Quantity Surveying PgDip / MSc

Modules

The postgraduate modules cover project appraisal, methods for financing and procuring construction work and financial management of the design and construction process. There is also a module that develops understanding of the construction industry from an economic perspective and a module on construction contract law.

You also select one option from a wide selection of modules that are offered to all our postgraduate students. In order to complete the MSc stage, students are required to take a research methods module and undertake a major dissertation on a topic approved by their supervisor.

• Institutional and legal context for construction
  This module examines the relationship between ethics and the law, and introduces the sources of and basic rules of UK law, including common law and statute law as it affects construction professionals. It provides an introduction to construction contract law, tort and restitution. It explains the difference between common law and equity and its relevance to construction professionals.
• Construction
  This module is intended to provide a broad and critical perspective of the construction and assembly of buildings and their performance requirements and also to provide an understanding of the context in which construction decisions are made and implemented.
• Measurement, documentation and estimating
  This module introduces students to documentation used for tendering in the construction industry and the techniques used to measure and specify construction work and produce estimates and tenders.
• Project evaluation
  This module focuses on the range of techniques used by construction professionals to appraise and manage cost and value in construction projects.
• Construction contract administration
  This module introduces the student to key elements of contract administration applied to the roles of contract administrators, quantity surveyors and commercial managers.
• Construction law
  This module examines the various types of construction contracts, including families of standard construction contracts, and the common law, legislation and administrative procedures, which govern them. It provides a working knowledge and understanding of construction contract legal problems, and related applicable law, such as non-contractual liabilities. It examines when a dispute arises in legal terms, and how dispute resolution methods may be employed to resolve problems and disputes.
• Procurement and management of construction
  This module focuses on developing an awareness of the issues which need to be considered when deciding how to procure and manage construction projects.
• Economics and finance for construction
  This module uses some analytic tools from economics and finance (and management) in broad discussion of construction markets and construction firms. The nature of construction projects is identified and their demand is considered in national and international contexts. Attention is also focused on the production process of construction products and current debates within the industry regarding project-based industries. The main principles of corporate finance will be considered in the analysis of the firms' performance while international construction, innovation, and entrepreneurship topics will provide a bigger insight to the dynamics of this industry.
• Dissertation
  The module provides the opportunity for students to undertake an independent piece of research, investigating in depth a subject, in which, they have a particular interest and of their own selection. Each student will submit a dissertation of between 15,000- 20,000 words. The module includes teaching of research methods.

Options modules

Please be aware that option selection is subject to availability.

• Behavioural finance
  The module develops a comprehensive understanding of the decision-making process in any real estate decision and it transition mechanism to market prices.
• Building control
  The module focuses upon the control and enforcement of the Building Regulations and associated legislation, along with supporting technical documents and alternative solutions, to meet specific regulative requirements as they apply to various building schemes.
• Building information modelling and collaborative working
  A module to provide a general understanding of the role that BIM can play throughout the design, construction and operation of building assets. It looks to identify and develop the necessary managerial, technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver better value through a collaborative BIM approach.
• Health and safety management in construction
  This module focuses on the management of safety on site – a process that can be applied to a wide range of work settings and project types.
• History of architecture and construction
  This module examines the inter-relationship between building design and production as it occurred throughout historical time. Particular attention will be paid to those periods in history when major transformations occurred in architectural style and the building process. Other historical themes will also be pursued.
• International real estate and construction
  This module introduces students to the international context of real estate markets, construction industry and project development. It specifically focuses on the activity of international real estate investors and large construction companies. The module also provides students a comparative perspective on real estate markets and construction process.
• Legal resolution of property and construction disputes
  This module focuses on the range of dispute resolution techniques used by construction and property professionals to resolve and manage disputes in the construction and property industries.

Structure of the qualification Module structure - full-time Semester 1 Semester 2 Measurement, Documentation and Estimating Construction Law Construction Construction Contract Administration Institutional and Legal Context for Construction Economics and Finance for Construction Project Evaluation Procurement and Management of Construction Option Dissertation Module structure - part-time (Year 1) Semester 1 Semester 2 Measurement, Documentation and Estimating Construction Law Construction Construction Contract Administration Institutional and Legal Context for Construction Module structure - part-time (Year 2 and 3) Semester 1 Semester 2 Procurement and Management of Construction Project Evaluation Economics and Finance for Construction Option Year 3 Dissertation