Quantity Surveying

Quantity surveying is the financial specialism at the heart of the construction industry. Quantity surveyors manage the costs of construction projects from inception through to completion, advising on budgets, preparing cost plans, managing procurement, valuing work in progress and handling the financial and contractual dimensions of complex building and infrastructure projects. The role requires both technical knowledge of construction processes and materials and a high level of financial and commercial acumen, and qualified quantity surveyors are consistently in demand across the UK and internationally.

At Birmingham City University this programme is delivered through an RICS-approved Partnership Centre, meaning the course is designed to meet the professional standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the leading professional body for quantity surveyors in the UK and globally. You will study cost management, procurement, contract administration, project economics, construction law and the technical aspects of construction, developing the knowledge base required for professional practice. The course includes a sandwich year and work-placement experience, giving you a structured period of professional practice during your studies and the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real commercial and construction environments.

The programme runs full time over three years, with the placement year typically extending the total duration.

You will develop skills in financial analysis, contract interpretation, written professional communication and the negotiation and management of complex commercial relationships. These are skills that translate directly into professional practice.

Graduates typically pursue the Assessment of Professional Competence with the RICS on their way to qualifying as Chartered Quantity Surveyors, and work with contractors, developers, consultants, public-sector clients and specialist commercial managers across the construction sector. Postgraduate study in quantity surveying, project management or construction law is also available for those seeking further specialisation.