You will master essential techniques for quantity surveying and commercial management in construction. Exploring sustainable practices, cost planning, scheduling, and real-world challenges whilst you experience Birmingham's urban development through guest lectures, site visits, and practical projects.
Quantity Surveying
BSc (Hons)
Master vital skills for efficient project management, sustainable infrastructure, and construction cost insights on our dual accredited quantity surveying degree.
Location: Aston University, Birmingham
Course overview
Course description
Facilities
Teaching won’t just be lectures, you’ll have workshops, guest lectures, and visits to relevant sites to make sure your understanding is grounded in industry, ensuring you are ready for the working world when you graduate.
Complete your practical work in our brand new, state of art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, materials and structures, the latest industry-standard engineering software packages, and a well-resourced and staffed library.
We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.
Course Objectives
- Provide you with the opportunities to realise their academic potential through appropriately conceived learning
experiences; - Provides a thorough grounding in the basic principles and associated practices required by the construction industry with particular emphasis on relevant quantity surveying skills;
- Provides you with an appropriately structured curriculum, combining teaching in theoretical and knowledge based principles with practical skills training;
- Produces you with the qualities and skills that are in demand by potential employers and who are able to make a valuable contribution to society in general;
- Offers you the opportunity to obtain relevant industrial experience by providing the option of a sandwich year; and provide you with a working knowledge of the techniques and an understanding of the skills required by quantity surveyors and commercial managers within the construction industry.
Modules
Modules and Learning Outcomes
Year 1 modules
In your first year you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Introduction to Business Management | 15 |
| Construction Materials | 15 |
| Engineering Surveying | 15 |
| Introductory Programming for Engineering and Physical Sciences | 15 |
| Power Skills | 15 |
| Building Professional Relationships | 15 |
| Law for the Built Environment | 15 |
| Interdisciplinary Design Project | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 1 outcomes
On successful completion of the first year, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of science, programming, and mathematics required for construction.
- Explain the fundamental concepts, technology and principles of construction.
- Analyse the business and legal context relevant to construction.
- Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental professional skills.
- Create a solution as part of (interdisciplinary) teams to a design problem subject to identified constraints, evaluate the design and make improvements, using appropriate design tools and techniques.
- Evaluate and interpret data using industry-standard methods and communicate information effectively to ensure data-driven approaches to decision-making in solving complex problems.
- Use sustainable development strategies that reflect a deep understanding of the Circular Economy, Net-Zero strategies, Design and Systems Thinking, and Global Social Responsibility and lead to solutions that are ethically sound and
globally relevant. - Employ integrated problem-solving skills to analyse challenging and
multifaceted problems considering professional, social, and ethical contexts.
Year 2 modules
In your second year you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Construction Quantification and Costing | 15 |
| BIM for Construction | 15 |
| Digital Construction | 15 |
| Health, Safety and Risk Management | 15 |
| Construction Contract Management and Administration | 15 |
| Building Construction and Technology | 15 |
| Procurement and Cost Management | 15 |
| Financial Management in Construction | 15 |
| Total | 120 |
Year 2 outcomes
On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:
- Apply industry standard procedures to appraise, measure and cost construction projects.
- Evaluate alternative construction and digital technologies for construction project delivery.
- Investigate the contract and risk management practice within the construction project environment and propose reasoned solutions.
- Apply the principles of conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution
- Evaluate the financial and procurement challenges and develop effective strategies for construction project delivery
- Evaluate the role and responsibilities of the professional construction project manager in construction.
Placement year modules
If you opt for an integrated placement year, you will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.
| Module Title | Credits |
| Placement Year | 120 |
Placement year outcomes
On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:
- Apply the programme's discipline-specific and generic content to the world of work.
- Practice team-working skills.
- Develop independent learning skills to facilitate professional development.
Final year modules
In your final year, you will study the following core modules:
| Module Title | Credits |
| Final Year Project | 30 |
| Building Services and Maintenance Management | 30 |
| Commercial Management and Quantification | 30 |
| Integrated Project – Quantity Surveying | 30 |
| Total | 120 |
Final Year Outcomes
On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:
- Evaluate the technological, social, environmental, economic and business environment within which the construction industry operates
- Deploy commercial management skills to tackle commercial challenges
- Apply advanced cost management skills to secure financial performance of construction projects
- Plan, conduct and report on a programme of work leading to an end-product
- Integrate and critique knowledge and methods from a variety of sources to undertake research into real-world construction problems
- Critically evaluate the principles and applications relevant to quantity surveying practice during the life cycle of a project
Entry requirements
A Levels
BBC (any subject) or BCC when including one STEM* (b) subject
BCC (any subject) or CCC when including one STEM* (b) subject (with an EPQ or Core Maths* at grade B)
BCC (any subject) or CCC when including one STEM* (b) subject (contextual offer)
List of *STEM (b) subjects: Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Design Technology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, Computer Science, Biology, Electronics.
*List of core maths qualifications we accept: AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies, City & Guilds Certificate in Using and Applying Mathematics, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Problem Solving, OCR (MEI)* Certificate in Quantitative Reasoning, Pearson Edexcel Certificate in Mathematics in Context, WJEC Eduqas Certificate in Mathematics for Work and Life and Level 3 Core Math.
Contextual offers
Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma (any subject): DDM.
- 1 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma (any subject): M, plus 2 A-levels at grade B.
- 2 BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificates or Subsidiary Diplomas (any subjects): DM, plus 1 A-level at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 1 A-level at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Foundation or 90 credits Diploma (any subject): DM, plus 2 A-levels at grade B.
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction.
- Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction, plus 1 A-level at grade C.
- Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.
29 overall with 5, 5, 4 in any Higher Level subjects.
OR
28 overall with 5, 4, 4 in Higher Level subjects, including 1 STEM (b) subject.
We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of at least 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits at Level 3.
OR
15 Distinctions, 21 Merits and 9 Passes at Level 3, including 15 credits in STEM (b) subject units.
Please note that we do not accept the English and Maths components within the Access qualification and you must meet the GCSE entry requirement.
The following T levels are accepted qualifications for this course:
- Accounting Grade D
- Agriculture, Land Management and Production Grade D
- Animal Care and Management Grade D
- Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
- Catering Grade D
- Craft and Design Grade D
- Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
- Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D
- Digital Business Services Grade D
- Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
- Digital Support Services Grade D
- Education and Childcare Grade D
- Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control Grade D
- Finance Grade D
- Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy Grade D
- Legal Services Grade D
- Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing Grade D
- Management and Administration Grade D
- Media, Broadcast and Production Grade D
- Onsite Construction Grade D
- Health Grade D
- Healthcare Science Grade D
- Science Grade D
Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:
- GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
- GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4
Non-standard qualifications
Degree
Year 1 entry: We may consider applicants for year 1 entry who are undertaking a 1st year degree elsewhere. You must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent Level 3) requirements as listed. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 2 entry: Please note that second-year transfers are not part of the standard admissions process and is up to the discretion of the admissions team and tutor. Applications are only considered if there is space in that year of the programme.
Typically, applicants for second-year entry must meet the GCSEs and A level (or equivalent) requirements as listed. Alongside this you must have successfully passed (or be expected to pass) your first year with 120 credits on an equivalent programme at another recognised university with very similar module content.
The equivalency of the programme is reviewed by the Admissions Tutor and you will be required to provide an official copy of the programme specification of this. In order to be considered you will need to submit a UCAS application as we do not accept direct applications and this must include an academic reference from your current institution.
Year 3: We will not be able to consider any application for Year 3.
Fees and scholarships
Course fees
UK students
(2025/26)
| Annual tuition fees: | £9,250 |
| During placement year: | £1,250 |
International students
(2025/26)
| Annual tuition fees: | £21,500 |
| During placement year: | £2,500 |
For Sandwich courses the placement fee is £1250 for Home/UK students and £2,500 for International students. For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy. When undertaking a placement year, a placement year fee applies. For International students: The International students fee is a fixed annual fee for the duration of the Programme, except whilst on placement when a placement year fee applies.
