Building Surveying

Building surveying is the professional discipline concerned with the condition, performance, and management of existing buildings and the legal and technical frameworks within which building work takes place. Unlike quantity surveying, which is primarily focused on the costs of construction, or architecture, which is concerned with the design of new buildings, building surveying concentrates on the built environment as it already exists: understanding how buildings deteriorate, diagnosing defects, advising on repair and maintenance, managing refurbishment projects, and navigating the legal and contractual issues that arise when buildings change hands, are extended, or are altered. It is a discipline with a strong practical and technical character that is directly applicable to the work of professional practice.

At the University of Reading you will study this three-year full-time programme, which includes a foundation year, a sandwich year, and a work placement. The foundation year provides additional preparation before the main degree, the sandwich year gives you extended professional experience in a surveying practice or construction organisation, and the placement adds further direct industry engagement. This multi-layered professional preparation is a significant advantage in a profession where employers consistently value demonstrated practical experience alongside academic qualification.

Across the full programme you will study building pathology and defect analysis, construction technology, property law, building regulations, party wall matters, professional practice, project management, and the management of refurbishment and maintenance programmes. The typical entry tariff is 120 points.

Building surveying graduates typically pursue careers in private surveying practices, local authorities, housing associations, property companies, and construction firms. Roles include building surveyor, project manager, contract administrator, and dilapidations specialist. The profession is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and many graduates complete the Assessment of Professional Competence to gain chartered status.

The sandwich year often leads directly to graduate employment with the host organisation.