Quantity Surveying
Quantity surveying is the profession responsible for managing the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects, from initial feasibility and cost planning through procurement, contract administration, and final account settlement. Quantity surveyors ensure that projects are delivered within budget and in accordance with contracts, and they advise clients, contractors, and other stakeholders on the commercial and legal dimensions of construction at every stage. The profession is central to the construction industry and to the built environment more broadly, applying technical knowledge of costs, contracts, and construction methods to real projects in a commercially demanding environment.
At Birmingham City University, this part-time programme is approved by RICS, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, which is the professional body that accredits quantity surveying education and awards chartered status. RICS accreditation signals that the programme meets the standards required for professional practice, and it provides a clear pathway towards chartered surveyor status for graduates who complete the required period of professional experience. A sandwich placement and work placements are integrated into the programme, giving you structured professional experience alongside your academic studies, which is particularly appropriate in a profession where practical judgment develops through exposure to real projects.
You will study cost management, contract law, procurement, measurement, project management, and professional ethics, developing the technical and commercial skills that quantity surveying practice demands.
Graduates go on to careers in construction companies, professional consultancies, developers, government bodies, and infrastructure organisations, working across residential, commercial, and civil engineering projects. The profession offers strong employment prospects and clear progression towards chartered status and senior professional roles. Many graduates pursue RICS membership following graduation, and postgraduate study in quantity surveying or construction management is a route for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.