Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
A varied and exciting career, with plenty of demand in the market for talented graduates.
As we create new buildings, we also need to manage existing ones better.
Building surveyors provide a portfolio of professional services to a range of professionals and clients in the property and construction industry.
These include the development of property and project management, legal and technical advice, building surveys and reports, defect diagnosis and conservation, as well as design solutions for new build and refurbishment schemes.
It's a varied and exciting career, with plenty of demand in the market for talented graduates.
BSc(Hons) Building Surveying (with Foundation Year) is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Covering aspects of design, construction and project management though 'real life' scenarios for residential and commercial buildings, the course is designed to give you the balance of academic and vocational knowledge employers seek.
Stay up to date on the latest developments, such as advancements in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its importance in a changing industry.
Be at the forefront of the drive for a sustainable future by learning how to develop property and adapt, convert and reinvigorate existing buildings of residential, commercial and historic interest.
Get an insight into the surveyor's role within the construction and property industries. Learn through site visits, guest speakers and hands-on activities. Take a year's placement to enhance your employment prospects.
Our tutors come from both academia and practice. They provide real-life examples and show you how to put theory into context. They're also dedicated to helping you become a highly skilled graduate that employers will value.
Our graduates have consistently high employment rates. We see them going into careers at every stage of the building lifecycle.
They find jobs in the private and public sectors; with housing associations, property developers, construction companies, local authorities and heritage locations.
Watch graduate Henry Thomas' video to see how his degree led to a job with Kendall Kingscott.
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
You normally need to pass your foundation year before going into year one.
You'll study:
You'll study:
If you study on the five year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two. You'll complete a placement learning module during this time.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
Plus one optional module from (if you haven't completed a placement):
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.
This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different.
The team provide a friendly, collaborative environment for learning. Teaching methods vary according to modules but you'll mostly learn through lectures and tutorials. These include lab sessions for developing your computer-aided design (CAD) skills.
Get hands-on experience gathering survey information and using the results to draw up proposals.
Attend guest lectures from industry professionals who cover topics like surveying techniques using the latest IT techniques, heritage issues, asbestos and component manufacture.
Learn the basic principles and foundation knowledge of building surveying. Apply the knowledge and skills you learn to real-life scenarios and situations.
Test your learning through a work-based research project on your placement, or through studying the Collaborative Practice module that brings together students of multiple disciplines.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 27% | 73% | 0% |
| 1 | 26% | 74% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 20% | 80% | 0% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
In your final year, showcase your work to prospective employers and the public at the annual degree show.
Lectures, workshops, seminars, group project work and tutoring make up 12 hours of contact time each week. We expect you to spend at least another 24 hours studying independently.
You should expect mix of coursework and exams, which assess what you know and can do and help you develop the confidence and skills that employers value.
Coursework may include essays, reports, skills portfolios, lab reports, presentations and projects. In Final year you'll complete a dissertation.
While most coursework involves individual submissions, some modules require teamwork.
Learn more about assessments.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 38% | 57% | 5% |
| 1 | 38% | 56% | 6% |
| 2 | 47% | 53% | 0% |
| 3 | 25% | 72% | 3% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
UWE Bristol also holds Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Accredited Centre Status during the period 2022-2027 and this course is CIOB Accredited during the period 2022-2027, having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework. Prospective members holding these qualifications have full academic exemption and once they have gained three to five years' relevant work experience may enter CIOB membership as an applicant to progress towards Chartered Membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
Our students secure placements and sponsorships from a variety of organisations, including our partner employers. Many are offered jobs when they complete their studies.
Placement students have worked on conservation and renovation projects in Buckingham Palace and large scale refurbishment projects for commercial and residential properties.
Our partners also run a final year Job Bootcamp, helping you develop your CV and improve your presentation and interview skills.
You'll get help to find your placement and support throughout from College staff and our award-winning careers service.
Field trips enhance your knowledge and allow you to see concepts put into practice.
Site visits increase your familiarity with environments you could come across in your future career.
Past visits include:
Our links with key employers such as Atkins, Kendall Kingscott and WSP mean that you'll graduate with a clear understanding of what employers want and what opportunities exist.
This course sets you up for a variety of roles in a range of careers at each stage of the building lifecycle.
At the planning and construction stages, you might work as a project manager, building surveying consultant or contract admin.
At the building management stage, opportunities include conservation officer and facilities manager.
Potential employers range from property developers, construction companies and private practices, to housing associations, local authorities and heritage locations.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
You can choose from a wide range of careers in a variety of roles at each stage of the building lifecycle on completing the course.
At the planning and construction stages, you might work as a design consultant, building services engineer or town planner. At the building management stage, opportunities include conservation officer and property manager. Potential employers range from property developers, construction companies and private practices, to housing associations, local authorities and heritage locations.
Thanks to our ongoing links with key employers such as Atkins, Kendall Kingscott and Parsons-Brinkerhoff, you will also get the chance to learn more about what employers want and what opportunities exist.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on. Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the five year course and then transfer to the four year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee. These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
If you exceed the entry requirements you may be eligible for BSc(Hons) Building Surveying.
International Applicants
If you are an international student your recommended route of study for this degree is through our International College, which upon successful completion to the required level and with good attendance, guarantees entry to Year one of the degree.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
UK applicants
Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
International/EU applicants
International@uwe.ac.uk
UK applicants
+44 (0)117 32 83333
International/EU applicants
+44 (0)117 32 86644