Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying MSc/Diploma

The need for quantity surveyors is vital for the efficient financial management of construction projects. The Quanitity Surveying programme at Heriot-Watt is designed using principles that are applicable in many quantity surveying and financial management industrial sectors. The degree provides students with a solid theoretical base coupled with current and future approaches to practical quantity surveying practice.

As a partner university of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Heriot-Watt University is instrumental in meeting the educational needs by building on students' previous education and experience to prepare them for the demands of the profession.

Please note the Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying programme has replaced our Quantity Surveying programme.

The MSc is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Students in relevant structured employment whilst studying on the programme may register for the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and work towards obtaining their relevant competencies.

On successful completion of the MSc in Quantity Surveying graduates may then complete their RICS membership and on successful completion of the APC will achieve full chartered status.

Our students are recruited by international construction and quantity surveying practices and graduates develop careers across many sectors of industry and commerce.

Whatever your career aspirations are for the future, i.e. to be involved in the mega-projects of international reputation or to provide expertise in sustainable cost savings or present cost advice on the development and use of innovate building technologies and material components or to run your own organisation; the skills and knowledge delivered in the MSc Quantity Surveying programme provide the fundamental competencies to take you on your own individual career path.

The Quantity Surveying programme focuses on industrial relevance, ensuring that graduates are quickly able to make a positive and effective contribution to the success of their working environment, and the development of their own professional careers. The programme is taught using principles that are applicable in many quantity surveying and financial management industrial sectors.

This programme can be studied full-time, part-time or via Independent Distance Learning (IDL), ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around work or family. As an IDL student you will not be required to attend any lectures, tutorials or other events at any of Heriot-Watt University’s campuses.

*An IDL programme - whether at PgDip or MSc level - can be completed in a minimum of 2 years. On average, our PgDip programmes studied via IDL are completed in 2-3 years, while MSc programmes are completed in 2.5-7 years. Most students intend to complete their studies via IDL within 2-3 years.

This programme is delivered by the Royal Academy of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Design. This is one of four such Centres established at UK universities that jointly form a national network to demonstrate and exchange best practice in teaching and research for the sustainable built environment.

The Centre has excellent industry links. Staff within the Institute are actively engaged in a variety of research projects relating to building design, specification, management and operation.