Quantity Surveying

Course overview

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.

“My lecturers were invaluable during my time at university. They were happy to help me, and their advice was key when trying to find placement and graduate roles.”

Verity Kelly

Graduate Quantity Surveyor, Kier

Why Quantity Surveying at Aston University?

Double accredited

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building

Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Excellent student experience

Building was ranked 1st in the UK for student experience 2023 Sunday Times

Quantity Surveying at Aston University

Construction Head of Group, Kenny Park, talks about what it’s like studying at Aston.

Careers and Placements

Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

Course description

BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying

You will master essential techniques for quantity surveying and commercial management in construction. Exploring sustainable practices, cost planning, scheduling, and real-world challenges whilst your experience Birmingham's urban development through guest lectures, site visits, and practical projects.

What we will provide
As part of your degree you will benefit from comprehensive support from both accreditation bodies CIOB and RICS, including access to a wide range of resources. We help to facilitate your Construction Skills Certification Scheme attainment, an industry requirement for health and safety which is strongly desired when seeking placement opportunities. You’ll gain access to industry-standard software like costX and external certification collaborations will enhance your qualification opportunities and placement prospects, prioritising your learning and professional growth.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

What you will provide
We value students who actively participate in industry lead events such as talks and networking, are happy to collaborate effectively across sectors, communicate proficiently, and embrace self-directed learning. Showing initiative and an openness to job shadowing are valuable assets, summer internships, and short placements help contribute to a comprehensive, industry-ready skill set.

What skills we teach
Your degree will cover vital skills needed for a successful career such as communication, ethics, social responsibility, inclusivity, and diversity. You'll develop report and writing skills as well as technical proficiency including construction technology, procurement, cost finance, software/cloud expertise, health and safety, materials, surveying, and digital construction for a comprehensive industry toolkit.

Placement year
Compulsory placements on this degree will enhance your course and portfolio experience. Notable success stories from previous years include placements at Turner and Townsend, Balfour Beatty, RG Constructions, and Atkins, this year within industry will ensure real-world experience and industry connections are established and give you a head start against others.

Career prospects
Our quantity surveying graduates are highly sought-after, often securing roles with their placement companies. The versatile skills you will gain are even appealing beyond the industry, offering opportunities in finance, logistics, and management. Recent roles include Quality Engineer, Risk Advisory Consultant, Building Control Surveyor, and Structural Engineer, with graduates excelling in notable companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Mail, and more.

How you will learn

Our teaching emphasises practical-based learning through industry-relevant methods. You will be taught through lectures, tutorials, and lab sessions for hands-on IT or civil engineering skills. Site visits, guest lectures, and assessments mirror real-world projects in Birmingham and beyond, helping you to obtain industry-level competencies.

If you wish to you can partake in extracurriculars with our built environment society. The society is student-led and often hosts CPD sessions, industry talks, and site visits, enhancing your practical knowledge and industry connections beyond the classroom.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry and individuals, our course provides you with a comprehensive understanding of key quantity surveying concepts and an ability to critically analyse these, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of quantity surveying that interest you.

First year

For your first year you will delve into topics such as construction technology, surveying, contract admin, and digital construction. You will gain crucial skills needed for research and professional relationship-building. Additionally, you’ll grasp business management and accounting which are pivotal competencies for your career.

Second year

During your second year you will focus on technical construction proficiency. Notably, you'll particularly engage with digital construction as per the government's sector digitisation push. Industry-relevant skills will be honed, priming you for a successful placement year and future career.

Placement year

Mandatory placements will enrich your degree and knowledge. Past students have completed successful placements at renowned companies such as Turner and Townsend, Balfour Beatty, RG Constructions, and Atkins. This immersive industry experience establishes connections and gains you a competitive edge for your career.

Final year

For your final year you will combine your knowledge acquired during first, second, and placement year. You will manage a project cohesively from design and scheduling through to costing. Further learning includes health and safety, risk management, measurement and quantification, estimation, contract law, and procurement will ensure you have a well-rounded grasp of construction's intricacies upon graduation.

Civil Engineering Now and Then

Dr Haris Alexakis talks about changes in Civil Engineering

Find out more

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.

Course objectives

Provides you with the opportunities to realise your academic potential through appropriately conceived learning experiences.
Prepares you with 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 a structured curriculum, combining teaching in theoretical and knowledge-based principles with practical skills training
Enables you to have the qualities and skills that are in demand by potential employers and who are able to make a valuable contribution to society in general;
Provides you with the opportunity to obtain relevant industrial experience with the the option of a sandwich year; allowing you to develop 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
Introductory Accounting for Business	15
Construction Materials and Surveying	30
BIM for Construction	15
Study and Research Skills	15
Building Professional Relationships	15
Construction Contract Management and Administration 1	15
Introduction to Business Management	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 and mathematics required for construction.
Be able to explain the fundamental concepts, technology and principles of construction.
Have knowledge of data acquisition, analytical and problem-solving methods applicable to construction project management.
Be able to undertake basic project finance and planning.
Communicate effectively in writing, orally, and graphically.
Have knowledge of study and ICT skills.

Year 2 modules

In your second year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Construction Quantification and Costing	15
Building Information and Digital Construction	30
Health, Safety and Risk Management	15
Construction Contract Management and Administration 2	15
Building Design and Construction Technology	30
Procurement and Cost Management	15
Total	120

Year 2 outcomes

On successful completion of the second year, you will be able to:

Describe the basic legislation and management principles relevant to commercial construction and project management
Analyse the requirements of a problem and select appropriate analytical processes to solve that problem
Apply contract practice within the construction project environment
Apply the principles of conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution
Identify and use procurement management skills
Recognise the role and responsibilities of the professional quantity surveyor in society

Placement year modules

You will spend your third year on placement. You will be fully supported throughout the process by our award-winning Careers and Placements team.

Placement Year

Module Title	Credits
Integrated Placement Year	120

Placement year outcomes

On successful completion of the placement year, you will be able to:

Identify the relevance of the programme's discipline-specific and generic content to the world of work.
Practice your 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 Research Project	30
Construction Technology 3	30
Commercial Management – Advanced Quantification and Costing	30
Construction Design, Costing and Scheduling Project	30
Total	120

Final Year Outcomes

On successful completion of the final year, you will be able to:

Demonstrate the political, social, environmental, economic and business environment in which the construction industry operates.
Practice commercial management skills.
Apply advanced cost planning skills.
Plan, conduct and report on a programme of work leading to an end-product.
Integrate and apply knowledge and methods from a variety of sources.
Demonstrate the principles and applications relevant to construction project management through the life cycle.

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.

Entry requirements

A Levels
With any subjects:
BBC (standard offer)
BCC (with an EPQ or Core Maths* at Grade B)
BCC (contextual offer)

With 1 science or technical subjects:
BCC (standard offer)
CCC (with an EPQ or Core Maths at Grade B)
CCC (contextual offer)
Science or Technical subject: Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Biology, Further Maths, Design Technology, Engineering Science, Electronics, Geography, Geology and Computer Science.

*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 Maths.
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.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: DDM
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction
National Diploma and Diploma: DM plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade B
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Distinction, plus an A Level in any subject at grade C
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: DM plus 2 A-level at minimum grade B National
Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: M plus 2 A-level minimum Grade B
Certificate/ National Certificate Level 3: Not accepted.

29 points and above with 5, 5, 4 in higher level subjects if no science or technical subject studied.
28 overall points with 5, 4, 4 in higher level subjects including a science or technical subject.

We accept the QAA-recognised Access Diploma which must consist of 45 credits at Level 3.

You must obtain a minimum of 30 distinction and the rest must be at merit or distinction.

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:

Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction Grade D
Digital Production, Design and Development Grade D
Building Services Engineering for Construction Grade D
Onsite Construction Grade D
Digital Business Services Grade D
Digital Support Services Grade D
Health Grade D
Healthcare Science Grade D
Science Grade D
Design and Development for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D
Engineering Manufacturing Processing and Control Grade D
Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering Manufacturing Grade D

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement, you will also need to have achieved:

GCSE Maths Grade B/5 and English Grade C/4 and above.

If the Level 3 qualification completed includes a preferred subject, the GCSE requirement is lowered to Maths Grade C/4 and English Grade C/4.

International students

Aston University is a diverse, close community and welcomes international students on many of our undergraduate programmes. Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. Based in the centre of Birmingham, Aston is not only a great place to study, it’s also a great place to live.

Qualifications in your country

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

English language requirements

International students can enter at Year 2 of this course having completed an undergraduate year one programme at the required academic level with approved teaching partners ONCAMPUS Aston or NCUK.

Aston University provides a range of opportunities for international students to join our community and study on our campus. A key part of our strategy is our relationships with teaching partners, providing multiple pathways to Aston.

Aston’s professional work placements can improve your chance of securing a graduate job. Placements give you experience, confidence and opportunities and, as an Aston student, you’ll be better prepared for your future career. One of the great things about Aston is our focus on employability. Our close links with businesses, industries and professions make this possible.

Find out more about applying

Post-study work visa

Aston University welcomed the creation of a new Graduate Immigration Route which enables international students to remain in the UK for two years after you complete your studies to find work. This new post-study work visa applies to international students completing full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Graduate Immigration Route

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

UK students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£9,250
During placement year:	£1,250

International students
(2024/25)

Annual tuition fees:	£18,150
During placement year:	£2,500

More information on fees

For Home students: Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy.

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.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

The way we assess you will be diverse, blending exams with coursework, portfolio submissions, and digital design on platforms. Assessing you through different practices will help gain an overall understanding of your knowledge.

Career prospects

Our quantity surveying graduates are in high demand, frequently landing positions with their placement firms. Recent graduate roles include Construction and Project Management, Risk Advisory Consultancy, Procurement Advisor and Management, and Structural Engineering. Notable companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Turner and Townsend have hired previous Aston University graduates who are enjoying fantastic careers.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study Quantity Surveying at Aston?

Quantity surveyors are in high demand as the construction industry continues to grow and thrive. This accredited course will give you the skills and experience you need to lead a successful and fulfilling career in quantity surveying.

How will a placement year benefit me?

We think that the knowledge you gain through your studies are best applied to real life and the most effective way to do this is by working in a company. As well as the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned, you’ll also gain invaluable communication and team skills.

We have excellent links with industry and will help to arrange this placement for you.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham