BSc (Hons) Commercial Management (Quantity Surveying)

With a broad construction curriculum, this course will make you fully equipped to take up professional responsibility in a management role within the construction industry. We’ll cover: management and business practice, law, economics, construction technology and materials, measurement and project appraisal.

Methods of assessment for course overall: 65% coursework.

Year 1

• Building services and environmental science
  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.
• Construction technology and materials
  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.
• Construction technology and structures
  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.
• Construction practice
  This unit focuses on the teaching of various interpersonal, learning and communication  skills that will support students in their studies at university and lay a foundation for professional practice in the construction industry. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Legal and economic context in Built Environment
  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 provide an introduction to 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 macro economics, 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.
• Surveying and setting out
  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.

Year 2

• Measurement 1 and documentation
  This module provides an understanding of the fundamental concepts underlying the requirement to quantify and specify construction work. You'll establish the underlying principles required for the independent production of tender documents. The module will also provide the basic practical skills in measurement required for private practice, contracting and public service. Assessment method: 100% coursework
• Measurement 2 and estimating
  This module is designed to provide you with a sufficient grounding in measurement and analytical estimating to both, you will be able to apply measurement skills to more advanced forms of construction and perform measurement and estimating duties and learn how to use Cato and CostX for measurement and estimation. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Construction Contract Law
  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 methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Project Appraisal and Cost Control
  The module will focus on the Quantity Surveying (QS) techniques for appraising projects, developing cost plans, project budget and cash flow, controlling contract costs, valuation procedures and dealing with the administration of contracts and payments. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% class
• Building economics
  This module is about the economics of the construction and property sectors. It focuses on providing a description of the construction sector and an economic explanation of markets and industries, as well as some of the major features of construction products. Furthermore, it briefly provides an economic analysis of how investment, property and construction link together and to the wider economy. It also examines the role of regulation in dealing with negative externalities. Aspects of European construction will be examined, and flexible production in the context of construction organisations will be discussed. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Management of organisation
  This module has two broad approaches. The first is an analytical approach to understanding organisations and managerial actions by considering the development of management theory, through the Classical Schools of thought up to the present day. This includes the nature of the roles of management, and the competencies required to manage organisations. The second approach introduces human resource management, the principles of personnel management and industrial relations, with particular reference to the construction industry. In parallel to the above broad areas of analysis and management practice, you'll spend time developing aspects of personal skills important in carrying out future management roles. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Year 3

• Optional placement year

Year 4

• Contract practice and administration 
  This module provides the knowledge necessary for the execution of the contractual duties of the quantity surveyor and commercial manager 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.
• Corporate management and finance
  This module will provide an introduction to financial and corporate management through an outline of the types of firm, their sources of finance, and the requirement to keep accounts and develop corporate strategy to match the firm's specific objectives. The module will explore the changing nature of financial and business markets, the need to budget and to plan in uncertain environments, and will provide an understanding of corporate governance and business ethics. The development of an understanding of finance and accounts supplemented by an understanding of markets, of opportunities and threats, will lead to the wider issues of corporate and strategic planning. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Research project
  This module applies research method skills on a project-based, applied research topic chosen by you, which includes two main phases: an initial research project proposal submitted for approval and the preparation of the full research project at the end of the module. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Project management
  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: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Sustainable Construction and Environment
  The aim of this module is to develop the students understanding of energy use in the construction and use of a building and the resulting environmental demands. As buildings consume a large proportion of the total energy used in industrial countries, students should be able to evaluate the design implications of poor energy efficiency in terms of cost, environmental impact and legislative consequences. Assessment methods: 50% coursework, 50% exam.
• Quantity surveying project
  The aims of the module are to develop knowledge of quantity surveying and commercial management practices in an integrated project setting and to develop a practical understanding of the role of quantity surveyors, commercial managers and cost consultants. The specific objectives are as follows:
  - Understand the project context and the implication of different procurement options, carbon emission, and sustainable development.
  - Forecast cost of construction projects at the pre-tender stage using traditional price books, BCIS and on-line information services for cost estimating/forecasting.
  - Understand how to determine costs based upon limited information, drawings and specifications and the need for subsequent adjustment as more information becomes available.
  - Appreciate how risk is evaluated and understanding the role of risks in cost calculations/contingencies and the influence of procurement options
  - Develop project programmes and preparing cash flow for cost control and monitoring.
  - Refine skills of measurement, documentation and estimating in the context of changing practice standards and methods.
  - Exercise judgment in the analysis of practical project based problems.

For those interested in construction and wanting a professional level job, quantity surveying could be ideal. Quantity surveyors have to make sure that projects meet legal and quality standards, as well as ensuring clients get good value for money. Understanding organisational structure and cost control aspects of construction projects are essential for quantity surveyors.

Take a look at some potential careers, including quantity surveyor, on Prospects.

Recent graduates have become quantity surveyors/estimators, site managers, construction project managers and commercial managers. And, of course you can choose to extend your qualifications by taking on further postgraduate study.

Employability Service

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:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• 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.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

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

Personal Tutoring

As a Built Environment and Architecture student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University.

Your tutor should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor at least once a year for approximately 30 minutes throughout your course.  You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or phone.

• A Level CCC or;
• BTEC National Diploma DMM or;
• Access to HE qualifications with 45 Merits or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 112 UCAS points
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).
• We welcome qualifications from around the world. English language qualifications for international students: IELTS score of 6.0 or Cambridge Proficiency or Advanced Grade C.

It may be possible to enter at an advanced level if a candidate has obtained an HNC in either construction or surveying.

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 reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 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.

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.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. 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 391 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.