Quantity Surveying

Quantity surveying is the profession responsible for managing the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects. A quantity surveyor, or QS, is the financial expert within the construction team, working from initial cost planning and feasibility through to tender documents, contract management, valuation of work in progress, and final account settlement. The role requires a detailed understanding of construction technology and materials, a command of contract law and commercial practice, strong numeracy and analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively within complex project teams under commercial pressure.

The University of Brighton offers this programme in part-time mode, with a sandwich placement and a work placement integrated into the structure, making it particularly well suited to students who are already working in the construction industry and want to develop professional qualifications alongside their practical experience. The part-time route allows you to earn while you learn, applying your developing knowledge directly to your workplace and bringing real experience into your academic study. Brighton's location in the South East, with its active construction market and proximity to London, provides a rich professional context for the degree.

You will study construction technology, measurement and cost management, procurement and tendering, contract administration, project management, and the legal and commercial frameworks that govern construction. Quantitative skills, including cost modelling and financial analysis, are developed alongside the contractual and technical knowledge the profession requires. Professional communication, negotiation, and the management of commercial risk are also integral to the curriculum.

Quantity surveying graduates are in sustained demand in the construction and property sectors. Roles in contractor QS functions, consultant cost management, project management, and employer-side commercial management are all accessible. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the RICS, is the primary professional body for quantity surveyors, and many graduates work towards chartered membership as their professional development pathway.

With experience, quantity surveyors progress into senior commercial management, project director, and board-level roles in construction companies and consultancies.