MSc Building Surveying
This course is open for applications
Introduction
Obtain a RICS-accredited qualification, heighten your career prospects and develop your managerial and technical skills. The course boasts excellent industry links and high employability levels.
Accreditations and partnerships:
The MSc in Building Surveying is an innovative course for graduates who wish to follow an accredited route towards qualification as a Chartered Building Surveyor and/or Chartered Building Engineer.
You don't need a specific undergraduate degree or related professional experience to study this course. Designed for students from anywhere in the world, the course delivery is accessible to a wide audience with diverse personal and professional backgrounds.
UWE Bristol has developed this course through extensive consultation with employers, in order to offer a comprehensive programme of study. Our links with the profession, locally and nationally, help us maintain a high employability record.
This course is fully accredited as a postgraduate route way to the desired chartered status.
Real-world input
The course's teaching staff includes Chartered Building Surveyors with many years' experience, and we have input from visiting practitioners and speakers. The course also draws upon the research authorship and consultancy carried out in the department.
You will have access to a coherent programme of study in building surveying, underpinned by staff research and consultancy that reflects and answers the needs of professional practice. This will enable you to become an effective member of a building surveying team within a relatively short period.
On the course, we encourage you to examine the links between theoretical concepts, research outputs and the practice of building surveying, while developing your academic skills within a professionally defined framework. You'll also develop an excellent understanding of the multi-disciplinary and multi-professional nature of building surveying.
Structure
Content
Year one
You will study:
- Advanced Building Surveying (30 credits) - This module focusses on the strategic management role of the building surveyor, bringing together issues relating to the repair, refurbishment and adaptation of buildings. Examine the impact of new technologies and the developing sustainability agenda on practice.
- Building Pathology (15 credits) - A core area for building surveying - investigating the pathology of how buildings deteriorate, exploring the range of investigative and reporting techniques and protocol a building surveyor uses.
- Commercial Development (30 credits) - Here we look at the issues affecting design, selection criteria and performance characteristics in design, construction, and services. We explore the economic and market influences on the feasibility of property development schemes
- Conserving Buildings and Places (15 credits) - An introduction to the ideas, principles and practices of conserving the built heritage. It includes an academic consideration of conservation values.
- Estates and Strategic Management (15 credits) - A study of the management of an organisation's built estate assets in relation to their corporate goals, considering various environmental factors
- Dissertation (60 credits) - This module will equip and guide you to undertake independent research on issues and topics relevant to construction and the built environment
- Construction Procurement and Law (15 credits) - This module will equip you to make informed decisions about risk apportionment, procurement method and contract strategy. You'll also study the legislative context of contracts, the framework and impact of other areas of law (including some international aspects) and the various means for resolving disputes.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching methods vary between modules, however it will include lectures, project work and tutorials.
We provide a friendly, supportive learning environment. Our teaching staff are all involved in research or professional practice, so you learn directly from the latest academic and business developments.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
Attendance for full-time students is two days per week and for part-time students the equivalent of one day per week.
Assessment
Assessment is through a balance of coursework and examinations. Examinations are held in either January or April/May. Coursework comprises a variety of essays, reports, surveys, design projects, teamwork and progress tests.
We encourage you to undertake 'formative work' to prepare for assessment. This will not count towards your module marks, but the feedback you receive will help you improve your performance.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Professional accreditation
Both the full-time and part-time courses are accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Both courses satisfy the academic requirements for entry to the RICS. You must spend a minimum of two years in practice, and pass the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) set by the RICS before you can achieve full membership.
You can become a student member of the RICS while you study, and part-time students can start the APC if in relevant employment, subject to RICS regulations.
Fieldwork
This course includes a range of lectures from visiting practicing professionals and the RICS Regional Training Adviser and also visits to appropriate construction sites and other relevant locations to enhance the learning experience.
Study facilities
We have well-equipped laboratories for concrete and environmental services, environmental physics, earth sciences, spatial analysis (including mapping and Geographical Information Systems) and surveying technology. Each with specialist technicians to support teaching and research.
There is also an audio-visual group that provides support for photography, digital imaging, filming and sound recording.
Our Department of Architecture and the Built Environment has invested significantly in online and offline computer-based resources to support modules - especially those available through distance learning. Find out more about our department facilities.
The facilities and resources..
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Construction, Property and Surveying facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Building Surveying encompasses a wide range of activities related to design, construction and property management. Whilst emphasis is often on existing buildings, building surveyors are involved in all aspects of buildings, from conception, feasibility, design and construction to their strategic and tactical management, repair refurbishment, conversion and conservation.
Both routes of study that UWE Bristol provides are regarded highly by existing and potential employers, and our employability record is excellent. Our graduates often go straight into employment, or use their newfound skills and knowledge to enhance their current roles or to move into management positions with existing employers.
Fees
Full time course
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
See our funding pages for more information.
Entry
Entry requirements
We normally require an honours degree at 2:2 or above.
If you do not meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.
As this is a vocational course, applicants are expected to show through their application that they have an understanding of the profession, and are advised to gain work-shadowing or similar experience before the course starts.
English language support
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
English Language Requirement
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section.
How to apply
Read more about postgraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333