BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying
The course
- UCAS code
- K241
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Delivery type
- Full-time
Heriot-Watt's top ranking reputation leads to great career prospects in the construction industry. We are ranked 1st Scotland and 3rd in the UK for Building in The Complete University Guide 2022.
Contact
Got questions about this programme?
Contact our enquiries team.
Overview
Quantity surveying provides clients of the construction industry with financial, contractual and technical advice ensuring they get value for money from the buildings they construct. The modern quantity surveyor is a construction professional who may be involved at all stages of the design and construction process, from providing business strategy and advice, working with architects and design team consultants, through to overseeing the onsite construction phase.
Heriot-Watt's top ranking reputation leads to great career prospects in the construction industry. We are ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for Building in The Complete University Guide 2022.
Our Quantity Surveying course will give you all the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful quantity surveyor. While studying quantity surveying (QS) at Heriot-Watt you will learn the fundamental elements of building before focusing on QS practice and learning how to manage the cost, legal and economic elements.
Facilities
We have a suite of built environment facilities including: a light structures lab, an Instron Universal testing machine, an immersive virtual reality system, Autodesk Revit software and Synchro 4D virtual construction software to create simulations.
Highlights
In year 1 you can participate in a walking tour of Edinburgh viewing the architecture of the Old and New Town.
In year 2 you have the opportunity to participate in Constructionarium, which provides hands-on construction working alongside professional engineers and tradesmen to construct scaled down versions of bridges, buildings, dams and civil engineering projects from all around the world.
In year 3, you have the opportunity to gain work experience via the Culture of External MENToring (CEMENT) scheme, which links students with professionals in practice to offer work placements, graduate employment opportunities and site visits. There are also field trip opportunities to a European city looking at the construction of some of the world’s most recognisable buildings.
In year 4, students undertake a week long collaborative design project working with students from across the built environment disciplines.
Global College pathway for this degree
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this degree, have a look at Heriot-Watt Global College, where you can follow an accelerated pathway which will get you onto the second year of this degree.
Accreditation
Our Quantity Surveying degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Go Global
This course is currently only delivered at our Edinburgh Campus and there are no current opportunities to study at exchange partner institutions.
However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact goglobal@hw.ac.uk for more information
Course content
Year 1
The below course structure is subject to developmental change.
In the first year, you'll learn the fundamental and basic themes of building as well as the roles of the relevant professions.
Semester 1
- Management in a Global Context
- Introductory Economics
- Construction Technology 1
- Shaping Tomorrow Together A
Semester 2
- Cost Control Principles
- Construction Modelling
- Human Geography & The City
- Shaping Tomorrow Together B
Year 2
Semester 1
- Introduction to Accounting and Finance
- Surveying and GIS
- Construction Technology 2
- Employability and Professional Skills
Semester 2
- Building Services Technology
- Cost Modelling and Measurement
- eConstructon
- Optional course
Optional courses include:
- Environment and Behaviour
- Global Communication in English
- The Economy
Year 3
Semester 1
- Design Cost Planning and Control
- Safety Management and Site Establishment
- Procurement and Contracts
- Construction Technology 3
Semester 2
- Innovation in Construction Practice
- Design for Construction
- Measurement and Cost Evaluation
- Optional course
Optional courses include:
- Design Issues
- Energy and Buildings
Year 4
Semester 1
- Design Project
- Dissertation
- Quantity Surveying Practice
- Cost and Value Management
Semester 2
- Design Project
- Dissertation
- Construction Information Management
- Optional course
Optional courses include:
- Social Sustainability
- Sustainable and Intelligent Buildings
- Environmental Planning
Discover Uni course data
Discover Uni provides data on each university's degree courses across a range of measures including student satisfaction, graduate jobs and salaries.
Employability
Work and study
This is what our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying students are doing 15 months after graduating:
- 75% are working
- 5% are studying
- 5% are working and studying.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £28000
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £28000
Potential career paths
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction professionals
Entry requirements
Year 1
Standard entry requirements
- Highers ABBB
- A-Levels BCC - BBB
- Int. Baccalaureate 28 points
- BTEC MMM (in relevant subject)
- HNC C in graded unit (in a relevant subject area)
Minimum entry requirements*
- Highers BBBC
- A-Levels BCC - BBB
* Minimum: under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:
- live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20), or
- are care experienced.
We can also make exceptions for some Scottish students with grades above minimum but below standard. Read more about our Minimum and standard entry requirements
Year 2
- Advanced Highers BC plus ABBB at Higher
- A-Levels BBB
- Int. Baccalaureate 33 points
- HNC B in graded unit (in a relevant subject area)
- HND BC in graded units (in a relevant subject area)
- BTEC DMM (in relevant subject)
- Global College Successful completion of our Engineering with Accelerator Programme
Year 3
- HND BB in graded units (in a relevant subject area)
Additional information
- For all years, applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates and overseas students.
- If you do not see your qualifications here please contact us at studywithus@hw.ac.uk
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
English language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you have to show that your English is good enough to succeed on your course. Please see our English language requirements.
Fees
| Status* | Scotland | England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | International** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Paid by SAAS | £9,250 | £18,704 |
* 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. Find out more about tuition fees.
** '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). Read more about the application process for EU nationals.
Additional costs
You may incur additional costs in the course of your studies at Heriot-Watt over and above tuition fees in an academic year. Depending on your programme of study, these may include: protective equipment, field trips, professional memberships, studio fees, required course texts or other study resources.
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.