Building Surveying PgDip / MSc / Top-up to MSc

By studying a combination of core and optional modules the course provides the skills required to practise. In order to complete the MSc stage, you are required to take a Research Methods unit and undertake a dissertation on a topic approved by your supervisor.

Core modules

• Building pathology
  This module introduces students to the 'science' of building defects both in terms of diagnosis and remedial measures.
• Property and building law
  This unit focuses on various areas of construction and property law as applied in the construction and property industries.
• Building surveying project
  This unit covers the range of techniques used by building surveying professionals to develop a design scheme for new or refurbished buildings from initial client brief through to working drawings and statutory approval of the scheme for Planning and Building Regulation Approval.
• Use and performance of buildings
  This module covers the technologies used to reduce the carbon emissions from new and refurbished large buildings. The efficacy of proposals to reduce this burden is examined in terms of energy use, costs and carbon emissions.
• Property and asset management
  This module focuses on the knowledge base and range of techniques used by building surveyors and facility managers in the assessment and management process of property assets, their planned maintenance and statutory compliance and disasters recovery.
• Dissertation (MSc Only)
  The module provides the opportunity for students to undertake an independent piece of research, investigating in depth a subject in which they have a particular interest and of their own selection. Each student will submit a dissertation of between 15,000- 20,000 words. The module includes teaching of research methods.

Additional modules (conversion course only)

• Institutional and legal context for property
  This module focuses on introducing students to the various areas of law and issues of professional practice used and applied in the construction and property industries.
• Construction
  This module provides a broad and critical perspective of the construction and assembly of buildings and their performance requirements and also to provide an understanding of the context in which construction decisions are made and implemented.
• Valuations and surveying
  This module establishes a base level of knowledge and skills in relation to surveying and valuation and develops technical an appreciation of appraising buildings and building defects. It introduces Planning, Building Control, relevant legislation and forms of building contracts. The module also introduces valuation practice and procedures.

Optional modules

Please be aware that option selection is subject to availability.

• Behavioural finance
  The module develops a comprehensive understanding of the affective and deliberative decision-making process underlined in any real estate decision and it transition mechanism to market prices.
• Building control
  The module focuses upon the control and enforcement of the Building Regulations and associated legislation, along with supporting technical documents and alternative solutions, to meet specific regulative requirements as they apply to various building schemes.
• Building Information Modelling and Collaborative Working
  A module to provide a general understanding of the role that BIM can play throughout the design, construction and operation of building assets. It looks to identify and develop the necessary managerial, technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver better value through a collaborative BIM approach.
• Health and safety management in construction
  This module focuses on the management of safety on site – a process which can be applied to a wide range of work settings and project types.
• History of architecture and construction
  This module examines the inter-relationship between building design and production as it occurred throughout historical time. Particular attention will be paid to those periods in history when major transformations occurred in architectural style and the building process. Other historical themes will also be pursued.
• International real estate and construction
  This module introduces students to the international context of real estate markets, construction industry and project development. It specifically focuses on the activity of international real estate investors and large construction companies. The module also provides students a comparative perspective on real estate markets and construction process.
• Legal resolution of property and construction disputes
  This module focuses on the range of dispute resolution techniques used by construction and property professionals to resolve and manage disputes in the construction and property industries.

Course structure

The following tables indicate the modular structure of the overall qualification for each of its modes.

Nearly 100% of graduates have found employment since the inception of this course. Graduates work in a range of organisations including both small and large private practices, local authorities, housing associations and government organisations, as well as property and construction companies.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Expertise and history

London South Bank University has a long history of educating professionals for the building-related industries. With roots in the London Council School of Building (1904) and the Brixton School of Building (1940), we have been offering training in this sector for over 100 years.

We have links with major real estate consultancies, property companies, contractors, cost consultants and developers to ensure our courses are highly relevant for the current market. Our current students and alumni hold key positions in their organisation, often as senior managers and business owners.

Guest lectures

A series of guest lectures are provided as part of the Institutional and Legal Context module. Highlights have been:

• Dr Clair Benson, School of Engineering and Professor Max Weaver, School of Law discussed tall building and fire safety in the light of Grenfell
• Ion Fletcher, Direct of Policy at the British Property Federation spoke about fraud in the construction industry and what it means for business in practice
• Chris Blye OBE FCMA, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Buildings, spoke of modern slavery in the construction industry

Surveying project

We want our students to have 'real world' experiences while studying at LSBU, so field work is a major component. Our surveying and construction courses give our students the opportunity to carry out a construction project. Their work will take into account current construction technologies, energy efficiency solutions and environmental and sustainability issues.

The project is very detailed and is carried out across site visits, analysing on-going construction projects and an appraisal of eco-technologies. These factors can be influenced by location, and our field trips can take our students both overseas to expanding countries like Dubai, or round the corner to building developments happening on our own campus.

Market report and case study analysis

Students on our MSc Surveying courses can choose to study International Real Estate & Construction as an optional module. This requires students to go on a study visit to an international city which has an emerging real estate and construction market.

Past students have gone abroad either to Dubai or Shanghai. The field trip includes visits to real estate companies and construction firms, site visits and meetings with various professionals. From these briefings, students need to produce a country report with detailed strategy, including how they could break through in the real estate or construction market overseas.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a mark of quality assurance and professional relevance. The MSc and the PgDip is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is a recognised qualification for students to progress on to the Assessment of Professional Competence Graduate Training Programme.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world's leading professional body for setting standards in the surveying industry. They have accredited our degrees and diplomas for almost 50 years.

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Conversion

• A minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree, the subject area does not matter as number of students undertake the course as part of a career change

For Surveying graduates/professionals

• A minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree in a Surveying subject, or
• Corporate membership of a professional body concerned with property or construction, for example, CIOB, RIBA, RTPI, CIOH or other relevant body of equal standing.

APEL/APL

• An applicant who is offered a place on the course may seek credit for recent prior academic qualification or professional experience. The applicant should expect to demonstrate to the Course Director and Module Coordinator substantial relevant knowledge and skills at least equivalent to Level 6 or Level 7. Applications should be made before the commencement of the semester in which the particular modules are being offered.
• Please note however, that if you are granted any APEL/APL which allows you module exemption you will be ineligible for a Student Finance England Postgraduate Loan. If you have already started to receive loan instalments and you are then granted module exemption, the University has a duty to inform SFE that you are no longer eligible for the loan and no further loan payments will be made.

Part-time additional requirements

Taking our part-time route requires you to be in employment related to Building Surveying (a reference from your employer will be required).

Admissions based on experience

Applicants who do not meet this requirement will be considered for entry on the basis of the length and quality of their employment experience in areas cognate to surveying and construction. Evidence of this will be required in support of any application made.

International students

International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.

See our admissions policy (PDF File 298 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 448 KB).

Accommodation

Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as a postgraduate student.

Postgraduate Application Service

Book a session with one of our specialist Postgraduate Advisors. Over a one on one Advice Session they'll advise you on postgraduate degrees at LSBU that match your interests and experience. Book an Advice Session.

We offer different course options depending on your circumstances:

• If you hold an undergraduate Surveying degree, you should apply for the ‘Surveying graduates’ route as you will study fewer modules; your previous study will be taken into account.
• If you do not hold an undergraduate Surveying degree, you should apply for our ‘Conversion’ course
• For either of the above routes, you can opt to study either a full Masters qualification or a PGDip (without dissertation) qualification. Please note: Postgraduate loan funding via Student Finance England is only available for students taking full Masters courses without any module exemptions. PGDip courses are ineligible for this scheme.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 146 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Postgraduate loan (PGL) for Masters study

If you are starting a Masters course, studying either full- or part-time, you may be entitled to apply for a postgraduate study loan. Find out more at our postgraduate fees and funding section.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on funding your studies on the scholarships and fee discounts page.

Fee status

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

Apply for the Stuart A Johnson scholarship

After accepting your place on the MSc Building Surveying programme, you are encouraged to apply for the Stuart A Johnson scholarship. This scholarship is offered to new MSc Building Surveying, MSc Construction Project Management and MSc Quantity Surveying students and is a £4,000 waiver towards your fees.

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  Kavyne Morris, MSc Building Surveying, scholarship recipient

  Kavyne Morris, MSc Building Surveying, says the Stuart A Johnson scholarship has eased her progression onto postgraduate studies at LSBU.

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  Angela Anderson, MSc Building Surveying, scholarship recipient

  Angel Anderson is a recipient of a Stuart A Johnson Scholarship and is now studying the MSc Building Surveying course at London South Bank University.

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  Oliver Weston, MSc Building Surveying, scholarship recipient

  Oliver Weston is a recipient of the Vice Chancellor's Scholarship and is now studying the MSc Building Surveying course at London South Bank University.

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  Stuart Johnson, Building Surveying, LSBU alumni

  Stuart Johnson graduated from LSBU with a degree in Building Surveying in 1984 and has since worked at a number of firms, as well as publishing a book called Greener Buildings.

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  Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre

  LSBU is helping transform the construction industry through its Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre. The BIM Centre acts as a hub for innovation, professional training and networking amongst practice experts in the built environmental sector. These facilities are used by students and for short courses.

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  OfficePOD, BSc Building Surveying, LSBU alumni

  LSBU alumni Stephen Tanner and Rob Walters launched their company OfficePOD, which creates a working environment that can be refitted, relocated and redeployed as part of a corporate real estate strategy.

We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.

Welcome Week

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Welcome Week pages.

Apply for the Stuart A Johnson scholarship

After accepting your place on the MSc Building Surveying programme, you are encouraged to apply for the Stuart A Johnson scholarship. This scholarship is offered to new MSc Building Surveying, MSc Construction Project Management and MSc Quantity Surveying students and is a £4,000 waiver towards your fees.