Building Surveying

Building surveying is a profession defined by its concern for the condition, performance, and management of existing buildings. Surveyors assess structural defects, advise on maintenance and repair, manage construction contracts, and guide clients through the complex process of adapting and improving the built environment. The work requires a combination of technical knowledge about how buildings behave over time and the professional skills to manage risk, communicate clearly, and navigate legal and contractual frameworks.

Edinburgh Napier University offers this programme on a part-time basis, making it accessible to those who are already working in the construction or property sector and wish to formalise or advance their knowledge alongside employment. The programme includes a sandwich placement and a year abroad, providing structured professional experience in industry as well as the opportunity to study or work in an international context, which broadens perspective in a profession that increasingly operates across borders. You will study building pathology, construction technology, contract law, project management, property law, professional practice, and the principles of sustainable construction.

The programme develops your ability to inspect and report on buildings, manage projects, advise clients, and practise to the ethical standards expected of a professional surveyor.

Graduates from building surveying programmes are well placed to work across the residential, commercial, and public sector property markets, in construction consultancies, local authorities, housing associations, and private practices. The degree provides a pathway towards professional chartered status, which is widely recognised across the UK and internationally. Career opportunities span survey practice, project management, asset management, conservation, and development consultancy, with strong demand across Scotland and the wider UK.