MSc Quantity Surveying
Available in London and Glasgow
Capable professionals with skills in commercial management and quantity surveying are always in high demand in the construction industry. With these valuable skills, you'll play an essential role in managing costs for construction projects in the UK and overseas.
GCU's MSc Quantity Surveying is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The programme is available at both the London and Glasgow campuses for full-time, part-time and distance learning.
The curriculum is practical and career-focused, making you a more competitive candidate for leadership roles in construction.
- Expand your frame of reference and your understanding of construction economics and project management
- Explore topics like risk and value management, quantification and costing of work, financial management and construction economics
- Investigate sustainable design and construction
- Learn how to handle construction contracts and disputes
- Connect your expertise to the real world with industrial case studies
- Complete a dissertation to integrate your knowledge and develop subject expertise
As the University for the Common Good, GCU's community emphasises real ways to make a positive impact. We work hard to excel at what we do so we can drive change in our communities and in our world. We're doers and builders. We hope when you graduate, you'll take that spirit with you, no matter where you go.
As a construction professional, you'll help build cities, businesses and homes; you also have the power to build the common good.
Graduate prospects
The MSc Quantity Surveying degree will prepare you for a surveying profession at a strategic level. You'll find employment in areas such as project management and economics, dispute resolution and international construction.
The programme utilises a range of new and proven modules designed to enhance the skills set of construction professionals. It provides students with an opportunity to develop their abilities, frame of reference and a common understanding of construction economics and project management to work more effectively within industry. Choose from a range of potential electives that reinforce the professional requirements of the modern construction industry and help develop competencies in a range of appropriate specialist areas.
Construction Contract and Disputes
Examine the legal and contractual issues involved with projects; focusing on the critical appraisal and application of contract administration for construction projects. This includes the analysis and evaluation of approaches to the selection of appropriate procurement strategies for international construction projects. The module also considers how failures have occurred in respect to conflict in construction and proceeds to discuss methods for the management of conflict and the means of resolving disputes, from an international perspective.
Construction Economics and Procurement
Gain a full conceptual understanding of the economics of the construction industry. The module also focuses on the interaction between the national economy and the construction sector including the forecasting of construction demand. It will also cover the microeconomic issues including supply chain management.
Construction Financial Management
Provides an understanding of financial management within the wider construction industry and how this can be affected through cyclical trends. All aspects of the financial management of construction projects are considered, with particular attention paid to capital investment decisions and cash flow management.
Development and Project Economics
The management of projects from a commercial perspective, that is, the economic appraisal of projects.
Quantification and Costing of Works
Core competencies for the quantity surveyor. The module examines the measurement and quantification of construction works using a range of measurement methods. It also examines estimating and pricing methods of construction works based upon a variety of information.
Risk and Value Management
The management of risk on international construction projects including methodologies for risk identification, analysis, acceptance and transfer - vital elements to the success of a project - using hypothetical and live projects to place the topic in context.
Sustainable Design and Construction
Core construction technology competencies related to sustainability for the quantity surveyor. Providing students with knowledge and understanding of the principles of sustainable design and construction; and introduces the main requirements, technologies, tools, methods, processes and systems required to develop a sustainable building.
International Construction Project Finance
The financial management from bid preparation to contract financing, with particular emphasis on capital investment decisions and cash flow management, all within the context of international construction projects.
Project Management
Project management concepts, the roles and responsibilities of project managers and organisational structures within which project management operates.
Masters Dissertation
An opportunity to undertake an in-depth investigation, with a strong emphasis on originality and analysis.
Download the Programme Specification for a detailed breakdown of its structure, what you will learn and other useful information.
Study Options
- 2020/21
All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.
Entry requirements
UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in any subject.
English language
Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.
Please note: if you are from a majority English speaking country, you may not be required to provide further proof of your English Language proficiency.
Additional information
Other academic and vocational qualifications
Each application to GCU is considered on an individual basis. If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning scheme.
International pathways
International students who do not meet the academic requirements may be eligible for the Pre-Masters programme at INTO Glasgow at our Glasgow campus. Successful completion of this INTO course with the required grades means guaranteed conditional offer of a place on the degree programme at GCU London.
If you do not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible for our pre-sessional English programme which is taught at our London campus.
Join GCU in September 2020
We are looking forward to welcoming you to what will be a great new academic year at GCU and we hope you choose this as your study destination. Your experience as an applicant and new student remains our priority. We will be doing everything we can to make sure you enjoy learning through our blended approach of online and face-to-face teaching and to give you as many opportunities to create new friendships and experience everything the GCU community has to offer you!
The health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff will continue to be our highest priority as rules around social distancing are eased. For more information on the things what you can expect from your first term at GCU, visit our Frequently Asked Questions pages or make an enquiry today.
The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?
Tuition fees 2020/21
Home (including Scotland and Europe): £8,700
International (outside Europe): £13,500
Part-time and distance-learning tuition fees
For details of part-time and distance-learning fee rates, please make an enquiry today.
Fees are subject to change and published here for guidance only. Fees and refund policy.
Additional costs
As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of. View additional costs
Scholarships
We provide high-quality education for a fair price; as the University for the Common Good, we are committed to offering accessible higher education for talented students by keeping our tuition fees low and providing a generous scholarship package of over £2 million per year.
In partnership with HM Forces, GCU has identified this programme is being particularly suited to military and ex-military men and women. Visit the HM Forces Careers Zone for more information on the services we provide.
The programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Combination of exams, coursework, online discussions and a presentation. The university has a policy of using the Blackboard web-based virtual learning environment to complement face-to-face tuition.