Masters Degrees (Quantity Surveyor)

IN BRIEF:

• The full masters degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Excellent employment opportunities
• Flexible intakes give students the opportunity to work and study at the same time
• International students can apply

COURSE SUMMARY

There is currently a severe skills shortage in the UK for quantity surveyors with expertise in mechanical and electrical installations - consequently, this course has an exceptionally high graduate employment record. Qualified mechanical and electrical quantity surveyors find employment in the building  sector  or in specialist fields including nuclear power.

Studying this course will provide you with the skills demanded by clients who rely on a quantity surveyor’s specialist mechanical and electrical knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly. This programme will equip you with a professional understanding of procurement, financial  and  risk management and lifecycle cost management, as they apply to the construction industry. In addition to formalising your knowledge of traditional quantity surveying, you’ll receive a solid grounding in cutting-edge developments applying to mechanical and electrical works.

As this full masters degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will be educated to the highest industry standards and are granted exemption from RICS academic entry requirements.

COURSE DETAILS

This course aims to create reflective practitioners in quantity surveying who have a knowledge and understanding of procurement and financial management and recognise the significance of process, technology and people to the success of mechanical and electrical projects. Throughout the course you will critically examine existing practice through implementing process measurement and will evaluate alternative strategies for process improvement.

You will learn how to:

• Organise and plan the procurement and financial management of construction projects
• Very effectively manage and administer construction contracts
• Lead and work effectively with project teams and communicate effectively in a variety of forms.

COURSE STRUCTURE

This course can be studied part-time by distance learning. Admission onto the course is in September or January.

The MSc award consists of four taught modules followed by a dissertation. The PgDip requires the completion of the four taught modules. All modules are delivered over a 15 week period and are mostly assessed through coursework, there are no exams. A 30 credit taught module is studied per semester. Assessment of these modules is driven by real-world problems aligned to your workplace and job role. Teaching is based around a virtual learning environment supported by interactive online sessions. In the final two semesters you will undertake a dissertation which is also delivered online and incorporates extensive tutor engagement and support.

TEACHING

Studying via distance learning, you’ll enjoy access to an online learning environment supported by intensive tutor support. Weekly online tutorials are led by tutors with student interaction. Our online repository of learning material enables you to undertake self-directed study at your own convenience. Learning is driven by real-world problems with application to your workplace and job role.

ASSESSMENT

You will be assessed through:

• Written coursework (100%)
• Continuous informal assessment by your tutors

CAREER PROSPECTS

As a qualified mechanical and electrical quantity surveyor, you could find employment in the building sector or in specialist fields such as the nuclear industry. There is currently a severe skills shortage in the UK for quantity surveyors with expertise in mechanics and electrics, consequently, graduate employability statistics for this course are high. Due to the increased importance of sustainability in the modern built environment, new roles are emerging for the mechanical and electrical quantity surveyors quantity surveyor in the areas of renewable energy, sustainability, low carbon technologies and energy management. With buildings accounting for around 50% of all carbon emissions, the surveyor plays a significant role in combating climate change.

This course has been designed to help you plan and organise the procurement and financial management of mechanical and electrical projects. Our course will equip you with the skills required to critically examine existing construction practices while evaluating alternative strategies to set in motion a process for improvement in construction. You will graduate with the skills and knowledge demanded by clients who rely on a quantity surveyor's knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly.

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY

This course was developed at the request of industry to meet the training needs of aspiring mechanical and electrical specialists, and to help plug the skills gap which currently exists in the UK. Guest lecturers from industry with expertise in relevant areas regularly give lectures throughout the duration of the course.

The full masters award is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allowing exemption from their academic entry requirements.

FURTHER STUDY

The School of the Built Environment has an exciting and vibrant research community engaged in advanced research in the built environment, please see www.salford.ac.uk/research/best and http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/uprise for more information.

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IN BRIEF:

• The full masters degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• Excellent career opportunities
• Flexible study options and intakes give students the opportunity to work and study at the same time
• Part-time study option
• International students can apply

COURSE SUMMARY

A career in quantity surveying is diverse and exciting, with opportunities to travel and shape the world that we live in. With the increased focus on the environment and sustainability in the planning of construction projects, there is high demand for, and short supply of, quantity surveyors to provide  a  cost management service, both financially and environmentally to the construction industry.

Quantity surveyors must be able to organise and plan the procurement and financial management of construction projects, as well as effectively manage and administer construction contracts. They must lead and work successfully with project teams, taking measures to improve teamwork.

This course will provide you with the skills demanded by clients who rely on a quantity surveyor’s knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly. You will develop a sound understanding of procurement and financial management, as well as learning to appreciate the significance of process,  technology  and people to the success of projects.

As this full masters degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will be educated to the highest industry standards and are granted exemption from RICS academic entry requirements.

COURSE STRUCTURE

This course can be studied full-time on campus or part-time via distance learning. Admission onto the course is in September or January.

The Masters award consists of four taught modules followed by a Dissertation. The PgDip requires the completion of the four taught modules. All modules are delivered over a 15 week period and are mostly assessed through coursework, there are no exams.

FOR THE FULL-TIME STUDY OPTION:

You will study two 30 credit taught modules in each of your first two semesters on campus, these are designed to give you the core knowledge required for quantity surveying in construction. In the final semester you will undertake a dissertation worth 60 credits.

FOR THE DISTANCE LEARNING STUDY OPTION:

A 30 credit taught module is studied per semester. Assessment of these modules is driven by real-world problems aligned to your workplace and job role. Teaching is based around a virtual learning environment supported by interactive online sessions. In the final two semesters you undertake a dissertation which is also delivered online and incorporates extensive tutor engagement and support.

TEACHING

On-campus study is comprised of lectures, tutorials and project work.

Lectures introduce the core knowledge for each module and include guest lectures from experts in the field. Tutorials provide a forum for discussion and debate with personalised instruction from tutors, and project work is your chance to use research and other techniques to develop solutions to prescribed tasks.

If you’re studying via distance learning, you’ll enjoy access to an online learning environment backed up by intensive tutor support. Weekly online tutorials are led by tutors with student interaction. Our online repository of learning material enables you to undertake self-directed study at your own convenience. Learning is driven by real-world problems with application to your workplace and job role.

ASSESSMENT

You will be assessed through:

• Written coursework (100%)
• Continuous informal assessment by your tutors

*Certain modules for full-time students have a small amount of assessment through presentations

CAREER PROSPECTS

This course will equip you for a rewarding career as a quantity surveyor in the construction industry. The life of a quantity surveyor is varied and challenging and it is highly likely that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to travel, and that you’ll play a key role in shaping the built environment.

With the increased focus on the environment and sustainability in the planning of construction projects, there is high demand for, and short supply of, quantity surveyors to provide a cost management service, both financially and environmentally to the construction industry.

This course has been designed to help you plan and organise the procurement and financial management of projects, developing your ability to administer and manage construction contracts. Our course will equip you with the skills required to critically examine existing construction practices while evaluating alternative strategies to set in motion a process for improvement in construction. You will graduate with the skills and knowledge demanded by clients who rely on a quantity surveyor's knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly.

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY

The full masters award is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allowing exemption from their academic entry requirements.

Guest lecturers from industry with expertise in relevant areas are invited to give lectures throughout the duration of the course. Site visits are organised each year in co-operation with local construction companies, these give full-time students the opportunity to visualise what is taught and apply learning to a real-world context.

FURTHER STUDY

The School of the Built Environment has an exciting and vibrant research community engaged in advanced research in the built environment, please see www.salford.ac.uk/research/best and http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/uprise for more information.

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Why take this course?

We have been delivering property courses for over 35 years and are one of the longest established Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)-accredited centres.

This course specifically aims to develop your practical skills for the efficient construction, law and financial management of the built environment. Overall, it provides sound preparation to become a professional in the construction business.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Visit sites and study locally based case studies that will introduce you to the professional markets and environments
Attend and contribute to current debates by visiting guest speakers
Gain a solid understanding of contemporary issues in the construction sector

What opportunities might it lead to?

Quantity surveying is an important, high-value business asset and sound professional advice on it is increasingly sought after. This degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Once you complete your studies and have found your first job, you can begin training to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Many of our graduates now hold senior positions in industry and the quality of the course has been recognised by both the construction profession and the national press.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Quantity surveying
Property development
Project management
Consultancy

Module Details

You will be taught by staff from a wide range of commercial, construction and quantity surveying practice, including quantity surveyors, architects, project managers, construction lawyers and structural engineers. Their hands-on experience is reflected in the modern and diverse nature of this course, which provides you with a flexible degree programme that allows you to tailor the course to your own interests, whilst acquiring a range of skills and experiences that will be of direct benefit in the workplace.

Here are the units you will study:

Construction Law, Contracts and Dispute Resolution: This unit provides a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the background to and working of the legal system in England and Wales relevant to the practice of a quantity surveyor.

Construction Management and Safety: This unit will prepare the student for the commercial environment of construction and will develop a critical awareness of the commercial and environmental context within which the Project Manager operates.

Construction Technology, Measurement and Tendering: This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of how buildings and their services are designed and specified in order to formulate an Architect's or Structural Engineer's intentions.

Pre-Contract and Post-Contract Quantity Surveying Practice: This unit will provide a systematic understanding of the pre-contract and post-contract roles of the Quantity Surveyor.

Dissertation: There gives you the chance to carry out and complete an independent dissertation project during the final stage of the course. You will be able to choose a subject area of particular personal interest, within the broad scope of the built environment.

Programme Assessment

The classroom element of teaching will be via lectures, seminars and tutorials. However, the very nature this course requires a proactive and hands-on approach to learning that also incorporates site visits and field work.

Alongside the more traditional forms of assessment, this course is assessed in a variety of different ways that will provide you with valuable skills and experience in activities such as teamwork, report production, making presentations and web authoring. You will also be expected to complete a dissertation project, in a subject of your own choice, which will be developed and conducted with the advice and guidance of a personal tutor.

Student Destinations

Once you have completed this course and obtained your first job, you can begin training to become a Chartered Surveyor with a professional qualification. This is known as the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and is a structured on-the-job training scheme ending with an assessment interview. Once you have satisfactorily completed this, you can apply to become a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This enables you to use the designated status Chartered Surveyor and the letters MRICS after your name.

You will benefit from our strong links with both industry and the surveying profession. Graduates from this course are highly regarded and sought after in quantity surveying roles. This course also provides you with the skills and knowledge to support employability in a range of professional roles in the built environment, both in the UK and internationally.

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The MSc Quantity Surveying course is for graduates with a minimum of three years' professional experience or a qualification in a closely related discipline.

The Graduate Diploma Quantity Surveying course is for students with a first degree in an unrelated subject seeking to convert to a career as a Quantity Surveyor. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma allows advanced entry onto the Masters course requiring only submission of the dissertation to complete your studies.

Key benefits

The Graduate Diploma and the MSc in Quantity Surveying are fully accredited with the RICS to provide acceptance on the Assessment of Professional Practice, and qualification as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor.

Course detail

Both courses are for those who aspire to become Chartered members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The courses are designed to offer varied and flexible patterns of study, so you can fit studies and experience around your personal and professional commitments. They reflect and address the needs of professional practice and help you develop the skills and knowledge to become an effective professional surveyor in the construction industry. You'll cover construction technology, measurement, law, economics, procurement and contract management.

You can follow the RICS accredited route as a Quantity Surveyor or the Graduate Diploma route. The courses are academically challenging, and encourage independent, analytical and reflective thought and judgement that applies equally to the workplace and professional ethics.

You'll also develop a range of transferable skills, such as investigation, problem-solving, logical and systematic data analysis, information management, sustainable decision-making and effective communication.

Structure

We introduce you to skills and knowledge in construction technology, measurement, law, economics, procurement and contract management, in the Pre-Enrolment Reading at Level 1.

You then develop your core skills at Levels 2 and 3 and procurement, contractual, project management skills and Building Information Modelling in the M-Level modules.

Grad Dip students take the Level 2, 3 and M modules except the dissertation.

MSc students take the Level 3 and Level M modules.

Modules

Level 2:
• Construction Technology and Building Services (Graduate Diploma Only) (30 credits)
• QS Project (Graduate Diploma Only) (30 credits)

Level 3:
• Strategic Cost Planning (30 credits)
• Commercial Management (30 credits)

Level M:
• Construction Contract Law (15 credits)
• Construction Procurement (15 credits)
• Construction Project Management Practice (15 credits)
• Building Information Modelling in Design Co-ordination (15 credits)
• Dissertation (MSc students only) (60 credits)

Format

Teaching methods vary depending on the module, but typically include lectures, project work and tutorials. We encourage 'formative work' to prepare for assessments this is not credited, but gives you valuable feedback to help improve your performance.

Support is available if you have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy or study skills. Our staff provide a friendly, enabling environment for learning. They are also actively engaged in research or professional practice, ensuring you learn directly from the latest academic and business developments.

The course is also supported by a group of employers who contribute towards resources used in teaching, offer sponsorship and placements to students, and are keen to employ UWE Bristol graduates.

Assessment

We assess you through a combination of written examinations, coursework, projects, presentations and case studies. Because of the importance attached to presentation and collaboration skills, up to 25 per cent of assessment is through oral presentation and group work.

Careers / Further study

On graduation from the MSc or Graduate Diploma routes you will be well equipped to meet the challenges posed by changes to the quantity surveying profession and the wider construction industry and to exploit the opportunities these changes offer.

How to apply

Information on applications can be found at the following link: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/study/applyingtouwebristol/postgraduateapplications.aspx

Funding

- New Postgraduate Master's loans for 2016/17 academic year –

The government are introducing a master’s loan scheme, whereby master’s students under 60 can access a loan of up to £10,000 as a contribution towards the cost of their study. This is part of the government’s long-term commitment to enhance support for postgraduate study.

Scholarships and other sources of funding are also available.

More information can be found here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/feesandfunding/fundingandscholarships/postgraduatefunding.aspx

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*This is a new course and is subject to academic approval. The course may be subject to change and confirmed details of the content of the course will be published in our online prospectus from June 2016, subject to the course having been approved for delivery.

Develop the theoretical knowledge and gain proficiency in the practical skills required to become an expert in quantity surveying and commercial project management.

You might already work in the construction industry, or you might be looking to expand on the experience you have built up in a related field. Delivered online, you will develop the core competencies required by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. You will become confident in decision making, conducting and overseeing research and strategic thinking. On graduating, you will be eligible to sit the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Assessment of Professional Competence, the final stage to becoming a chartered quantity surveyor.

Our links with local, regional and national employers will ensure what you learn and the projects you undertake will be inspired by contemporary industry practice and highly relevant to your future career.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/quantitysurveyingcm_msc

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

You will be well placed to progress to charteredquantity surveyor status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Youwill have the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to work as a charteredquantity surveyor, or you could choose to enter a related field such asengineering or project management.

- Commercial Manager
- Chartered Quantity Surveyor
- Project Manager

Careers advice: The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

We are focused on your professional and personal development. You will be guided by an expert teaching team that maintains close links with industry professionals, employers and customers to ensure your course will reflect current practice and the demands of industry. You will mix knowledge-based tasks with hands-on projects to hone your expertise and develop the practical skills that will ensure you are a work-ready graduate.

On graduating, you will be eligible to apply to sit the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' Assessment of Professional Competence, the final stage to becoming a chartered quantity surveyor. Alternatively, you could choose to enter a related field such as engineering or project management.

In addition to the comprehensive learning resources accessible via our online Library, guest lectures, conferences and course-specific events will be digitally captured and made available to you.

Indicative Modules

Construction Law
Study the function and effectiveness of legal principles in the resolution of design/construction problems and learn how to apply these principles to avoid or resolve such difficulties.

Building Economics
Undertake appraisals of construction proposals in terms of design, financial viability and client value, and research and critically appraise methodologies for cost and value decisions.

QS Professional Practice
Understand practice and procedures for financial management, from pre-contract through to final account, and develop techniques for effective financial control which take into account social, corporate and ethical considerations.

Sustainable Construction
Address the technological aspects of construction primarily related to structure, fabric and finishes, including sustainability issues that apply to the built environment.

Procurement & Tendering
Examine traditional and non-traditional procurement and tendering methods and contractual obligations in English and international law. You will also study administrative procedures associated with risk, value and supply chain management.

QS Commercial and Financial Management
Develop an understanding of the major financial accounting statements and concepts and principles of financial control at both project and corporate level.

Research Methods
Gain the necessary skills to research, draft and present assessed work in a subject of interest and appropriate to the award.

Major Project
Conduct independent professional and academic research and produce a research paper of relevance to a masters degree programme.

Facilities

- Library and online resources
Our Library is open 24/7, every day of the year. However you like to work, we have got you covered with group and silent study areas, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- Broadcasting Place
Broadcasting Place provides students with creative and contemporary learning environments, is packed with the latest technology and is a focal point for new and innovative thinking in the city.

- Leeds Sustainability Institute
Our research centre offers the latest drone and thermal imaging technology to provide new ways of measuring and evaluating building sustainability.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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This course is designed to build on your existing mathematical skills and allows you to both broaden and deepen your understanding of the branch or branches of mathematics which most interest you.

The flexibility of this course allows you to either keep your studies quite broad, learning a range of mathematical techniques or specialise in areas of pure mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics depending on your interests.

If you do not meet the full academic entry requirements then you may wish to consider the Graduate Diploma in Mathematics. This course is aimed at students who would like to study for a mathematics related MSc course but do not currently meet the entry requirements.

On completion of the Graduate Diploma, students who meet the required performance level will be eligible for entry onto a number of related MSc courses, in the following academic year.

Course content

There are a range of taught modules to choose from which provide the opportunity to combine mainstream, advanced mathematical topics and innovative methods selected from the research interests of the School of Mathematics.

You must enrol on 180 or 185 credits in total, made up from both taught modules and an individual research project.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation in Mathematics 60 credits 

For more information on typical modules, read Mathematics MSc in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

Teaching is by lectures, tutorials, seminars and supervised research projects. Extensive use is made of IT and a wide range of materials is available to enable students to study at their own pace and in their own time to enhance and extend the material taught formally.

Assessment

Assessment is by a range of methods, including formal examination, in-class tests, example sheets, problem solving, project work and verbal presentations.

The research project will be assessed based on 85% from the written report, and 15% from an oral presentation. It will contribute 60 credits to the overall total.

Career opportunities

There is a high demand for mathematicians and statisticians across a range of sectors such as the petroleum and nuclear industries, medicine and IT, as well as many forms of engineering and different government departments.

Further study at Masters level can be useful for some maths-related careers such as operational research, medical statistics in pharmaceutical companies, meteorology, engineering design, finance and IT-based roles.

Common Careers paths for Maths graduates include:

Actuary

Actuaries evaluate, manage and advise on financial risks. They use their knowledge of business and economics, together with their understanding of probability theory, statistics and investment theory, to provide strategic, commercial and financial advice.

Operational Research

Operational researchers use analytical and creative skills to assist organisations in developing better systems and operational procedures. By examining an organisation's operations and using mathematical modelling, computer software or other analytical approaches, they find more effective ways of working.

Corporate investment banker

Corporate investment bankers provide a range of financial services to companies, institutions and governments. They manage corporate, strategic and financial opportunities, including:

• -mergers
• acquisitions
• bonds and shares
• lending
• privatisations
• initial public offerings (IPOs)

Corporate investment bankers also advise and lead management buyouts, raise capital, provide strategic advice to clients, and identify and secure new deals

Quantity Surveyor

A quantity surveyor manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.

Meteorologist

Meteorologists study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea and upper atmosphere. They use computerised and mathematical models to make short and long-range forecasts concerning weather and climate patterns.

Further study

This MSc in Mathematics will provide you with excellent preparation for research for an MPhil or PhD. At Leeds we have a range of research opportunities available and in some cases you can progress to a PhD on the basis of a specified performance in the MSc.

The quality of the School’s research was recognised in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) where Mathematics at Leeds was ranked equal 8th overall and equal 9th for research impact in the UK.

Read about postgraduate research in the School of Mathematics.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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Why choose this course?

This is a fast-track conversion course for graduates from disciplines unrelated to construction and real estate, which leads to Chartered Surveyor status.

• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

• Optional international field trip

• Dedicated postgraduate resource room

• Part-time and full-time study options

Course focus

The course has a cost, contract management, and procurement focus, making it particularly appropriate to applicants wishing to gain a stronger insight into these aspects of the cost management and construction business.

Quantity surveyors manage all costs relating to construction projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. They aim to minimise the costs of a project, ensure value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), enabling successful graduates entry to the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) of the RICS; a prerequisite for full Chartered Surveyor status.

Postgraduate scholarships

The School will be offering a number of scholarships for students commencing their studies on one of our postgraduate construction courses.

Find out more about these scholarships at http://www.ntu.ac.uk/adbe-pgscholarships

Postgraduate open evenings

Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities.

Find out more and book your place at http://www.ntu.ac.uk/adbeopenevenings

https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/find-your-course/architecture-design-built-environment/pg/2017-18/quantity-surveying

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Are you interested in gaining a master’s qualification that will equip you for a professional career in surveying? This RICS accredited course includes a specialist pathway for becoming a quantity surveyor, also known as a construction cost consultant.

The first stage of this course will introduce you to key concepts and frameworks related to built environment disciplines. The second stage is specific to quantity surveying and will develop your knowledge of writing specifications, tendering, managing contracts and projects, procurement, construction law and dispute resolution.

The final stage will be a master’s dissertation that investigates an aspect of how quantity surveyors manage the costs of construction projects while ensuring the required standards and quality.

The course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), which is a reflection of its relevance and quality and meets the academic requirements for membership.

You’ll study by flexible distance learning. Many of our students combine their studies with jobs in property, construction or a wide range of other industries. We welcome people from a variety of academic backgrounds, not just surveying.

Learn From The Best

You’ll be taught by tutors who have many years of experience in the property and construction sectors. Their professional experience, combined with their on-going active research, will provide an excellent foundation for your learning.

The quality of their research has put Northumbria University among the UK’s top 30 universities for the percentage of research outputs in architecture and built environment that are ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Our reputation for quality is reflected by the range and depth of our collaborations with industry partners. These collaborations and links help inform our curriculums and ensure input from practitioners.

Teaching And Assessment

This is a distance learning course and you’ll learn through expertly written learning materials that help you engage with topics in interactive ways. Like other master’s courses there is a significant element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection.

The pace of the two-year course is controlled to make it easier for you to balance work, study and life commitments. We encourage online communities to flourish among all those taking the course, ensuring that you can interact with fellow students.

Assessments are designed to give you feedback as well as to monitor your level of achievement. You can expect both your tutors and your peers to provide useful comments and feedback throughout the course. Assessment is coursework based. There are no examinations.

Module Overview
Year One
KA7016 - Economics and Business Environment (Core, 20 Credits)
KA7050 - Law and Quantity Surveying Professional Practice (Core, 20 Credits)
KA7054 - Construction and Sustainable Technologies (Core, 20 Credits)
KA7055 - Dissertation Preparation Module (Core, 0 Credits)

Year Two
KA7018 - Quantity Surveying Practice and Management (Core, 20 Credits)
KA7032 - Dissertation (Core, 60 Credits)
KA7041 - Contract Administration and Practice (Core, 20 Credits)
KA7044 - Construction Economics (Core, 20 Credits)

Learning Environment

As a distance learner you’ll have full access to our eLearning Portal, ‘Blackboard Learn’, which includes web conferencing, study notes, discussion boards, virtual classrooms and communities. Blackboard Learn brings together all aspects of course management as well as assessment and feedback. You can contact tutors in other ways too, including by email and telephone.

You’ll also have online access to Northumbria’s library, which has half a million electronic books that you can read whenever or wherever you need them. Our library was ranked #2 in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey for 2015 and, since 2010, it has been accredited by the UK Government for Customer Service Excellence.

Research-Rich Learning

As a master’s student you’ll develop your research skills to a new and higher level. Your research supervisor will help you submit a proposal for your master’s dissertation and then discuss its development through to completion in the final semester.

Northumbria’s strong research ethos is an essential aspect of how you will develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker. Throughout the course your learning will be directly impacted by the teaching team’s active research.

Our specialist interests include construction management and economics - including economic aspects of sustainability, innovation in architectural design and urban design with an emphasis on place-making. Northumbria University is also known for Building Information Modelling and novel uses of computational modelling.

Give Your Career An Edge

The course meets a particular need for professional training for graduates who may not have studied quantity surveying at undergraduate level. During the course you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to work in quantity surveying. At the same time you’ll develop transferable key skills and personal attributes that promote employability and lifelong learning.

The dissertation in addition to the taught modules will promote personal development and a range of interpersonal, intellectual and technical skills.

The course has the additional credibility of being accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) for the purpose of graduate membership.

When it comes to applying for jobs and promotions, our Careers and Employment Service offers a range of resources as well as support that’s available online and on a one-to-one basis.

Your Future

This course will open up new opportunities in areas such as quantity surveying, construction management, project management and property development.

The course could also lead you to a postgraduate research degree such as an MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorate. If you decide to start up your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university.

Whatever you decide to do, you will have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.

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The course is intended for non-surveying graduates working, or intending to work, in the construction industry offering advice on project feasibility, methods for financing and procuring construction work and financial management of the design and construction process within consultant firms, client organisations or contracting companies.

Applicants should have an interest in construction cost management and the motivation to pursue an intensive route to professional qualifications. Course content covers the skills required of the practicing quantity surveyor.

Three supplementary modules at the beginning of the course bring you up to speed in relation to construction technology, law and contract documentation and administration before you embark on the masters level modules. These supplementary modules are a distinguishing feature of the course and are highly valued by students and their employers.

Features of the course:

• RICS accredited (PGDip) award in 2 semesters for full-time students or 4 semesters for part time students
• Option to achieve a PGDip award, take a break of up to 2 years, and return to do a 'top-up' Masters
• Emphasis on the business skills required in quantity surveying practice
• Contributions to programme from practitioners
• An expanding Alumni Association that provides you with excellent networking opportunities.

Excellent scholarship opportunity

Students who have accepted an offer for a place on this course are encouraged to apply for LSBU's Stuart A Johnson scholarship. Find out more about the Stuart A Johnson scholarship:

http://www.lsbu.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/fees-and-funding/scholarships/stuart-a-johnson-scholarship

Modules

The postgraduate modules cover project appraisal, methods for financing and procuring construction work and financial management of the design and construction process. There is also a module that develops understanding of the construction industry from an economic perspective and a module on construction contract law.

You also select one option from a wide selection of modules that are offered to all our postgraduate students. In order to complete the MSc stage, students are required to take a research methods module and undertake a major dissertation on a topic approved by their supervisor.

• Institutional and legal context for construction
• Construction
• Measurement, documentation and estimating
• Project evaluation
• Construction contract administration
• Construction law
• Procurement and management of construction
• Economics and finance for construction
• Dissertation

Optional modules:

Please be aware that option selection is subject to availability.

• Behavioural finance
• Building control
• Building information modelling and collaborative working
• Health and safety management in construction
• History of architecture and construction
• International real estate and construction
• Legal resolution of property and construction disputes

Placements

Surveying project:

Our surveyors look at financing a project, procuring construction work, financial management and the entire construction process. We want our students to have 'real world' experiences while studying at LSBU, of field work is a major component. We create these situations by inviting guest speaks in to give up-to-date lectures, having great industry links and taking our students into situations where they would like to work. Most of our surveying and construction courses give our students the opportunity to carry out a construction project. Their work will take into account current construction technologies, energy efficiency solutions and environmental and sustainability issues. The project is very detailed and is carried out across site visits, analysing on-going construction projects and an appraisal of eco-technologies. These factors can be influenced by a construction's location so our field trips can take our students both overseas to expanding countries like Dubai or round the corner to building developments happening on our own campus.

Market report and case study analysis:

Students on our MSc Surveying courses can choose to study International Real Estate & Construction as an optional. For this complex module students need to go on a study visit to an international city which has an emerging real estate and construction market.

Past students have gone abroad to take in either Dubai in the United Arab Emirates or Shanghai in the People's Republic of China. The field trip includes visits to real estate companies and construction firms, site visits and meetings with various professionals. From these briefings, students need to produce a country report that includes a detailed strategy including how they could break through in the real estate or construction market in these overseas destinations.

Accreditation

The MSc/PgDip is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; this will allow entry to Quantity Surveying and Construction Faculty through APC.

Employability

The employment record for students on this programme is excellent, with previous graduates gaining employment across nearly all of the largest consulting and contracting firms. Many are also employed by smaller firms in this exciting industry.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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The Mega Infrastructure Planning, Appraisal and Delivery MSc is unique in preparing students for the major challenges ahead globally in the mega infrastructure field. The programme offers a holistic approach to the field offering decision making and problem solving that lead to more robust investment outcomes.

Degree information

This MSc provides a critical review of mega infrastructure planning and appraisal methods and international practice and assesses how 'fit for purpose' these are for current sustainable development challenges. The programme focuses on generic lessons and principles that apply across the different sectors, while also covering the sectoral and context-specific considerations that determine success in different development contexts.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of seven core modules (105 credits), one option (15 credits), dissertation (60 credits) and a field trip (not credit bearing).

A Postgraduate Diploma, seven core modules (105 credits), one elective module (15 credits), full-time nine months and part-time 2 to 5 years is offered.

Core modules
-Mega Infrastructures as Agents of Change
-Infrastructure Planning, Appraisal and Delivery Toolbox
-Risk, Uncertainty and Complexity in Decision-making
-Critical Issues in Mega Infrastructure Investments
-Twenty-first Century Infrastructure Planning, Appraisal and Delivery Toolbox
-Sustainability Visions and Challenges for Mega Infrastructure Investments
-Group Project

Optional modules - students choose one elective module from:
-UCL Bartlett School of Planning
-UCL Bartlett Development Planning Unit
-UCL Geography
-UCL Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering

Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake a supervised independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of traditional lectures, tutorials and seminars, a field trip, individual and group project work, and skills-based practical project work, with direct practitioner involvement. Student performance is assessed through individual and group work, essays, examination and project work.

Careers

Students have gone on to take up positions in:
-Government.
-Consultancy firms.
-International development organisations and banks.
-Utility companies.
-Research and academic institutions involved in the transport, energy, retailing and housing sectors, as well as in urban, regional and environmental planning.
-Graduates have also undertaken PhD studies at the Bartlett School of Planning.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Senior Planning Consultant, Ali Planning Consultants.
-Policy Analyst, Just Base.
-PhD Trust and Transparency in Decision-Making of Infrastructure Projects, University College London (UCL).
-Quantity Surveyor, Berkeley Group.
-Planning Consultant, World Union.

Employability
The programme has been conceived to provide enhanced capacity-building opportunities for those currently working in the field of mega infrastructure development and offers an invaluable qualification for new entrants into the field. With strong links to industry, government and academia on a global scale, a very high percentage of past students have gone on to find placements within the first year after graduation.

Why study this degree at UCL?

Prepared by the OMEGA Centre and its teaching and research team at the Bartlett School of Planning, this programme is delivered together with internationally renowned academics and practitioners in the field of mega infrastructure development.

The programme is interdisciplinary and international, drawing from experiences both in the developed and developing world. It seeks to provide students with insights, knowledge and skills that will assist them in planning, appraising and delivering future mega infrastructure developments in a manner that is sensitive to the risks, uncertainties and complexities of different contexts.

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You develop your practical and theoretical knowledge and critical understanding of issues and subjects relevant to your chosen field for study and your personal, interpersonal and professional skills and capabilities, including those of self-direction and self-management.

The course aims to produce graduates who meet the academic, professional and ethical standards required by the RICS. It enables you to operate as independent reflective practitioner and provides you with both transferable and specific vocational skills which can be used to gain professional employment in a rapidly changing environment.

On the course you strengthen your knowledge of theory, contracts and practice through activities such as case studies and simulations. You also complete an individual in-depth dissertation that requires a critical and evaluative approach to professional practice and theory. Through your dissertation you complete technical and professional tasks, and apply contractual solutions, while drawing on your developing knowledge.

You benefit from a range of teaching, learning and assessment techniques which allow you to work on complex, professional briefs that have an emphasis on the latest thinking from the quantity surveying sector.

Areas studied on the course reflect the wide and varying nature of the quantity surveying profession and include economics in relation to the construction industry and how it impacts on the profession, as well as construction law and dispute resolution methods. You also learn to carry out the measurement of construction works, and gain knowledge of building technology and sustainability.

The course also enables you to study and appraise the financial management and cost planning of projects, so that you can actively provide budget costings and control cost during the life of a project. You discover the procurement methods used in the industry and gain knowledge to be able to advise and appraise on the contract administration requirements and choices for a wide range of different projects.

you study and complete research of a particular area of interest in order to produce a dissertation. In addition to this, the course also includes an interdisciplinary development task in a different country. On this task you work with students from across related subjects to increase understanding of the other roles in the profession that interact on a day-to-day basis and how the role of a quantity surveyor fits in with these roles. It also develops the skills and knowledge that are essential to becoming an effective professional practitioner.

Our course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and satisfies the academic stage of the journey towards attaining Chartered Surveyor status in a quantity surveying professional career pathway. It is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).The course’s reputation means many international surveying firms recruit students for roles spanning the globe.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Course structure

Modules

• Economics and market context
• Law and professional context
• Sustainable building technology
• Measurement of construction works
• Financial management and cost planning
• Project procurement and contract administration

MSc

• Applied research methods and dissertation

Assessment

• coursework
• projects
• examinations

Employability

After completing the course, you are able to proceed to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors assessment of professional competence.

Practical quantity surveying knowledge and skills improve your career prospects in the UK and global public and commercial sectors. Opportunities range from fund manager to specialist subcontractor. They provide a vitally important service to the organisations they serve.

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On our MSc degree, you will learn how to add value to projects through demonstrating excellent knowledge and skills in managing cost and information, advancing practices and procedures, and managing risk effectively.

What's covered in the course?

The course will develop your skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, business development, team collaboration, cost management and awareness of sustainability in the built environment. You will learn how to ensure construction projects are delivered to the satisfaction of the client and other construction professionals and influence a better future in the built environment.

You will develop knowledge and skills to meet the challenges presented by change and innovation in the sector.

The course provides opportunities for graduates from diverse backgrounds including students from the UK and international students, students with limited exposure to the built environment, as well as students looking for mid-career development in a quantity surveying specialist area.

The course is designed to challenge you to question your current thinking and practices in the face of a rapidly changing global construction industry, and develop your ability to be innovative and creative in solving unique problems.

It will encourage you to engage in life-long learning and become an independent professional learner through a range of modern interactive teaching.

Why Choose Us?

-This course enables you to meet the challenges of the built environment and lead the future construction industry as a qualified quantity surveyor.
-The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is seeking accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Successful completion of the programme enables you to pursue Professional Membership of RICS.
-You will take part in workshops with students from other built environment postgraduate courses. This leads to genuinely multi-professional learning and develops your understanding of all aspects of this exciting industry.
-Strong industry links help you make vital contacts and gain practical experience to back up theory.
-Specialised modules deliver the latest knowledge and skills in cost management and quantification including advanced whole life costing approaches, probabilistic risk modelling and BIM cost management.

Course in depth

The teaching for this course puts you at the centre of learning and teaching, with a particular focus on the reflective learner and the development of professional skills and applied research. The course team use lectures, seminars, workshops, action learning sets, group work, problem based activities, guest speakers, on-line learning via Moodle, a study trip and discussion forums to deliver learning.

Critical thinking is vital in Master’s study, and you are required to develop your own ideas and come up with solutions to problems based on solid evidence and logical analysis. You’ll also be expected to complete reading and assignments outside of class hours.

Part-time students attend lectures on a day-release basis, and share the modules with full-time students.

Modules
-Construction Law and Contract 20 credits
-Project Management Methods 20 credits
-Cost Management 20 credits
-Sustainable Construction 20 credits
-Advanced Quantification 20 credits
-Integrated Project Delivery 20 credits
-Dissertation 60 credits

This course is accredited by:

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Successful completion of the course will lead to Professional Membership after the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

Enhancing your employability skills

Birmingham City University programmes aim to provide graduates with a set of attributes which prepare them for their future careers. The BCU Graduate:
-Is professional and work ready
-Is a creative problem solver
-Is enterprising
-Has a global outlook

The University has introduced the Birmingham City University Graduate+ programme, which is an extra-curricular awards framework that is designed to augment the subject based skills that you develop through your programme with broader employability skills and techniques that will enhance your employment options when you leave university.

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Why take this course?

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC) is changing: Building Information Modelling and Management (BIM) is becoming the industry standard for the design, build and management of modern buildings and structures.

BIM is not just a new technology, or application, but an entirely new method of working that is being adopted across the AEC industry. From 2016, the British Government will only award large public sector building contracts to companies and consortia using BIM. By 2019, this will extend to all public sector contracts, large and small.

This course has been developed specifically to respond to the need for skilled and experienced BIM professionals, not only in the use of the technology, but in its implementation, from design, to procurement, to financial management and throughout the conception, construction and the life of a building.

What will I experience?

On this course you will:

Cover the fundamentals of project and financial management software such as Revit, CostX, Synchro, as well as design software such as AutoCAD
Learn how to integrate the new technology and methodology of BIM with the established principles of planning and project management
Explore the practical and theoretical applications - and challenges - of BIM and become an advocate and enabler of its adoption by industry

What opportunities might it lead to?

This Masters course will support progression into further research or an academic career. BIM professionals who pursue careers in large or small businesses and in the public sector, can expect to work in roles such as:

BIM Coordinator/Strategist
Project Manager
Consultant
Technician

Our postgraduate courses in Quantity Surveying and Property Development are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This course will also be submitted for accreditation once fully established.

Module Details

You will be taught by staff from a wide range of backgrounds, including architects, quantity surveyors, project managers, construction lawyers, and structural engineers. You will also benefit from the insights of guest lecturers and visiting industry professionals.

Core units include:

BIM Theory and Practice: Understanding the technology and the ways in which the associated software supports building and management processes.

Integrated BIM Projects and Corporate Management: Understanding how to align corporate and company systems with the BIM method.

Modelling and Interoperability in the BIM Environment: Exploring the potential for further development of BIM and its applications.

Dissertation: An opportunity to complete an independent dissertation project during the final stage of the course. You will be able to choose a subject area of particular personal interest, within the broad scope of the built environment.

Optional Units include:

Strategic and General Management: On this unit you will cover management in the construction industry. You will also cover development of organisational and project strategic direction, taking into account internal and external environments.

Construction Law, Contracts, and Dispute Resolution: This unit provides a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the background to and the working of the legal system in England and Wales relevant to the practice of a quantity surveyor.

Programme Assessment

The classroom element of teaching will be through lectures, seminars and tutorials. Individual projects and group collaboration projects will utilise our specialised computer labs and design studios.

In line with the digital content of the course, all work is developed and submitted electronically through Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment. Assessment methods include:

Individual coursework
Group project
Individual Presentations
Group presentations
Reports
Individual project/dissertation

Student Destinations

You will benefit from our strong links with both architecture, engineering and construction industry and professions. BIM is a new and valuable skill to many employers, and graduates from this course are highly sought after. This course also provides you with the skills and knowledge to support employability in a range of professional roles in the built environment, both in the UK and internationally.

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The built environment is changing - the EU has set a target for all new buildings to be nearly zero-energy efficient by the end of 2020. This is your opportunity to get up to speed on the newest practices in designing energy efficient buildings and refurbishments.

Through case studies and fieldwork, you will analyse the latest energy efficiency innovations and renewable technologies applied to new buildings and those undergoing a retrofits. By examining contemporary passive houses, nearly-zero buildings and energy plus structures, you'll discover how the leading exemplars in this field achieve their efficiency performances. You'll also study the shortcomings in current building efficiencies - where they fall short in meeting their energy targets and how they can be improved with the resources available.

Your work will be shaped by cutting-edge research as you collaborate with specialists who help inform new Government regulations and policies. This will broaden your knowledge and help you forge contacts with the principal thinkers and leaders in the building performance sector.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/energyefficientbuildings_apd

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

Energy efficiency surveyors and specialists arealready in high demand, and the need for their expertise will continue to growas the industry faces tighter energy legislation. This demand should filterthrough to related professions in architecture, construction management andquantity surveying, where knowledge in this area will complement existingexpertise and give those at the start of their careers a significant advantagein the jobs market.

- Property Developer
- Architect
- Construction Manager
- Quantity Surveyor

Careers advice:
The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

You will take part in site visits to study the very latest energy efficient buildings in detail, examining their characteristics and design specifications first-hand.

Our University has strong research links to industry, including many of the organisations such as the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the International Energy Institute that drive the energy efficiency agenda forward. This will give you the chance to network with the leading thinkers sharing and share in their latest insights. You will also evaluate industry software and the methodologies used to assess and monitor building efficiency.

All of our teaching staff have practical experience as consultants in new builds and refurbishment. They are recognised nationally and internationally, and some are directly involved in regulation and research that influences the direction of the industry.

Your course will give you the commanding expertise to make you highly sought after as the industry responds to the growing demand for energy efficiency specialists.

Core Modules

Low to Zero Energy Buildings & Energy Efficient Building Systems
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principals of low to zero energy buildings, focusing on their energy sustainability, fabric and systems such as lighting and heating.

Sustainable Refurbishment & Retrofit
Discover the techniques relating to sustainable refurbishment and retrofit, examining the design and detail of existing and pre-1900 structures.

Chris Gorse

Senior Lecturer

"New legislation is pushing for tightened building energy requirements over the next few years, so knowledge in this area is essential. Once the legislation is in place, the industry will have to rapidly upskill itself."

Chris Gorse is Professor of Construction and Project Management and Director of Leeds Sustainability Institute. He leads projects in the areas of sustainability, low carbon and building performance and has an interest in domestic new builds, commercial buildings and refurbishment. Chris is an established author and has consultancy experience in construction management and law.

Facilities

- Design Studios
You will be able to access our extensive studio facilities, which include workshops and computer modelling software to design and build projects.

- Library
Our Library is open 24/7, every day of the year. However you like to work, we have got you covered with group and silent study areas, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- Leeds Sustainability Institute
We offer the latest drone and thermal imaging technology to provide new ways of measuring and evaluating building sustainability.

- Broadcasting Place
Broadcasting Place provides students with creative and contemporary learning environments, is packed with the latest technology and is a focal point for new and innovative thinking in the city.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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The MSc in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (QSCM) programme is designed to meet the challenging demands of the modern learner and the rapidly evolving needs of the construction industry. It employs an innovative teaching structure that is integrated with Brookes’ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The result is the delivery of a flexible and exciting programme of study.

Starting in either January or September, the MSc programme may be studied either full time over one year, or as a distance learner over two years.

Why choose this course?

This course has accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and is pending accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This demonstrates professional recognition of the quality of our programme and as such our programme is your first step towards becoming a chartered Quantity Surveyor. Our staff sit on professional committees including CIOB and Constructing Excellence. Our longstanding links with prominent companies in the sector, such as Mace, Willmott Dixon and BAM Construction, and our strong links with local companies such as Beards, Kingerlee and Bidwells together ensure that the programme is directly tailored towards the employment skills needed by the construction Industry.

The coursework only programme uses an applied learning approach to study. This ensures that it is real-world focused and holistic. Not only is this more effective teaching, it is much more engaging than the traditional study and examination approach. Students develop a broad range of quantity surveying and management skills and knowledge including Building Information Modelling (BIM), project finance, technology, and procurement by working on real life problems as experienced by the construction industry. Our innovative programme structure which was commended at validation provides a flexible pattern of study that brings together both distance and full-time learners. Students can start either in September or January, easily switch between distance learning and full time modes of study and, if needed, extend their study up to 5 years.

Professional accreditation

This course has accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and is pending accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

This course in detail

There are two modes of delivery for the MSc QSCM: full time on campus or distance learning, and there are two entry points - September or January. Course length is as follows:
Full time: MSc:12 months; PGDip: 9 months; PGCert: 4 months
Part time: Distance Learning: MSc: 24 months; PGDip: 21 months; PGCert: 9 months

Extensive online learning material is provided to all students via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - our own intranet site to which students have access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Module leaders can be contacted via the VLE, e mail, telephone and Skype.

Intensive Study Periods - all students attend four intensive study periods during their programme each being around three days long. Students and staff enjoy these intensive sessions as they are able to share experiences and knowledge as well as renew friendships and make connections within the industry and the distance earning students get the opportunity to meet face-to-face with staff.

The organisation and the collaborative nature of these intensive study periods is always praised by our students who particularly like the site visits, workshops and guest lectures from industry experts.

European Field trip -To expose our students to the international nature of the construction industries, we also run a week long subsidised fieldtrip to Europe (usually Holland) every year in January. Feedback shows our students highly value this opportunity get to know how construction in other countries works to different management cultures.

Applied or Problem-Based Learning - We have responded to requests from industry to make our postgraduate education more practical and industry focused by using an ‘applied’ approach to learning, sometimes called “Problem-Based Learning” or PBL. This approach encourages learning by allowing you to actively puzzle through problems that are adapted from complex real-life situations. We use our links with industrial practitioners to help devise these problems and, as construction problems often cross discipline boundaries, they require research and collaboration to find their solutions. This leads to a more exciting and relevant student experience.

Teaching and learning

Teaching, learning and assessment methods are to a considerable degree shaped by the use of the applied learning approach. This leads to a more challenging and industrially relevant course than the traditional lecture approach.

Learning takes place through groups of students puzzling through problems, often adapted from real situations with much of the complexity and context intact, using published resources, or reference to experts who are available to offer advice.

In full-time mode, the delivery of new material is weekly with intermediate tutorial or seminar sessions. The intensive study weeks and a European field-trip, wherein students in both modes of study come together, complement this delivery pattern.

For the distance learner, the virtual learning environment is the primary mode of delivery. Communication with distance learning students will be supplemented by email, Skype and telephone.

Careers and professional development

Graduates of our postgraduate construction programmes have an outstanding employment record. Our graduates are recognised as having excellent levels of communication, presentation and problem-solving skills. Consequently, our students go on to be employed across the broad spectrum of the construction industries both locally and internationally.

Many of these companies visit the department annually to meet students for graduate positions whilst all of our distance learning students are employed full time by prominent companies in the sector.

As our programmes have accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), (and pending accreditation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)), our graduates are firmly on the path to become professionally chartered opening up excellent recognition for future career progression.

Graduates from the course will normally go on to become Quantity Surveyors within the construction industries, for which currently there are excellent job opportunities.

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