Key information
- Level
- Postgraduate Taught
- Delivery type
- Full Time, Part Time
- Degree qualification
- MSc
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 1 year
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September, January
- Next intake
- September
Our MSc in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying provides you with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the cost management and quantity surveying sectors of the built environment. Students will be equipped with building cost control and measurement skills, contract and procurement skills, construction technology knowledge, and management skills.
This degree is aimed at graduates who want to work in the cost management and quantity surveying sector, or those already in the built environment industry looking to deepen their skills and knowledge in quantity surveying practices.
Heriot-Watt University has excellent graduate outcomes, is ranked among top universities for Building, and our MSc in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying is industry-accredited by RICS and CIOB. This programme is informed by research at our Institute of Sustainable Built Environment, and we leverage our links to industry by providing guest lectures, ensuring that you are aware of the most relevant industry trends and issues.
Reasons to study:
- Industry-relevant curriculum: Features the knowledge and skills quantity surveying practices including building cost control and management, contract and procurement, construction technologies and management and leadership.
- Flexible learning: Choose between optional courses and varying final year projects to fully customise this programme to your desired expectations and outcomes, also choose the duration and intake based on your availability.
- Expert faculty: Learn from research-active construction professionals, construction managers, chartered surveyors, industry-leaders, and academics, with guest lectures enhancing industry engagement.
- Supported learning: Taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials and be assessed by coursework, exams, and your dissertation while receiving support and feedback throughout the programme. Access to specialist equipment, computing software and labs will also be given.
- Professional accreditation: The degree is accredited by leading bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
- World-class research: This School is part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
To recognise the academic excellence of our applicants, Heriot-Watt is offering a scholarship in the form of a £2,000 tuition fee reduction to the student/s deemed to have met the highest academic criteria in their application for MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying.
Learn moreYour student experience
Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active construction professionals, construction managers, chartered surveyors, industry-leaders, and academics. You’ll hear from several guest speakers from industry during the degree to engage further and build your professional network.
96% of Heriot-Watt University’s engineering research was classed as world-leading in the REF 2021 review, which ranked us 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for engineering research through a joint submission with the University of Edinburgh.
Heriot-Watt University also achieved 2nd in Scotland for Construction, Surveying & Planning in the Guardian University Guide 2026.
Our MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying programme is directly informed by the world class research carried out by Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE) which sits within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS). EGIS is one of the United Kingdom’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. The institute’s academic team conduct high-value and high-impact research on fields covering sustainability, digital innovation, design, and management of the built environment. The research relevance of this postgraduate programme ensures your studies remain innovative and industry focused.
This School is also part of the Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design, a leading body recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Centre is one of only four such centres established at United Kingdom universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory September
- Advanced Construction Technology
- Strategic Commercial Management
- Value and Risk Management
Optional September
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
- Quantity Surveying Practice
- Urban Economy and Property Markets
- Real Estate Appraisal and Finance
Mandatory January
- Information and Innovation Technologies in Construction Practice
- Quantity Surveying Financial Management
- Construction Financial Management
- People and Organisation Management in the Built Environment
Optional May
- Integrated Project
January Intake - Edinburgh
Year 1
Mandatory January
- Construction Financial Management
- Information and Innovation Technologies in Construction Practice
- People and Organisation Management in the Built Environment
- Quantity Surveying Financial Management
Mandatory September
- Value and Risk Management
- Advanced Construction Technology
- Strategic Commercial Management
Optional September
- Real Estate Appraisal and Finance
- Quantity Surveying Practice
- Urban Economy and Property Markets
- Sustainability for Construction Professionals
Optional Second January
- Integrated Project
Disclaimer
The courses mentioned above may change between now and the time that you study. For more information, please view our Terms and Conditions.
Programme Video
MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying – Colleen McGhee
Heriot-Watt graduate Colleen McGhee talks about why she chose the MSc Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying.
Student testimonials
Muhammad's story
Graduate, Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying MSc
What I enjoyed most about the programme was the comprehensive curriculum that covered both commercial management and quantity surveying in depth. The practical approach to learning, including case studies and real-world projects, significantly enhanced my understanding.See more
See moreI chose this programme to formalise my knowledge, deepen my understanding of global best practices, and align my future work with the evolving demands of the construction industry. Specifically, I chose to study at Heriot-Watt due to its strong industry links, international reputation, and practical approach to teaching, making it the perfect choice for furthering my career.
Fees and funding
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10,864 | £5,432 |
| International | £20,456 | £10,228 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
We aim to encourage well-qualified, ambitious students to study with us and we offer a wide variety of scholarships and bursaries to achieve this. Over £6 million worth of opportunities are available in fee and stipend scholarships, and more than 400 students benefit from this support.
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
Year 1
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or its non-UK equivalent, in a relevant or non-relevant subject provided that it includes evidence of essay writing and a personal statement demonstrating an interest in the subject.
We welcome applications from international students and accept qualifications from around the world. Please refer to the entry requirements for your country for more details.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 5.5.
If you do not have IELTS 6.0, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
Please see our detailed English language requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Student life
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