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.
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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.
Accreditation
Our Quantity Surveying degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Go Global
With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way.
You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.
Course content
Year 1
Note that the below course structure is subject to developmental change.
8 mandatory modules
In the first year, students learn the fundamental and basic themes of building as well as the roles of the relevant professions. Topics include construction modelling, construction technology, management practice, cost control principles, the built environment and microeconomics.
Year 2
6 mandatory modules | 2 optional modules
Further developing the economical, legal and managerial elements of the course, mandatory modules include commercial law, facilities management principles and cost modelling and measuring. While the optional modules allow students to choose from various language courses as well as principles of property valuation and introductory microeconomics.
Year 3
6 mandatory modules | 2 optional modules
Students will gain knowledge in subjects such as, safety management, procurement and contract, design cost planning and control while selecting 2 modules from 5 options including design issues, property development and energy and buildings.
Year 4
Dissertation | Design project | 4 mandatory modules
Students complete an individual research dissertation and 4 core modules which include, QS practice, cost and value management, innovation in construction practice and construction project management.
Employability
In highly skilled work
- 100% of those are in highly skilled work 15 months after graduating.
Salary
- The average salary of students 15 months after graduating: £27500
- The average UK salary of students 15 months after graduating from a similar course: £27000
Jobs
These are the most common jobs students go into 15 months after graduating:
- Architects, town planners and surveyors
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)
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 | £16,000 |
* 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.
** 'Rest of the UK' (RUK) and Republic of Ireland students entering at Level 1 receive a fee waiver of one year's tuition fee. Normally this will be the final year, or a year during which students study abroad (either at a partnership institution, or at one of Heriot-Watt's overseas campuses).
*** '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 starting undergraduate degree courses in 2021
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 students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.