Quantity Surveying and Construction module details

Year one (Level 4)

Block 1: Sustainable Building Principles

This module will provide you with a fundamental understanding of sustainable and regenerative buildings. It introduces the concept of sustainable development in relation to the technical design of buildings and planning of the built environment, and the impact of current design trends in reducing the environmental footprints. It explores the main reasons behind sustainable principles, including relevant regulations, standards, technologies, materials, users’ comfort and assessment tools. It also introduces you to a range of key concepts in physical and social sustainability principles that you can apply within buildings. In addition, the module highlights the role of the built environment professions in producing guidance for sustainable and regenerative buildings.

Block 2: Professional Quantity Surveying Skills and Management

This module explores the role of the quantity surveyor within the construction industry and within the construction team. The module introduces the concept of professionalism, and the core practices of inclusivity, teamworking, data management responsibilities to the client and the public. You will also be introduced to issues related to taking-off quantities and cost planning, sustainable development, use of technology in the quantity surveying profession, and the development of understanding of everyday issues related to professional practice. This module explores the regulatory framework in which the profession sits, in particular, building law, planning, building control and the CDM regulations. The module emphasizes the ethical issues and the core practices in the profession and its relationship to the RICS rules of conduct and RICS ethical standards.

Block 3: Building Technology 1

This module explores sustainable construction technology concepts within the built environment. This includes an introduction to technological themes in relation to construction, structure, materials and environment. These themes inform the practice of architectural technology and quantity surveying. The module introduces a range of concepts and intuitive levels of understanding in building science. Concepts of structural principles will be discussed by drawing on case studies. Various forms of structural systems will be investigated. Energy rating together with basic structural principles and construction materials are to be introduced as applied to small scale buildings.

Block 4: Economics of Construction

In this module you will learn to quantify the cost of small scale buildings using industry measurement guidelines. This will support you to develop an understanding of measurement principles, within an understanding of procurement processes. You will learn about construction cost control and how to manage cost and risk during the construction process. The module introduces techniques required to measure, quantify and estimate the cost of construction work. You will read and interpret plans and specifications applicable to buildings to assist with estimation, planning and supervisory activities. The estimated costs associated with the acquisition of materials and labour on building and construction sites will be established, together with the application of relevant overhead costs and margins. Monitoring techniques for building or construction costing systems will also be introduced.

Year two (Level 5)

Block 1: Project Management Practice

This module introduces topics related to the principles of project management practice and the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the construction industry. The module explores knowledge areas in project management, building economics management, quality control, resource management, risk management, project procurement and professional practice. You will contextualise these practice-based concepts to develop understanding of everyday issues related to professional practice within the UK construction industry. You will also develop an understanding of construction terminology, applications and requirements related to planning, building regulations, professional practice, professional ethics, social and environmental obligations of professionals; industry regulations, codes of conduct and practice, legal requirements and registration of building professionals practising in the UK. You will explore the implications of employment laws and industrial relations on construction organisations and examine the impacts of internationalisation, globalisation, global economy, and cultural diversity.

Block 2: Finance and costing

In this module, you will learn the techniques required to estimate the cost of construction work. Drawing from the knowledge gained in the first year, you will read and interpret plans and specifications applicable to construction projects in order to assist with estimation, planning and supervisory activities. The estimated costs associated with the acquisition of materials, labour, and machines on construction sites will be established, together with the application of relevant overhead costs and margins. Monitoring techniques for building or construction costing systems will also be introduced.

Blocks 3 and 4: Building Technology 2

This module will extend your understanding of how buildings perform environmentally, through drawn analysis and proposal of buildings. The module introduces a range of concepts related to the technology of construction and sustainability, providing you with a full understanding of current and innovative building technologies, materials and systems used in high performance buildings. Particular emphasis is placed on the understanding of basic building design, construction standards, surveying and environmental issues often related to sustainable building principles, both for new build and adaptive reuse. The module introduces the role that construction technology and surveying have in the design and construction process. It will develop the ability to make an ethical, environmentally responsible and holistic response to a client brief, integrating technical decisions with design solutions.

Blocks 3 and 4: Methods of measurement

The module will provide and develop your building surveying skills using appropriate measurement methods and technologies. It is designed to improve your numerical and analytical skills and to ensure you have an understanding of construction measurement through practical examples. The module also exposes you to the principles behind measurement and an understanding of the New Rules of Measurement required in carrying out a proper measurement of building works.

You will also be introduced to the concept of reading and interpreting drawings and quantities take-off required to establish appropriate cost for a building project. As such, you will develop skills to measure items to produce Bill of Quantities for building works identified in drawings and specifications in a tender document in accordance with the New Rules of Measurement. The module also provides insight into the tendering process and an introduction to cost management/building area measurement with the use of software such as CostX.

Optional Placement Year

You will be supported in carrying out a placement year in industry that is closely aligned to their subject and has academic support throughout. Placements offer you the opportunity to acquire relevant industry experience, make contacts and help fast-track your journey into graduate employment. Placements are available in a broad range of organisations, nationally or abroad. During the placement you will normally be treated as a regular employee of the organisation, with associated responsibilities, supervision and developmental opportunities. All placements are quality approved and risk assessed by the University prior to commencement.

This placement year can potentially count as part of the required experience for RICS professional status.

Year three (Level 6)

Block 1: Contract, Law and Procurement

The module introduces the general principles of the administration of construction-related contracts and their application to industry-related situations. You will learn about the legal framework within which the construction industry sits, relevant legislation, legal processes, contracts, procurement routes, and statutory applications necessary for ethical practice. You will further explore and differentiate the principal types of procurement systems and associated contracts and contract law used in the building industry; the use of standard-form contracts; the influence of procurement methods on roles and responsibilities of stakeholders; and the multi-disciplinary nature of procurement. The module continues the concept of professionalism, responsibilities to the client and the public, communication and negotiation.

Block 2: Quantity Surveying Practice

In this module you will develop the ability to interpret differing client needs and be able to develop relevant procurement strategies for differing clients and building types. The differing construction related contracts and their relationship to controlling risk and quality control will be explored so that you gain a holistic view of the building process. You will gain an understanding of the processes and techniques used to evaluate cost and its management, the concept of risk and value management of construction and property activities will be explored within the context of whole life analysis and cost control. The module emphasises the mandatory RICS competences of client care as well as ethics, rules of conduct and professionalism.

You will also be introduced to the concepts of information management systems and methodologies in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and BIM management as required in the current technology-driven construction industry. The module focuses on aspects associated with implementation of information management systems for data creation, visualisation, usage and sharing on construction projects. The module also covers the current practices and approaches used in the construction industry including sustainable construction practice.

Blocks 3 and 4: Dissertation

This module provides you with the opportunity to engage in a detailed independent study of a self-chosen topic that is relevant to the built environment. The dissertation will develop your ability to manage a project with predetermined objectives; pursue it with logic, rigour and depth; and present the study in an appropriate manner. The final submission may take any of the following formats: written dissertation; written analytical case studies (with supporting material drawings, photographs etc.); drawings and/or models with written explanation; video or multi-media presentation with written explanation. You will receive guidance on how to approach your dissertation in tutorials and you will be given an individual supervisor to support you.

Blocks 3 and 4: Integrated Project

This module is designed to develop your understanding of the key professional relationships between the various disciplines involved in the management of construction projects. This will be achieved and tested through responding to a design brief for adaptation and extension of an existing building. The design proposal will require you to synthesise your previous learning in one major project that combines core areas of architectural technology, quantity surveying and construction, embracing sustainability and regenerative design principles, technological and environmental, innovation and ethical material specifications, balancing affordability with quality control and future resilience. This will develop further your ability to independently and collectively investigate concepts, tools, and techniques relevant to sustainable and regenerative buildings that can achieve net zero carbon.

Note: All modules are subject to change in order to keep content current.