Building Surveying

Building surveying is one of the most varied and intellectually demanding professional roles in the built environment. Building surveyors advise on the design, construction, maintenance, refurbishment and sustainability of buildings across their full lifecycle, from pre-purchase surveys and planning permissions through to major refurbishment projects and long-term maintenance strategies. They work at the intersection of technical knowledge and professional judgement, often managing complex projects and advising clients on decisions with significant financial and practical consequences.

This part-time distance learning programme at the University College of Estate Management is designed to allow you to study for a professional qualification while working, making it well suited to those already in or entering the construction and property sector. You will study the full range of building surveying competencies, including construction technology, building pathology, contract administration, project management, sustainability and the legal frameworks that govern building work. The distance learning format gives you flexibility, while the curriculum is designed to equip you with the knowledge and professional skills that employers and clients expect from a qualified surveyor.

Building surveying graduates work in a genuinely diverse range of roles and settings, from residential surveying and commercial property management to heritage conservation, sustainable retrofitting and major infrastructure projects. Many pursue membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which is the primary professional body for the built environment in the UK and internationally. Roles include project manager, contract administrator, building pathologist, heritage consultant and sustainability adviser.

The building surveyor is often described as one of the most versatile professionals in the built environment, and the range of project types and client relationships the role involves means that no two careers, or indeed two days, look the same.