Quantity Surveying MSc

Capable professionals with skills in commercial management and quantity surveying are always in high demand in the construction industry. With these valuable skills, you'll play an essential role in managing costs for construction projects in the UK and overseas.

GCU's MSc Quantity Surveying is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The programme is available at both the London and Glasgow campuses for full-time, part-time and distance learning.

The curriculum is practical and career-focused, making you a more competitive candidate for leadership roles in construction.

• Expand your frame of reference and your understanding of construction economics and project management
• Explore topics like risk and value management, quantification and costing of work, financial management and construction economics
• Investigate sustainable design and construction
• Learn how to handle construction contracts and disputes
• Connect your expertise to the real world with industrial case studies
• Complete a dissertation to integrate your knowledge and develop subject expertise

As the University for the Common Good, GCU's community emphasises real ways to make a positive impact. We work hard to excel at what we do so we can drive change in our communities and in our world. We're doers and builders. We hope when you graduate, you'll take that spirit with you, no matter where you go.

As a construction professional, you'll help build cities, businesses and homes; you also have the power to build the common good.

What you will study

The programme utilises a range of new and proven modules designed to enhance the skills set of construction professionals. It provides students with an opportunity to develop their abilities, frame of reference and a common understanding of construction economics and project management to work more effectively within industry. Choose from a range of potential electives that reinforce the professional requirements of the modern construction industry and help develop competencies in a range of appropriate specialist areas.

Construction Contract and Disputes

Examine the legal and contractual issues involved with projects; focusing on the critical appraisal and application of contract administration for construction projects. This includes the analysis and evaluation of approaches to the selection of appropriate procurement strategies for international construction projects. The module also considers how failures have occurred in respect to conflict in construction and proceeds to discuss methods for the management of conflict and the means of resolving disputes, from an international perspective.

Construction Economics and Procurement

Gain a full conceptual understanding of the economics of the construction industry. The module also focuses on the interaction between the national economy and the construction sector including the forecasting of construction demand. It will also cover the microeconomic issues including supply chain management.

Construction Financial Management

Provides an understanding of financial management within the wider construction industry and how this can be affected through cyclical trends. All aspects of the financial management of construction projects are considered, with particular attention paid to capital investment decisions and cash flow management.

Development and Project Economics

The management of projects from a commercial perspective, i.e. the economic appraisal of projects.

Quantification and Costing of Works

Core competencies for the quantity surveyor. The module examines the measurement and quantification of construction works using a range of measurement methods. It also examines estimating and pricing methods of construction works based upon a variety of information.

Risk and Value Management

The management of risk on international construction projects including methodologies for risk identification, analysis, acceptance and transfer - vital elements to the success of a project - using hypothetical and live projects to place the topic in context.

Sustainable Design and Construction

Core construction technology competencies related to sustainability for the quantity surveyor. Providing students with knowledge and understanding of the principles of sustainable design and construction; and introduces the main requirements, technologies, tools, methods, processes and systems required to develop a sustainable building.

International Construction Project Finance

The financial management from bid preparation to contract financing, with particular emphasis on capital investment decisions and cash flow management, all within the context of international construction projects.

Project Management

Project management concepts, the roles and responsibilities of project managers and organisational structures within which project management operates.

Masters Dissertation

An opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation, with a strong emphasis on originality and analysis.

Assessment methods

Combination of exams, coursework, online discussions and a presentation. The university has a policy of using the Blackboard web-based virtual learning environment to complement face-to-face tuition.

Distance learning access

Quantity surveying students taking the distance learning option require their own computer and internet access. A high level of technical knowledge is not required, however you should be comfortable using a word processor package, email and have some experience of searching the web.

Graduate prospects

The MSc Quantity Surveying degree will prepare you for a surveying profession at a strategic level. You'll find employment in areas such as project management and economics, dispute resolution and international construction.

Visit the Quantity Surveying MSc page on the GCU London website for more details!