Quantity Surveying
Quantity Surveying is the professional discipline at the financial and contractual heart of the construction industry. Quantity surveyors are responsible for estimating costs, managing budgets, overseeing procurement, valuing work in progress, and ensuring that construction projects deliver value for money while meeting legal and quality standards. They work across every stage of the construction process, from initial feasibility and procurement through to final account settlement, and their expertise is required on projects ranging from domestic renovations to major infrastructure schemes.
At London South Bank University, this three-year, full-time programme includes a foundation year for students who need additional preparation before beginning the main degree, a sandwich year, and work placement opportunities. You will study a strong core of construction technology, property law, and project management, developing the technical and commercial understanding that quantity surveying demands. Cost control and organisational management are central themes throughout, as they are essential skills for practitioners who are responsible for ensuring that clients receive value for money.
The sandwich year and placements provide professional experience in real construction environments before you graduate, building the practical skills and industry contacts that employers actively look for.
Graduates of Quantity Surveying work in construction consultancies, main contractors, client organisations, housing developers, infrastructure companies, local authorities, and government departments. There is currently a significant shortage of quantity surveyors in the UK, making the qualification highly employable. Many graduates pursue membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which is the recognised professional standard for the discipline and opens career opportunities internationally.
The combination of financial acumen and construction knowledge the degree develops is valued across a sector that underpins the built environment.