Overview
Complete your degree, open new doors
Not everyone takes the same route into university, and that’s ok. Whether you’ve completed a HND and want to top-up to a full degree, or you’ve completed two years of Quantity Surveying elsewhere and are ready to finish your degree with us, then look no further. This course gives you the opportunity to complete your journey and achieve your goals.
In your top-up year, you’ll study third year modules from our Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons) degree, equipping you with the specialist knowledge and practical skills demanded in the quantity surveying field.
If you’re looking for a professional level job in the construction industry, quantity surveying – making sure projects meet legal and quality standards, and that clients get value for money – is ideal. There is currently a shortage of quantity surveyors, so you’ll always be in demand. You’ll study a strong core of technology, alongside contract administration and project management. We’ll make sure that you understand organisational structure and cost control too, as these are essential skills for quantity surveyors.
On the degree course you will have access to our top of the range facilities including the Building Information Modelling (BIM) Centre. The centre acts as a hub for innovation, networking among practice experts and the general promotion of adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) principals and its integrated software's for example, students on this course will learn estimating software's like Cost-X and Cato. CostX is essentially an all-in-one streamlined state-of-the-art software for Quantity Surveyors.
The teaching staff are leading practitioners in their fields (both in academia and industry), so everything we do is industry relevant. Inspiring guest speakers from renowned construction organisation and consultancy companies will give you further industry insight and build your professional connections.
Why study at Quantity Surveying at LSBU?
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- Earning potential: our Architecture, Building and Planning graduates have a median graduate salary of £37,200 - the second highest graduate salary for this subject area in the UK (2023 LEO Data).
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- Career progression: This course will prepare you for a career in building surveying, allowing you to enter the profession at graduate surveyor level, where you can progress to chartered status through RICS-approved APC training.
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- Apprenticeships: This course is available as part of an apprenticeship programme. Find out more about apprenticeships.
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- Work experience: You'll have the option to undertake a work placement in your third year.
| ModeFull-time | Duration1 year | Start dateSeptember | Application codeK242 | Application method UCAS |
Watch our video to see how you can make yourself at home studying at LSBU.
Location
London South Bank University student union is located at 103 Borough Rd, London SE1 0AA.
If you are visiting our Southwark Campus, you may wish to use our downloadable campus map (PNG File 466 KB). For information on accessibility, see our DisabledGo access guides. See our location page for more details.
Entry Level Requirements
Need further information? Call us on 0800 923 8888 to discuss entry requirements.
- Higher National Diploma – all merits assessed at H2 level, or
- Other equivalent Higher Education qualification.
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
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Missing English and Maths qualifications?
If you do not have the required English and Maths qualifications needed to satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, we have courses available at our partner College that you can take to upskill in these areas. Find out more at South Bank College.
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.
The individual Tuition Fee for this course is shown below. For full details, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.
Scholarships
We offer students considerable financial help through scholarships, bursaries, charitable funds, loans and other financial support. The majority of our scholarships are given as direct Tuition Fee discounts and we encourage all eligible students to apply for our National Scholarship Programme (NSP). The NSP features 100 full scholarships that exempt students from all Tuition Fees, and there are many more partial scholarships. Find out more about scholarships and fee discounts for undergraduate students.
International students
The course is not currently open to 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.
Course delivery modes and application methods
| Mode Full-time | Duration 1 year | Start date September | Application code K242 | Application method UCAS |
Accommodation
Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.
Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.
Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.
Finance
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 an undergraduate student.
Applicants for this course may also be eligible for the Chancerygate Foundation Bursary. Find out more here.
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.
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.
Preparatory Reading List
- Temple, M.(2004) Studying the built environment. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Parker, D. (1994) Tackling coursework: assignments, projects, reports and presentations. London: Letts Educational
- Domone, P. & Illston, J., 2010: Construction Materials. Their Nature and Behaviour
- Using Light Steel Framing: Design of Residential Buildings
- Seward, D., 2009: Understanding Structures (4th Ed), Palgrave Macmillan
- Taylor, G.D., 2000: Materials of Construction (3rd Ed), Longman
- Bradney, A., Cownie F., Masson J., Neal A.C., Newell D., (2010) How to Study Law (6th edn.) Thompson, Sweet & Maxwell, London.
- Coyle, D., (2004) Sex, Drugs and Economics, an Unconventional
- Introduction to Economics, Thomson, Australia, New York.
- Mankiw, N.G., and Taylor, M. P., (2010), Economics, Thomson, London.
- Turner C., and Hodge S., (2010) Unlocking Torts (2nd edn.) Hodder, Turner, London.
- Turner C., (2010) Unlocking Contract Law (3rd edn.) Hodder, Turner, London.
- McMullan R, Environmental Science in Building, Macmillan, 6th Edn, 2007
- Hall F and Greeno R, Building Services Handbook, Butterworth Heinemann, 5th Edition, 2009
- Irvine, W, Surveying For Construction 8th Edition McGraw Hill, 2008
- Uren and Price, Surveying For Engineers (5th Ed), Palgrave Macmillan
- Brookes, A.J. & Meijs, M., Cladding of Buildings, 2007
- Eisele, J. & Klaft, E. (Eds.), High Rise Manual: Typology and Design, Construction and Technology, 2003
- Reichel, A., Ackermann, P., Hentschel, A. & Hachberg, A., Building with Steel: Details, Principles, Examples, 2007
- Management of the firm
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. - 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: 100% coursework. - 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. - European Construction and Property
Module information isn't available - Quantity surveying project
This module holistically integrates learning from all Level 4 and 5 modules on the BSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying courses. It sets learning in a realistic project environment and simulates practice problem solving and task management. Assessment method: 100% coursework. - Research paper
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.
Careers
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:
- 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.
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, in our Prospects section.
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.
Teaching and Assessment
Your Lecturers are leading practitioners in their fields, so everything we do is industry relevant. Inspiring guest speakers from renowned arts organisations and theatre companies will give you further industry insight and build your professional connections.
| Lectures, seminars and workshops | Self-directed study | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 34% | 66% |
| Year 2 | 23% | 77% |
| Year 3 | 18% | 82% |
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.
Register your interest
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