Quantity Surveying with Foundation Year
Quantity surveying is the financial management profession of the construction industry, concerned with the cost planning, procurement, and financial control of building projects from inception through to completion and beyond. Quantity surveyors, also known as cost managers or commercial managers, provide the financial expertise that keeps construction projects viable, managing everything from initial cost estimates and tender documentation to contract administration and final account settlement. It is a profession that combines analytical rigour with commercial awareness and practical knowledge of the construction sector.
The University of Salford's four-year full-time Quantity Surveying with Foundation Year degree has a typical entry tariff of 72 points and includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you professional experience in quantity surveying or construction management before graduation. The foundation year is designed to build a strong grounding in construction, surveying, and design techniques, and the essential study skills needed to progress and succeed on the main degree, as the course itself describes. You will study cost planning, procurement strategy, contract law and administration, building technology, financial management of construction projects, and the measurement and valuation of construction work, developing both the technical competence and the professional judgement that the role demands.
Graduates typically work towards chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building, entering roles as graduate quantity surveyors with contractors, consultancies, developers, public sector bodies, and project management organisations. Quantity surveying offers strong salary prospects and significant career progression, with experienced practitioners moving into senior cost management, commercial director, and project director roles. Postgraduate study in quantity surveying, project management, or construction law is an option for those wishing to specialise or accelerate their professional development.