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Live projects and employer collaboration are built into every stage of your degree

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Learn from a living city, with major projects and leading firms on your doorstep

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The course is RICS-accredited, putting you on track to become a Chartered Building Surveyor

Overview

From blueprint to lifespan: drive every stage of a building’s journey

A Building Surveyor shapes, protects and improves the spaces where people live and work. It’s a career that blends technical skills, problem-solving and strategic thinking - giving you real influence over the built environment.

Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to take your career further, this degree gives you the knowledge, hands-on experience and professional grounding to succeed in the construction and property sectors. With full-time and part-time study options, we’ve designed this course to fit your lifestyle.

With over 100 years of teaching heritage, tracing back to the London Council School of Building (1904) and the Brixton School of Building (1940), we’ve always been preparing surveyors for the real world. Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the course combines rigorous study with practical industry experience. You’ll cover everything from sustainability and energy performance to building regulations, fire safety, procurement and contract administration. Modules are constantly updated to reflect the latest industry standards, so you graduate with the skills employers value most.

You’ll learn to interpret, analyse and manage complex building data, solve problems creatively, and make decisions that matter. By the end of your degree, you’ll be ready to take on professional roles, work in multidisciplinary teams, and pursue Chartered status with confidence.

You will have access to – and be trained in – the latest industry-standard software used across the built environment sector, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Revit. These tools are widely used by architects, engineers and construction professionals to create detailed drawings, 3D models and technical documentation, giving you practical digital skills valued by employers.

You’ll have access to industry-standard facilities in a central London location, placing you at the heart of one of the city’s most dynamic and evolving urban landscapes. With Elephant and Castle - a multimillion-pound regeneration area – on your doorstep, the constantly changing streetscape provides daily inspiration. You’ll also have direct access to major construction projects, diverse buildings, and industry leaders - perfect for site visits, live briefs, and networking opportunities that bring your studies to life.

Blue-chip firms such as Atkins, Baillie Gifford and Cushman & Wakefield have delivered recent guest lectures, giving you insights from some of the best in the industry. You’ll also have opportunities to network with top-tier consultancies including Hollis and CBRE, and benefit from site visits to major projects such as Mulberry Court, seeing construction in action.

Apply now and take your first step towards becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor - shaping the buildings and spaces that will define tomorrow’s cities

Always innovating – Construction, Property and Surveying at LSBU

Is this course right for me? 

If you’re a problem-solver with an eye for detail, then this course is for you. If you enjoy combining technical knowledge with practical application, then this course is for you. If you’re curious about how buildings work, enthusiastic about sustainability, and driven to shape the future of the built environment, then this course is for you.

And if you’re looking for a career that’s varied, rewarding and can take you anywhere in the world, then this course is for you.

Above all though, if you’re hungry to create your own version of success then LSBU is right for you. Because the making of you doesn’t begin and end with just your degree, everything that’s brought you here today is part of your story; your experiences, the life you’ve lived, the skills you’ve gained and the goals you’re chasing.

Not only do we see this, but we value that in you. We’re not in the business of forcing you into moulds, instead we’re here to help you break them. If you’re ready to embark on a journey of hard work, fulfilment and self-discovery, then Building Surveying at LSBU is definitely right for you.

Course Content

What will I learn? 

You’ll build a strong foundation in the knowledge and principles that shape the built environment, from law, technology, and business management to economics and land use. You’ll explore how these areas come together in real-world construction and property projects, and dive deeper into specialist topics such as building surveying, real estate, construction, and professional ethics.

You’ll develop the thinking skills to tackle complex problems, analyse data and evidence, and make informed, professional decisions. You’ll plan and carry out independent research, reflect on experience, and balance practical considerations like risk, cost, safety, sustainability, and design - preparing you to handle real challenges in the workplace.

Alongside theory, you’ll gain hands-on skills that bring your learning to life. You’ll work with software, interpret data, maps, plans, and drawings, and apply measurement techniques on real sites and buildings. You’ll also sharpen the professional skills employers value most: communicating effectively, working in teams, managing your time, and learning independently with confidence.

This module focuses on building services and the environmental performance and develops an understanding of how buildings perform in the areas of acoustics, heat and moisture transfer, lighting, ventilation and air conditioning design. The underlying principles of each topic will be covered, together with more advanced applications, enabling you to demonstrate an understanding of building performance to other professionals within the industry. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.

This module focuses on the principles and application of surveying in the construction industry using both traditional and modern surveying technology, including the establishment of horizontal/vertical control and basic setting out techniques and processes. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

This unit will introduce you to the study of building materials and how buildings are pieced together (i.e. building technology). Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam. 

This module will introduce you to the study of building technology associated with larger, more complex buildings, as well as to the fundamentals of structural analysis. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.

The legal content of this module will introduce the sources and basic rules of UK law, including common law and statute law, as it affects construction and property professionals. It will introduce construction contract law, and tort and restitution law as they affect professionals. It will explain the differences between common law and equity and criminal law, and their relevance to construction and property professionals. It will establish the legal and ethical framework of Health and Safety regulation. The economics content of the module will introduce you to micro and macroeconomics, and will examine the theoretical and empirical framework of economics, including price formation, the theory of the firm, degrees of competition, Government economic objectives, monetary policy, behavioural economics, contract theory, inflation and unemployment. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge of the interrelationships between industry, professional bodies and education, and an understanding of key professional and research requirements. It will provide you with a roadmap for your professional career and will enable you to prepare for employment in the construction discipline. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

This module examines the various types of construction contracts, including families of standard construction contracts, and the common law and legislation and administrative procedures which govern them. It provides a working knowledge and understanding of construction contract legal problems, and related applicable law, such as non-contractual liabilities. It examines when a dispute arises in legal terms, and how dispute resolution methods may be employed to resolve problems and disputes. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

This module will give you a practical insight into managing property. The roles and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants will be considered in property management, as well as financial calculations informing property management decisions. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam. 

This module examines the structure and role of development controls within the development process. Planning policy and building regulations are looked at to understand how planning and building controls influence the success of a development, as well as its compliance with development policy. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

This module focuses on the range of techniques used by building surveying professionals in the undertaking of different types of surveys on commercial and large residential properties. It also focuses on the development of planned maintenance programmes and reviews financial controls and planned roll-out programmes of work, facility and asset management, building and fire safety legislation, post occupancy legislation incl. the Party Wall etc Act. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

This module is an in-depth review of key aspects of architecture theory, modern design and conservation through the study of selected British case studies. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

This module looks at the increasing important role of energy and environmental factors that are increasingly impacting on buildings, their use, and their occupants. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam. 

Optional placement year

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent piece of research, investigating in depth a subject in which you have a particular interest and of your own selection. You'll have to submit a dissertation of between 6,000 and 10,000 words. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

In recent years the specialism of construction project management has been developed by construction professionals working within construction companies, construction consultancies and the public sector. This specialism is required to achieve effective and efficient management of the whole construction process from inception to completion. This module seeks to support this response by introducing the theory underlying project management and applying this to practical issues and problems in the construction industry. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.

This module looks at the role of the entrepreneur and how to set up a business, forms of ownership, the management and marketing of a business, in addition to understanding the financial accounts and risk management. Assessment method: 100% coursework. 

This module provides the knowledge necessary for the execution of the contractual duties of architects, building surveyors, property and construction managers in contracting and development companies, consultancy practice, public service and private corporations. It's designed to build on and apply knowledge obtained from a study of construction law. The module is an introduction to the period of professional training necessary to qualify as a professional and covers key areas of practice. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam. 

The module focuses upon a range of techniques used by building surveying professionals in the development of a proposed scheme of work, from the initial receipt of the client’s instructions to the development of the clients brief in relation to a proposed redevelopment scheme which ultimately must be signed off by the client or its appointed representative. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

This module focuses on introducing you to the various principles of law and valuation that are relevant to surveyors working in the construction and property industries. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

* Modules are subject to review and change throughout the year.

Teaching and Assessment

How will I learn?

We use a blended approach to teaching that combines lectures, workshops, seminars, and practical classes to bring theory to life. Core concepts are introduced in lectures, then applied through collaborative workshops, problem-solving exercises, and project-based work that mirror professional practice. Throughout your studies, you’ll develop technical, intellectual, and practical skills progressively - from foundational knowledge and applied techniques to advanced problem-solving and specialist expertise. Individual and group assignments, projects, and the final-year dissertation ensure you gain the confidence to analyse complex building data, make informed decisions, and tackle real-world surveying challenges.

Assessment is just as varied and immersive, designed to support your growth at every stage. You’ll be evaluated through a combination of examinations, coursework, presentations, seminars, and project work, including client-style briefs and site-based exercises. Practical skills are assessed
through project reports and hands-on exercises, while time-constrained tests, oral presentations, and essays build resilience, analytical thinking, and professional communication. Across all levels, assessments are structured to reflect the demands of the surveying profession, giving you the experience
and confidence to excel in your future career.

Careers

What’s in it for me?

This is your future. Your career. Your success. And we’re here for it.

Going to university might just be the biggest investment you ever make, but with us by your side you can turn a degree into a bright future, full of purpose, passion and career you can be proud of (which may be why our graduates earn the highest average salaries across London Modern universities).

Our Building Surveying BSc (Hons) is accredited by RICS, CIOB and CABE.

This course is accredited by RICS.

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors logo
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.

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. You’ll benefit directly from our longstanding ties to the industry.

Our current students and alumni hold key positions in their organisation, often as senior managers and business owners.

You will also have access to range of networking events as well.

We can help you develop contacts in SMEs and larger construction companies through our annual careers fair.  Our partners who attend the careers fair are actively recruiting graduates, and many of our students get job offers as a result.

Recent graduate jobs have been at leading global companies such as:

  • Atkins
  • Bailey Garner
  • CBRE
  • GD Surveyors
  • Haringey Council
  • Hollis
  • Prepper
  • Savils

Our industry partners also visit campus to meet with students and offer support with CV writing and interview technique.

With Building Surveying BSc (Hons) you also get (icons):

Dedicated career support. Recent graduates have secured building surveying positions at companies including Atkins, GD Surveyors, Haringey Council and Prepper.

To study in a central London £4bn regeneration area and take part in a wealth of site visits, field trips and tours organised by our industry partners.

A range of benefits thanks to our decades of accreditation by the

CIOB, RICS and CABE. Studying an accredited course means the programme has been independently assessed by a professional body to ensure it meets recognised industry standards. Accreditation signals to employers that your degree has been designed with the profession in mind and can also support your progression towards professional membership or chartered status.

LSBU CareerSmart is your ultimate gateway to career success. Our innovative programme is designed to ensure you graduate with more than just a degree, providing the support you need to stand out in a competitive job market. We've got all the tools you need, including:

  • AI Powered Career Sets - Get instant personalised feedback on your CV and cover letter by submitting it via our AI powered career tool.
  • Gamification Interviews - Get ready to pass those interviews with unlimited training access to our gamification interviews and psychometric tests!
  • Personalised Career Development Dashboard - Keep up with your skills progression with free access to practical assessments, LinkedIn learning, mentoring, and industry-standard facilities.

We understand that you’re in the driver’s seat of your career, which is why we’re committed to matching your passion and energy every step of the way.

Find out more

Entry Level Requirements

112 UCAS points. Visit UCAS for guidance on the tariff.

GCSE Maths grade C or above or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

If you do not meet the entry criteria above we also review any previous skills, knowledge or experience you have gained outside of your education and are happy to talk through any extenuating circumstances you feel relevant.

Choose your country

  • Afghanistan
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  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Council Women in STEM Scholarships
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
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  • France
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  • Germany
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  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
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  • Ireland
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  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
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  • Malaysia
  • Malta
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  • Mexico
  • Mongolia
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  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
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  • Oman
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  • Poland
  • Portugal
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  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
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  • Singapore
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  • South Africa
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  • United Arab Emirates
  • United States of America
  • Uzbekistan
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Need further information?

Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.

More contact info

Apply

Course delivery modes and application methods

Mode Duration Start date Application code Application method
Full-time 3 or 4 years (4 year option includes work placement) September K230 UCAS
Part-time 5 years September 4995 Direct to LSBU

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

How to apply

International students

International applicants can apply directly to LSBU and should consult our international how to apply guide for further information on the application process and key dates.

Accommodation

Prepare to start

Applicant events
After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course. You’ll also be invited to our Applicant Taster Day so keep your eyes peeled!
Enrolment
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 enrolment pages.

Fees

United Kingdom

£9790

Tuition fees for home students

International

£17400

Tuition fees for international students

Tuition fees are subject to annual inflationary increases. Find out more about tuition fees for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses.

full-time

Full-time Year 1 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (FT) - Year 1 FT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £9790 International fee: £17400
AOS/LSBU code: 4596 Session code: 1FS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Full-time Year 2 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (FT) - Year 2 FT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £9790 International fee: £17400
AOS/LSBU code: 4596 Session code: 2FS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Full-time Year 3 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (FT) - Year 3 Sandwich Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £0 International fee: £0
AOS/LSBU code: 4596 Session code: 3FS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Full-time Year 4 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (FT) - Year 4 FT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £9790 International fee: £17400
AOS/LSBU code: 4596 Session code: 4FS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

part-time

Part-time Year 1 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (PT) - Year 1 PT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £5874 International fee: £10440
AOS/LSBU code: 4595 Session code: 1PS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Part-time Year 2 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (PT) - Year 2 PT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £5874 International fee: £10440
AOS/LSBU code: 4595 Session code: 2PS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Part-time Year 3 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (PT) - Year 3 PT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £5874 International fee: £10440
AOS/LSBU code: 4595 Session code: 3PS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Part-time Year 4 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (PT) - Year 4 PT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £5874 International fee: £10440
AOS/LSBU code: 4595 Session code: 4PS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

Part-time Year 5 - All Available Courses

BSc (Hons) Building Surveying (PT) - Year 5 PT Southwark SEPT
The fee shown is for entry 2026/27
UK fee: £5874 International fee: £10440
AOS/LSBU code: 4595 Session code: 5PS00
Total course fee for this location/stream:

* The full amount is subject to fee increases, the total shown below is based on current fees.

UK: £29370
International: £52200

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

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 checking at the the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) find your fee status page.

Visit our Policies and procedures page for details on fees policies.

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 to reflect increased costs of delivery and to maintain an a high-quality student experience. This increase would be no more than Consumer Prices Index (CPI) increases plus 5%.

Scholarships

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

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