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Students working on muddy building site

Building Surveying BSc(Hons)

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Intro

As a building surveyor you will be involved in the development, management, conservation, refurbishment and maintenance of all types of real estate.

Developed in consultation with industry our accredited course builds your knowledge across the range of elements involved in building surveying, including construction technology, building pathology, project management, property management and property law. 

You put theory into practice on site visits, field trips, in the lab and using specialist facilities and technology such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) all of which help bring learning to life.

Our focus on interdisciplinary learning means you will study and work alongside students from related courses on projects that reflect the professional working environment. Visiting lecturers also share their expertise with you, all of which give you a flavour of what it is like to work in industry.

The option of a salaried placement year gives you the opportunity to gain vital work experience, enhance your CV and make valuable industry contacts.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code K230

Full-time 3 years
With placement year 4 years
Part-time 4–6 years

Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Join an online event

Apply now with UCAS

Course content

How this course is delivered

We've made some changes to the way our courses are taught to keep everyone safe, connected and involved in university life.

At the moment, students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that provides lots of opportunities to interact and engage with lecturers and other students.

Find out what these changes mean for this course

Course structure

Through a shared first year across our construction and building courses, you will gain a thorough introduction covering key aspects of the industry.

Core modules become more tailored to building surveying from your second year. In your final year you apply what you have learned to more complex projects and have the freedom to choose option modules in areas that interest you most.

You will learn through lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory practicals and coursework. You will also take part in fieldwork, site visits, surveys and workshops, both individually and in groups, often with peers from related courses.

You also have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

Building surveying students measuring property

Year 1

In your first year you will explore fundamental elements relating to the industry.

Modules

  • Introduction to the Built Environment

    This module will introduce you to the roles of construction professionals throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. You will research the design, construction and operation of buildings with a particular focus on your chosen discipline, widening your perspective of the processes involved at each stage and the statutory regulations that must be complied with. You will also take part in a residential field course, where you'll work in teams to gain an appreciation of the construction process and the different roles within this.

  • Building Technology and Design

    This module will introduce you to the fundamental principles and techniques of architectural drawing and design, building technology and construction. This module is formed of practical guided workshops where you will be introduced to an industry standard CADD drawing package and learn how to use it to best deliver a set of skills which are essential in professional practice.

  • Indoor Environment and Building Services 1

    This module will introduce you to environmental science of heat, light and sound in the context of domestic buildings and to building services. You'll develop an appreciation of services provision to meet the comfort criteria of domestic buildings and an awareness of smart control and sustainable services design.

  • Land and Construction Surveying

    This module will introduce you to the equipment and methods used in both land and construction engineering surveying. The module will provide you with a thorough grounding in both the theoretical and practical aspects of surveying and covers a range of surveying topics from basic measurement of heights, distances and angles, to setting out coordinate positions on site. As a result of the nature of the content, there is a focus on practical skills with much of the delivery taking place in a practical setting.

  • Construction Materials

    This module covers basic material science relating to construction materials such as timber, steel, concrete, masonry, polymers, bituminous materials, etc. You will develop an understanding of commonly used construction materials and evaluate the performance of different materials and to identify a variety of failure types. You will have the opportunity to test some of the main properties of basic construction materials, through laboratory sessions.

Civil Engineering students taking surveying measurements

Year 2

In your second year, you will build on the knowledge and skills you have gained in your first year and begin to explore aspects of building surveying in more depth.

Modules

  • Building Surveying Professional Practice
  • Cost and Contract Administration
  • Construction Methods and Technology
  • Indoor Environments and Building Services 2
  • Building Surveying
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM) 
Students working on construction site

Placement year

A placement year offers an excellent opportunity to gain work experience, build a professional network, increase your confidence, develop existing skills and discover new ones. The experience also significantly enhances your CV.

Students have been on placement in organisations including Johnson Gillies Chartered Building Surveyors and Building Consultants, Baily Garner LLP and Portsmouth City Council. 

Students working inside foundations of building

Final year 

In your final year you will develop and complete your individual research project. You will also choose from option modules, giving you flexibility to specialise in areas that interest you most.

Modules

  • Advanced Building Surveying
  • Honours project
  • Building Pathology and Life Care

Option modules*

  • Construction Risk and Financial Analysis
  • Project Planning and Analysis
  • Principles of Sustainable Construction
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Waste Management and the Circular Economy

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Students in field trip to farmhouse

Building Information Modelling (BIM) 

At Brighton, you will have the opportunity to learn Building Information Modelling (BIM). The industry standard BIM application is widely used in the UK construction industry to manage and deliver building construction projects from concept to completion. Gaining skills and experience in BIM, as part of your studies, can help to give you a professional advantage when you graduate.

You will begin to develop your knowledge and skills in BIM by gaining a comprehensive understanding of modelling a building in a 3D environment, applying contractual requirements and learning about the building lifecycle. 

You will then have the opportunity to further investigate BIM's capabilities. The UK government currently states that all publicly-funded projects must now meet the BIM protocol, which has resulted in a push for a fast adoption of BIM in the industry, meaning there will be a growing demand for professionals who have BIM experience.

Students working in study room

Meet the team

Dr Hannah Wood, course leader

My teaching encompasses a range of subjects across the built environment and civil engineering disciplines, including Introduction to the Built Environment (focusing on regulations and legislation within the construction industry and practical construction skills), Surveying Practice, Construction Surveying, Construction Management and Project Management for Construction.

My teaching is underpinned by real-life projects and examples, incorporating site visits, field courses and practical workshops where possible. I use engaging and interactive teaching methods and blended learning to appeal to a wide range of learning styles. In one of my modules in particular I use flipped teaching – lectures are pre-recorded and watched by the students at their own pace before attending a tutorial-based face-to-face session – this has proved very effective, appealing to students with a wide range of abilities and interests.

Hannah Wood

Dr Hannah Wood

Our latest news

Career focused studies

Career focused studies

Harry Richards graduated with a first-class honours in Building Surveying in our class of 2020.

Loving life in Brighton

Loving life in Brighton

Alexandra Duffy graduated from our Building Surveying BSc(Hons) in 2018 with first class honours.

Starting your course in 2020?

Starting your course in 2020?

You’re going to have a brilliant time here and we can’t wait to meet you!

Placement with Bouygues working on Big Build project

Placement with Bouygues working on Big Build project

Stephanie chats to George Halliwell who is on placement with Bouygues, working on the university’s Big Build project and studying Project Management Construction BSc(Hons).

Read more from our blog

Careers

Professional accreditation  

Our Building Surveying BSc(Hons) accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

Accreditation from RICS shows that our course meets a globally-recognised standard of surveying education, is relevant to industry and is recognised by employers as the benchmark of quality.

This is the first step to becoming a chartered surveyor. You will be required to complete relevant work experience and professional assessment after graduation to achieve chartered status.

CABE accreditation gives you access to free student membership and the benefits associated with being a member of the professional body.

RICS logo

Prepare for your career

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, skills, personal qualities and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree.

  • Work on interdisciplinary projects with students from related courses that reflect the professional working environment
  • Gain insight into professional practice and see live projects up-close on site visits
  • Connect with our professional networks, from visiting lecturers who share their knowledge with you to placement opportunities in Brighton and beyond
  • Develop technical skills and experience managing and delivering construction projects outside the classroom during activity weeks
  • Gain a competitive advantage when you graduate by learning Building Information Modelling which is widely used in industry
Mariyana Stoyanova working on site with hard hat

Placement 

There are lots of advantages of taking a placement year. You get to:

  • apply your learning to real-life situations and challenges
  • gain new skills which can help in your career
  • explore career options, helping you think about what you don’t want to do as well as what you do
  • boost your confidence and organisational skills
  • build your network of professional contacts 
  • come back for your final year more focused, more organised and more confident

And it can count towards your professional experience to become chartered after you graduate.

Facilities 

You’ll have access to our specialist labs and facilities supported by our skilled and knowledgeable technicians. This includes:

  • Hydraulics lab
  • Modelling studio
  • Dynamics lab
  • Heavy structures lab

Take a 360 tour to find out more.

Civil engineering laboratory 360 tour

Industry links 

Senior representatives of construction companies, architects and surveyors from around the region meet regularly at our industry advisory board to review our courses, ensuring they remain up-to-date and relevant to industry.

Guest lecturers from industry share their insight and knowledge with you giving you the opportunity to network

Our links with local and national industry provide site visit and placement opportunities and can help with employment after graduation.

Graduate destinations 

Graduates are working for companies such as Malcolm Hollis, CBRE, Mace, Portsmouth City Council, Stile Harold Williams, Clifford Dann and Coppard Giles. 

Further study 

At Brighton opportunities for further study at postgraduate level in construction include:

  • Construction Management MSc
  • Project Management for Construction MSc

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

You also have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

Coloured background with the words Be More, Connected, Skilled, Emlployable

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBC–CCC (112–96 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

International Baccalaureate
26 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4) 
At least English language, maths and a science.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton, and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Foundation degree/HND
International foundation may be considered. Applicants with an HND or foundation Degree may be considered for year 2 entry.

Mature students
Applications from mature candidates with built environment experience are welcome but are subject to RICS requirements. Contact us for details.

Studying part-time
Part-time students should apply direct to the university.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,748 GBP

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,330 for UK students and £2,100 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Environment and Technology are listed here.

  • Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
  • Where taught residential field trips are optional, a contribution will be required towards travel and accommodation. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
  • The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
  • Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
  • If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available. from the University of Brighton
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By the time the Big Build is complete, there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits. Find out more...

The Big Build

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls. All halls are self catered, but if you prefer you can add in a food and drink plan.
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently or in a university-managed house? We can help – find out more about unihomes and unilets or private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Students eating at the Hub

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

Stay in touch

Join an online event

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

You may also be interested in our construction and civil engineering blog.

Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Discover Uni

Discover Uni enables you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Discover Uni data on their website. Discover Uni will be launching a widget this month that will show top line stats for this course. Once live, the widget will appear below. 

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

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‹ ›

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