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Facilities & Staff


Our Facilities

The facility our students value most is not actually on campus, but is the location of the campus in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside opposite the new High Speed 2 station construction, and minutes from dozens of fascinating live projects within the city centre.

Birmingham as it changes constantly on our doorstep really is our ‘living lab’. By simply looking out the window of our classrooms you’ll be able to witness live projects as they’re happening around us. You’ll constantly be inspired by dozens of fascinating case studies just from walking from the station to the campus.

The facilities on offer to our students reflect the work environment you will enter as you start your career. Learn more about what we have to offer below.

Software

Recognising the rapidly evolving digital built environment we are constantly reviewing software to best fit with the professions of the future.

Autodesk Accredited Centre Status, we use the latest integrated building modelling software across undergraduate courses, seeing Architectural Technology, Building Surveying, Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying students engaging in cross discipline information management projects modelling real life experience. Accredited Centre status allowing all students licence to download this software, and making available additional qualifications and certification to those demonstrating expertise and dedication to exploring their own and the limits of the Autodesk environment.

At course level, students engage with the latest and most appropriate software for their future professions. Real Estate students with CoStar, the leading industry database supporting valuations. Quantity Surveyors using Blue Beam, Revu and QS Pro, and along these Quantity Surveyors and Construction Managers use Synchro and Navisworks for 4D and CostX for 5D work. For Building Surveying and Architectural Technology routes, visualisation is important where Enscape, V-Ray Lumion and Sketch-up are available.

Built Environment Space in Millennium Point

The Built Environment Space in Millennium Point is available to all students with a huge resource of software-equipped laptops for loan on campus. For off campus working, much of the software we use comes with free student licences and all students will have access to the Windows Virtual Desktop, allowing access to our range of software from anywhere where the internet is available.

The Studio Space that we've created in Millennium Point is an open workspace where students can work on their design projects. We have all student work and examples that will change every week or month depending on what stage of a project we're at. And it's an open space for working on projects.

This is where our Architectural Technology students and our Building Surveying students in particular, spend a lot of their time.

Concrete and Hydraulics Labs

Our dedicated Civil Engineering facilities include a Hydraulics & Structures lab Concrete & Geotechnics lab as well as a bending rig.

The swollen concrete lab and hydraulics lab are the heart of our Civil Engineering course, where we have a range of test equipment. This is where our students can carry out experimental work as part of their course, either as part modules or using those labs to work on their final year project.


Built Environment facilities

Our staff

Dr Damilola Ekundayo

Associate Professor in the Built Environment, Programme Director for MSc Quantity Surveying

Damilola has a substantial professional experience in the construction industry and in the UK higher education sector as well as varied management experience. Before joining academia he worked in the construction industry as a chartered quantity surveyor, chartered construction manager and professional project manager both in the UK and abroad on...

More about Damilola

Dr Hong Xiao

Senior Lecturer

Hong obtained his BEng in Industrial and Civil Buildings in 1985, and MSc in Construction Management in 1988 from Hunan University, China. He lectured there until 1998. He came to the UK in 1998 as an academic visitor sponsored by the Chinese Government, and then began his PhD study at the University of Wolverhampton. His PhD research project was...

More about Hong

Dr Emmanuel Aboagye-Nimo

Senior Lecturer in Construction Management

Emmanuel Aboagye-Nimo is a Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) and a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management. He teaches on a range of Built Environment modules and supervises researchers of various levels from undergraduate to doctoral projects.

More about Emmanuel

Dr. Ekanayake Mudiyanselage

Lecturer in Quantity Surveying

Anushika is a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the Department for Built Environment. She holds a PhD in the field of construction management and engineering from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and BSc in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include Supply Chain Resilience, Construction...

More about Ekanayake

Dr Saeed Talebi

College of Built Environment Academic Lead for Teaching Excellence and the Student Experience

Dr Saeed Talebi is a Senior Lecturer at the College of Built Environment, Course Leader for Quantity Surveying and College of Built Environment Academic Lead for Teaching Excellence and the Student Experience  at Birmingham City University. He also holds the distinguished title of Visiting Fellow at the School of Engineering, Design and Built...

More about Saeed

Professor Franco Kai Tak Cheung

Professor in Sustainable Built Environment, College Lead in Research, Innovation and Enterprise

As the Professor in Sustainable Built Environment, Prof Franco Cheung has consistently led transformative research and practical initiatives in sustainable construction, focusing on enhancing the productivity and performance of building design and construction while reducing the environmental impacts of development, particularly in terms of...

More about Franco Kai Tak

Robert Waters

Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management

Rob obtained his BSc in Construction Management in 2003, previously he worked within the construction industry to Construction Management and Supervisor Level. He also worked as a Clerk of Works and a Project Manager for a large Mechanical and Electrical Contractor.

More about Robert