2024/25 entry
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
Why study Quantity Surveying at Liverpool John Moores University?
- Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
- Opportunity to undertake a year's industrial placement or study abroad
- Opportunity to participate in an exciting international experience abroad
- £6 million investment in developing state-of-the-art teaching facilities
- Stepping stone to a varied career with UK and overseas employment opportunities
About your course
The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at Liverpool John Moores University is tailored to meet the needs of employers and offers exciting paid placement opportunities where you can gain invaluable hands-on experience.
This BSc Quantity Surveying course focuses on the factors that affect the procurement and construction of a building or structure over its complete life cycle, with particular emphasis on the economic, legal, financial and managerial considerations of the construction process.
Once you have developed the technical skills required of a quantity surveyor, you will apply them to projects that are based on 'real' construction scenarios. This way of working not only gives you invaluable hands-on practice, it also allows you to develop a variety of transferable skills that will give you a professional edge when you eventually start applying for your first quantity surveying job.
Strong links with industry mean that you will have opportunities to meet quantity surveyors and other professionals working in the construction industry through guest lectures and site visits.
The course also offers a sandwich route which involves a paid placement where you can apply what you have learnt at LJMU out in the workplace. Such experience will enhance both your professional skills development and your CV, boosting your employment prospects after graduation.
Students not undertaking a placement year are registered on the non-Sandwich version of the programme and will have the opportunity of an additional study year abroad following Level 5, providing students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU.
Additional course costs
The purchase of site safety boots will be required. Optional study trips will have costs involved.
"The course is both challenging and satisfying. If you put the effort in then the rewards are definitely there for the taking. At LJMU the resources at your disposal are fantastic. You just need to make use of them."
Professional accreditation/links
- Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications have full academic exemption and may enter CIOB membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.
- Accredited by the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) for the purpose of eligibility for registration with that body.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
Employability
You will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas.
Career prospects for quantity surveying graduates are excellent, with many students securing their first professional position working for clients, contractors or professional practices either before or after graduation. You can work in the Public or the Private sector and will be equipped with skills to work in the building or civil engineering field.
You can also enjoy varied career opportunities overseas in addition to the UK.
If you decide not to go into the profession, however, you can still take advantage of your transferable skills and work experience to enter other careers.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
A life-changing experience
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Quantity Surveyor in a Project Environment
20 credits
This module aims to develop your holistic understanding of a modern quantity surveyor's roles, interactions, collaborations, and value propositions throughout construction project lifecycle.
Principles of Economics and Management
20 credits
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to economic and management theories and principles with reference to the built environment, property, and society in general.
Digital Built Environment
20 credits
This module aims to review state of the art developments in information technology (IT) for architecture, engineering, construction industry (AEC); and to discuss how these technologies may shape the current and future of quantity surveying practice.
Measurement I
20 credits
This module establishes the principles and conventions for the quantification and costing of building works and considers their application by the Quantity Surveyor and the Estimator, as part of their key role in the economic and financial management of the construction process.
Introduction to Law
20 credits
This module will provide the students with a working knowledge of the English legal system and an introduction to the principles of the law including contract, tort and property law.
Construction Technology 1
20 credits
This module aims to introduce construction techniques associated with domestic dwellings including building regulations and building services considering sustainable development goals. Students will develop an understanding of the performance of buildings and the influence of materials and workmanship specification on the building performance.
Level 5
Core modules
Construction Contract Practice
20 credits
This module provides you with a detailed understanding of construction contract law as part of your role as a quantity surveyor.
Construction Procurement
20 credits
This module aims to establish an awareness of the project stakeholders, the various procurement options and their associated contracts. You will develop the ability to interpret the particular needs of different client groups to develop relevant procurement strategies and to apply techniques to support the implementation of those strategies ensuring that the project criteria are satisfactorily achieved.
Measurement II
20 credits
This module enables you to refine and extend your abilities in the measurement and quantification of complex buildings. You will also demonstrate knowledge and understanding of implementing construction contract administrative procedures.
Project Planning and Control
20 credits
This module introduces you to concepts, procedures and techniques used in the planning and control of construction projects. You will learn to apply the principles of site planning to a construction project and use appropriate construction project management relevant software.
Design Economics and Project Lifecycle Value
20 credits
In this module you will analyse, and evaluate the influence of changes in design parameters on the life cycle value of a project considering multiple performance metrics and commercial targets.
Construction Technology 2
20 credits
This module aims to introduce construction technology for industrial and commercial buildings including building service installations and within the framework of an inclusive environment. It will enable students to evaluate the relative merits of the various construction forms in any given situation
Optional Modules
Study Year Abroad - Quantity Surveying
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Sandwich Year - Quantity Surveying
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.
Study Semester Abroad - Quantity Surveying
60 credits
The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.
Level 6
Core modules
Construction Research Project
40 credits
This module aims to increase skills in research, time management, presentation, written communication by completing a substantial individual piece of work; and to facilitate the opportunity to carry out independent research on a selected subject.
Risk Management
20 credits
In this module you will learn to perform a risk assessment with a specific focus of commercial aspects for a given construction project; and to advise project participants to mitigate identified risks.
Business Management and Entrepreneurship
20 credits
In this module you will learn to develop an advanced, factual, and conceptual knowledge base in contemporary Business Management and Entrepreneurship theory.
Project Finance
20 credits
This module introduces you to project economics and management techniques used in client based pre-contract design management systems and contractor based post contract cost management systems in construction.
Measurement III
20 credits
This module consolidates and builds upon your learning to date in the fields of measurement and BIM technologies and processes. You will examine the most effective quantification techniques for complex construction and engineering projects through analysis of and comparison between available measurement protocols.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
You can expect to spend on average 14-16 hours in the classroom which may be in the form of lectures, tutorials, online activities and workshops, combined with your own research using our library and the web. You should spend around 35 hours per week in private study.
Work-related Learning
The best way to experience working in the quantity surveying industry is to undertake a year's professional work placement, either in the UK or overseas, so you can put into practice what you have learnt in your first two years at LJMU. Taking the sandwich option will greatly improve your career prospects and could even lead to a permanent position with your placement employer.
The placement is fully paid and is an invaluable opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience that will add real value to your CV and impress future employers. The direct work experience could also count towards a professional qualification. It can even count towards the professional MRICS qualification.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Throughout the course you will have the support of a personal tutor who can provide one-to-one guidance and advice on course-related issues.
If you decide to take up a third year work placement, there is plenty of support available from the Faculty placement team, both in finding and securing the placement. During the placement year one of your tutors will visit you in your workplace to check on your progress.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
All students perform differently depending on the type of assessment they are asked to do, and so a variety of assessment methods are used. These include exams (open and closed book), coursework (projects, technical reports, reviews, etc), and presentations (individual and group).
Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
This programme is delivered in the Byrom Street complex of LJMUs City Campus. Here you'll find high quality lecture theatres, meeting and seminar rooms plus social spaces and a large café. The Avril Robarts Library is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC-ABB (112-128)
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
BBC-ABB Minimum Number of A Levels: 2
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
BTECs
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Access awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 points
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Irish awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
T levels
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We are looking for students who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess. We want students with the ability to: be creative with ideas and concepts, moderate their creativity with logic, be enthusiastic and thirsty for knowledge, communicate effectively and confidently and understand and adapt to a wide range of issues connected with the subject.
It is also important that students are able to manage time and tasks effectively as an individual and as part of a team, use appropriate sources to find and organise information and select and critically evaluate information in order to analyse problems.If you would like to develop these skills further, have a strong interest in this subject area and want to work effectively within it, then this is the course for you.
International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.