Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)



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Course overview

On the BSc Honours Quantity Surveying, you'll learn from Chartered Surveyors with extensive professional practice experience.

The course will allow you to learn the skills involved in design economics, procurement strategies, cost planning and estimating, measurement and quantification of construction work, commercial management and professional practice.

We have regular guest lectures from industry experts who present working examples of their projects, which will give you a real feel of how the construction industry works. These strong links mean our students are in high demand from potential employers before they graduate.

The third year can be spent on a credit-bearing work placement, allowing you to apply the knowledge you have learned in the classroom to live projects under professional supervision.

We offer part-time and full-time study options, making the course flexible to suit your requirements.

After graduating, you can find yourself managing the finances and contracts of high-profile construction projects worldwide.

Quantity surveyors are widely employed throughout the construction and property industries including Quantity Surveying consultancies, construction companies, specialist sub-contractors, local authorities, specialist tax consultants and housebuilding companies.

Our course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is based on construction economics.

Quantity Surveying Student Evan in a high vis jacket.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (also available Part-time)

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

K242

Course details

In Year 1, you'll develop a broad understanding of quantity surveying and the built environment. You'll study Building Design and Technology, Surveying, Property Value Studies, Property and Construction Business Law, Building Maintenance and Management, and Construction Cost Studies. These subjects provide the technical, legal and commercial foundations for your studies and future career in quantity surveying.

In Year 2, you'll progress to more specialist quantity surveying subjects, developing your knowledge and skills in construction cost studies, building design and technology, quantity surveying professional practice, commercial management, contract administration and facilities management. These modules will strengthen your understanding of construction measurement and cost management, contractual procedures, commercial decision-making and professional practice.

In Year 3, you can undertake a 120-credit Work Placement, providing an opportunity to apply your academic knowledge and develop professional skills and experience within the workplace. Alternatively, you can study 120 credits of taught modules in Research and Innovation, Environmental Sustainability, Health and Safety, and Professional Standards.

In your final year, you'll bring together the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course through Project Evaluation, Sustainable Development and Advanced Commercial Management. You'll also complete a Dissertation, providing an opportunity to undertake independent research into a relevant quantity surveying, construction or built environment topic.

Together, these modules develop the technical, commercial, contractual, research and professional competencies required to prepare you for a career in quantity surveying and the wider construction industry.

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    How you’ll be taught

     Classes are presented using a blend of face-to-face teaching and online resources through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment. The practical application of knowledge is the foundation for the QS course where we recreate real-life scenarios and learn how to deal with them in a classroom environment.
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    Assessments

    No exams in year 1. Assignments comprise mainly scenario-based activities emphasising the applied knowledge approach and employing an active learning ethos.
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    Work placement

    Where a work placement is secured, the entirety of 3rd year comprises a 120 credit work placement module. The placement team will notify you of those Year 3 work opportunities employers make available. However, you should start sourcing your placement yourself as early as possible, as they are subject to availability, secured via interviews with employers and in competition with your peer group.

    Students on placement will complete a portfolio of tasks to demonstrate they have achieved the module's learning outcomes.
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    Facilities

    This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

RECOGNISED BY

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience. Most of the staff teaching on the course are Chartered Surveyors and other property professionals with extensive experience as practitioners.

Programme Leader: Dr Nirodha Fernando.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Quantity Surveying?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

This course is only available for entry into Years 1 and 2.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC

  • Minimum Entry Requirement: CCCC

NPA - National Progression Award (32-99) in Global Infrastructure and the Built Environment equivalent to 1 Higher at grade C. Can not be used for subject specific requirement

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A level

  • CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H3, H3, H3 at Higher Level

BTEC National Extended Diploma (Level 3)

  • MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit)

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma (Level 3)

  • DD (Distinction, Distinction)

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 27 points overall with three Higher Level subjects at grades 6, 5, 4

T level

  • Pass

Scottish HNC

  • Other HNC subjects may be considered for year 1 entry where a C in the graded unit is achieved.

Minimum Year 2

Scottish Advanced Higher

  • BBC
    In addition, National 5 grade C in Maths is required (Applications of Maths is accepted).

A Level

  • BBB
    In addition, GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths is required.

BTEC National Extended Diploma (Level 3)

  • DDM (Distinction, Distinction, Merit) in a related subject.
    In addition, GCSE Grade C/4 in Maths is required.

HNC

  • Pass HNC in Construction, Construction Management, Built Environment, Architectural Technology, Quantity Surveying with grade B in the Graded Unit.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Get ahead

If you are at school and enjoy subjects such as Computing, Maths, Geography, Graphic Communication and English then you are already on the right path to becoming a surveyor.
You may also want to consider doing subjects such as Physics and Design Technology as these will teach you valuable skills that will help you during your studies.

Coming from college?

Edinburgh Napier University has articulation agreements with many partner colleges so if you are already studying surveying at college you could gain advanced entry into second year and continue your studies towards your honours degree in Quantity Surveying.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £21,120 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Eligible students enrolled on this course can receive a bursary from the Scottish Building Federation Edinburgh and District Charitable Trust. Speak to Ben Waite, Development Executive, or your Programme Leader for more information.

Careers & employability

Close up of Quantity Surveying Student working on a laptop

What can you do with a Quantity Surveying degree?

A quantity surveying degree will offer you a rewarding professional career with opportunities to work with a wide range of people on many exciting projects, ranging from small buildings through to large multimillion pound construction sites. 

Edinburgh Napier University's quantity surveying course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and upon graduating you can further develop your professional skills to gain Chartered status through RICS.
Choosing to become a surveyor will put you on an exciting career path that will enable you to make a difference to the world around you through the impact of your work.

Quantity Surveying gives you the chance to work on exciting projects, ranging from small buildings through to large multimillion pound construction sites. Career prospects include:

  • Quantity Surveyor
  • Chartered Surveyor
  • Chartered Quantity Surveyor
  • Contracts Manager
  • Construction Cost Manager
  • Commercial Manager

The construction industry is growing, making quantity surveying a great career path that offers excellent opportunities and progression, where a job could take you anywhere in the world.

What do Quantity Surveyors do?

Quantity surveyors are the experts who bring together construction, engineering and economics. The nature of this profession requires good analytical and financial management skills, along with the ability to mix creativity with problem solving.

If you have a knack for mathematics and are intrigued by large-scale construction efforts, then this is a great career path for you.

As a quantity surveyor, you are involved at every stage of construction projects by overseeing, analysing and reporting on progress to ensure quality and building standards are met. These responsibilities can also include working with subcontractors, purchasing construction materials, monitoring all spend to avoid unnecessary costs and prevent overspend.

As a quantity surveyor, you are there at every step of the construction process; overseeing, analysing and reporting on its progress and quality while maintaining the building standards.

 

Woman on a building site in high visibility holding engineering drawings