Overview

Built for surveying

Building Surveyors have been described as the ‘jack-of-all-trades’ of the built environment. From building maintenance and sustainable retrofitting to project management and design, these multi-skilled professionals have the knowledge to provide advice and utilise their expertise on issues across every stage of the building lifecycle. Their careers are diverse, where no two projects are the same and every day provides new challenges to overcome.

On UCEM’s fully online and internationally recognised BSc (Hons) Building Surveying programme, you’ll develop the skills and understanding that make this one of the most valued and recognised professions in the built environment. Your combination of technical knowledge and professionalism will lead to a varied, engaging career full of opportunities. If you want a continuously challenging and rewarding career, this is the programme for you.

About this degree

Programme details

This programme will give you a foothold in one of most diverse professions in the sector. As such, you’ll be exposed to a wide range of specialisms, practices and subject areas across design, law, construction, technology, economics, conservation, environmental science and project management. The knowledge and literacy you’ll develop will make you a valued and recognised contributor on a variety of construction projects across each stage of the building lifecycle.

Course accreditations

Structure

Modules you will study

If you choose the part-time route, you will study 18 modules across 4.5 years.

Autumn

Year 1

Introduction to the Built Environment 1

Appreciate how legal, political and social issues shape our sector and its role in the economy. Understand the project lifecycle and the RIBA Plan of Work. Identify the industry’s stakeholders and professions and your chosen profession’s key responsibilities in meeting client objectives.

Introduction to Sustainability

Explore the causes of climate change and the challenges of sustainable development, with particular focus on the construction and property sector. Examine the relationship between property and the environment along with the criteria used to measure sustainability in relation to finished construction projects.

Professional and Business Practice

Gain an understanding of the organisational structures within the sector. Appreciate the role of business planning and the accounting concepts that support decision making. Consider the importance and benefits of client management, professionalism, ethical practice and diversity in the workforce.

Construction Technology 1

Establish a foundation knowledge of buildings, the environment and technology, also considering them from a sustainability perspective. Develop your communication skills and construction literacy with real-world examples of construction projects, including traditional masonry and roof construction.

Year 2

Introduction to Regulatory and Built Environment Law

Dive into the legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the construction and property sector, along with the legal environment in the context of planning, design and occupation and health and safety as it relates to both design and construction activity.

Introduction to the Built Environment 2

Gain familiarity with your chosen discipline and develop basic discipline specific knowledge and skills. Undertake a discipline specific task that will develop your understanding of client’s objectives, industry sources of information and the benefits of collaborative practice.

Construction Technology 2

The relationship between a building’s design, environment and occupants is complex. With the overarching theme of human comfort, break down the individual factors – heat, air moisture sound and light within these aspects of a building, and how each of these factors affect one another, in the context of domestic or office environments.

Project and Contract Administration

Understanding the principles and practices associated with standard forms of construction contracts. Focusing on Building Surveying Practice, gain insight into the factors that influence contract selection and develop a holistic view of your responsibilities in ensuring effective contract execution.

Year 3

Building Control

Explore the core competencies of building control you’ll need to become a member of relevant professional bodies. Examine requirements for site inspections of building work, with reference to legislation like the Building Safety Act 2022, and apply these standards to different scenarios.

Building Pathology and Conservation Principles

Build an understanding of building pathology – the study of building decay, defects and performance failure. Develop your ability to effectively diagnose and evaluate a range of common building defects through inspection, testing, survey and analysis.

Design and Environmental Science

The relationship between a building’s design, environment and occupants is complex. With the overarching theme of human comfort, break down the individual factors – heat, air moisture sound and light within these aspects of a building, and how each of these factors affect one another, in the context of domestic or office environments.

Commercial Building Pathology

Analyse building pathology and surveying technologies in the context of commercial structures. Identify, examine and provide technical solutions to key defects in commercial buildings. Understand the role of technology and information management as they apply to building surveying services.

Year 4

Research Proposal

Develop specific research skills and techniques that allow you to investigate issues and situations related to your area of interest, and apply these to an industry-related problem. Gain analytical skills and learn techniques that will directly enhance your employability skills.

Project Management in the Built Environment

Gain an understanding of the project management services provided by a building surveyor, including management, procurement, planning and programming, risk management and conflict avoidance.

Building Surveying and Maintenance Practice

Explore building surveying practice and enhance your ability to recognise, analyse and remedy building maintenance issues, so that you can provide professional advice regarding different types of surveys, and maintenance and building adaptation.

Professional Building Surveying Practice

Explore the practice of professional building surveying, and develop your understanding in the fields of professional ethics, neighbour and boundary matters, dilapidations, and some international roles, regulations, and codes.

Year 5

Fire Safety

Fire safety is a key competency in the industry . Study the nature of fire, the relevant regulations and standards, methods of protection and means of escape in relation to domestic and commercial buildings.

Contemporary Issues Case Study

Establish an up-to-date understanding of the developments, issues and arguments that dominate contemporary debate and policy making within the built environment, and formulate your own line of enquiry and analysis, informed by your own critical review.

Structure details

The module structure above is indicative for those beginning their studies in the autumn. For further information about programme content, or to see how modules are structured for those starting in spring, you can view the full programme specification which sets out aims, intended learning outcomes and assessment methods.

If you are looking to study this programme on the full-time route, the module table will vary. You can find more information on this by getting in touch with our knowledgeable Admissions Team.

For further information on modules view our module descriptors. Please note that modules are subject to change.

Programme leader

Programme leader

Nicola Allen

MSc AssocRICS ACABE

Nicola Allen is a Building Surveyor and trained at the University of the West of England. Nicola is an Associate member of the RICS and is associate member of the Institution of Fire Engineers and Chartered Association of Building Engineers.

Recent experience in Higher Education academic teaching at UCEM and previously at Birmingham City University delivering teaching sessions and modules on a number of Building Surveying and Built Environment related modules.

Meet Nicola

Introduction Webinar

Join lecturer Nicola Allen in her programme introduction webinar. Here you can learn more about UCEM, online study and the course, and ask any questions you may have.

Lecturer Appointment

Ideal for those who have already attended the introduction webinar, this is a great opportunity to ask your specific questions to the lecturer one-to-one.

Online learning

The future of study

1 2 3 4 5

Flexible study

Balance your study, work and home commitments, all while working towards your career goals

e-Library access

Full access to a comprehensive and valuable e-library with a wealth of resources to support your studies

Interactive

Study using a diverse range of interactive, modern and dynamic learning resources

Expert-led

Learning activities that have been designed by UCEM tutors and subject matter experts

Stay connected

Learn alongside a diverse community of students from all over the world

Time commitment and study breakdown

Studying two modules per semester requires an expected time commitment of 15-20 hours per week. If you study only one module per semester, the weekly time commitment will be less, depending on the module’s credit size. Most modules are typically 20 credits.

45

Directed study time (%)

25

Self-directed study time (%)

30

Assessment study time (%)

Careers

Where can it take you?

This RICS accredited degree is recognised worldwide, meaning your employment opportunities aren’t confined to the city or even the country you live in. With such a broad range of technical, problem-solving and communicative skills, you’ll find a variety of career pathways, including:

  • Building surveying
  • Project management
  • Restoration and conservation
  • Commercial and residential sectors
Case Studies Slide 2
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Applications

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