Quantity Surveying

Quantity surveying is the professional discipline concerned with the costs, contracts, and financial management of construction and infrastructure projects. Quantity surveyors are central to the construction industry, providing cost advice from feasibility stage through to project completion, managing procurement processes, preparing and negotiating contracts, and ensuring that projects are financially controlled and completed within budget. The role combines technical knowledge of construction with commercial and contractual expertise, and quantity surveyors work across the full spectrum of built environment projects, from residential housing and commercial developments to major civil engineering and infrastructure schemes.

At Plymouth, this three-year degree develops the fundamental economic and financial techniques needed to analyse project costs, assess financial feasibility, and manage the commercial aspects of construction projects. You will study measurement, estimating, procurement strategy, contract law and administration, project management, and the communication and team management skills that are needed to work effectively on complex multi-disciplinary construction projects. The degree includes a sandwich year in industry and work placement opportunities, giving you direct professional experience in quantity surveying practice, which is highly valued by employers in a profession where practical competence and commercial awareness are as important as academic knowledge.

Plymouth's location in the South West gives access to a range of regional construction employers and projects.

Quantity surveying graduates are in consistent demand across the construction and property sector. Many graduates progress towards chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, qualifying as chartered quantity surveyors through the Assessment of Professional Competence. Others work in construction project management, commercial management, cost consultancy, development consultancy, and facilities management.

The transferable skills in financial analysis, contract management, and project management are also valued in related sectors including infrastructure, defence, and energy. Postgraduate study in quantity surveying, project management, or construction law is available for those who wish to develop further specialist expertise.