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With BSc Building Surveying you will analyse building performance and material lifecycles to establish the cause and effect of building defects.
This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in building surveying. You will benefit from the Department's strong links with industry and the surveying profession.
Additionally, the degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building. (Accreditation is reviewed periodically. Successful completion of courses accredited by CIOB and RICS satisfies the academic requirements for membership of CIOB and RICS.) As with all of our surveying and construction courses, the programme structure provides an opportunity to explore a range of construction-related disciplines prior to specialising in the final year. You will be able to transfer onto other courses, such as BSc Quantity Surveying or BSc Construction Management, at the end of your second year if you wish to do so. A particular emphasis is placed on transferable skills and University of Reading graduates are renowned for rapid progression to senior positions within professional firms.
The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research impact in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked By Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014). Many members of staff within the School are active in research and consultancy. This ensures that the course reflects not only the very best of current practice, but also the latest developments in areas such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainability.
Your first two years are designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disciplines which underpin construction management and the surveying professions. This will include subjects such as economics, law, professional practice and building technology. Recurring themes throughout the course include the application of digital technologies, extending from working with hand-held tablets to the use of aerial drones for roof surveys. There is an especially strong focus on project work and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent projects have included a school in the Gambia and another in Malawi. Furthermore, we place a strong focus on employability and you will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals throughout the course.
You will also be encouraged to take up a placement over the summer between your second and final years, for which you will gain credits which contribute towards your degree. Additionally, there is an option to spend a year in industry, in the UK or abroad. (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines.)
The final year of the BSc Building Surveying course is designed to develop the technical and practical skills needed for the inspection and analysis of buildings. You will also complete a dissertation on a research topic of your choice and a building surveying project, in which you will survey a building in need of repair and refurbishment and will produce a viable recommendation of proposed work for a client. Additionally you can explore areas of interest through optional modules on subjects such as green innovation, historic built environments, construction contract law, and modern languages.
Placements
Between your second and final year you can carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year or a shorter period. This experience not only provides you with an insight into industry, but is also a valuable opportunity to get to know a range of industry professionals.
Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and sometimes take place abroad in locations such as the USA, the Far East or the Caribbean. Firms offering places to our students in the past include Deloitte, Faithful and Gould, Lambert Smith Hampton, Rider Levett Bucknall, and Savills.
You will be given advice and support in finding the ideal placement, writing a CV and interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines).
For more information, please visit the School of Construction Management and Engineering's website.
Overview
This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in building surveying. You will benefit from the Department's strong links with industry and the surveying profession.
Additionally, the degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building. (Accreditation is reviewed periodically. Successful completion of courses accredited by CIOB and RICS satisfies the academic requirements for membership of CIOB and RICS.) As with all of our surveying and construction courses, the programme structure provides an opportunity to explore a range of construction-related disciplines prior to specialising in the final year. You will be able to transfer onto other courses, such as BSc Quantity Surveying or BSc Construction Management, at the end of your second year if you wish to do so. A particular emphasis is placed on transferable skills and University of Reading graduates are renowned for rapid progression to senior positions within professional firms.
The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research impact in Architecture, Built Environment and Planning. (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked By Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014). Many members of staff within the School are active in research and consultancy. This ensures that the course reflects not only the very best of current practice, but also the latest developments in areas such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainability.
Your first two years are designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disciplines which underpin construction management and the surveying professions. This will include subjects such as economics, law, professional practice and building technology. Recurring themes throughout the course include the application of digital technologies, extending from working with hand-held tablets to the use of aerial drones for roof surveys. There is an especially strong focus on project work and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent projects have included a school in the Gambia and another in Malawi. Furthermore, we place a strong focus on employability and you will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals throughout the course.
You will also be encouraged to take up a placement over the summer between your second and final years, for which you will gain credits which contribute towards your degree. Additionally, there is an option to spend a year in industry, in the UK or abroad. (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines.)
The final year of the BSc Building Surveying course is designed to develop the technical and practical skills needed for the inspection and analysis of buildings. You will also complete a dissertation on a research topic of your choice and a building surveying project, in which you will survey a building in need of repair and refurbishment and will produce a viable recommendation of proposed work for a client. Additionally you can explore areas of interest through optional modules on subjects such as green innovation, historic built environments, construction contract law, and modern languages.
Placements
Between your second and final year you can carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year or a shorter period. This experience not only provides you with an insight into industry, but is also a valuable opportunity to get to know a range of industry professionals.
Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and sometimes take place abroad in locations such as the USA, the Far East or the Caribbean. Firms offering places to our students in the past include Deloitte, Faithful and Gould, Lambert Smith Hampton, Rider Levett Bucknall, and Savills.
You will be given advice and support in finding the ideal placement, writing a CV and interview skills, by our dedicated placements officer (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines).
For more information, please visit the School of Construction Management and Engineering's website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we will guarantee you a place if you achieve one grade lower than the published offer.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
BTEC National Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC103 | Economics for Construction & Engineering | DR Maria Asensio |
CE1CES | Empirical Studies | DR Timothy Lees |
CE1CCT | Construction Technology | DR Tabarak Ballal |
CE1CCS | Construction Science | DR Mehdi Shahrestani |
CE1CIC2 | Information and Communication | DR Ruth Dowsett |
CE1CMP | Principles of Management | DR Colm Lundrigan |
CE1CSE | Construction Site Engineering | DR Graeme Larsen |
CE1CPR | Projects | DR Eugene Mohareb |
LW1A05 | General Introduction to Law | MR Peter Coe |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CE2CSL | Construction Statutory Law | DR Ronan Champion |
CE2QCT | Introduction to Quantification and Computerised Taking Off | DR Lawrence Mbugua |
CE2CPT | Construction Procurement | DR Tabarak Ballal |
CE2BES1 | Building Environment Systems | DR Zhiwen Luo |
CE2CBT1 | Building Technology | DR Philippa Boyd |
CE2CBP | Building Pathology | MR Adrian Tagg |
CE2CCL2 | Construction Contract Law | DR Ronan Champion |
CE2CCE | Construction Economics | DR Martin Green |
CE2CMB | Management in the Built Environment | DR Shabnam Kabiri |
CE2CRS | Research Skills | DR Ian Ewart |
CE2CPR | Projects | DR Tabarak Ballal |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CE3CCD | Dissertation | DR Michael Peters |
CE3CBP | Building Surveying Projects | MR Adrian Tagg |
CE3CSP | Commercial Surveying Practices and Advanced Building Pathology | MR Adrian Tagg |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
CE3CME | Management of Construction Projects | DR Graeme Larsen |
CE3CIE | Inclusive Environments | MR Adrian Tagg |
CE3CHS | Health and Safety Management and Culture in Construction | DR Dylan Tutt |
CE3CIC | International Construction | PROF Roger Flanagan |
CE3CDT | Digital Technology Use in Construction | DR Dragana Nikolic |
CE3CCX | Career Development | MR Adrian Tagg |
CE3CCM | Construction Contract Management | DR Ronan Champion |
CE3CBM | Business Organisation and Management | DR Colm Lundrigan |
CE3CS1 | Sustainability | DR Katherine Hyde |
CE3CQC | Quantification & Costing | DR Lawrence Mbugua |
CE3GIC | Green Innovation in Construction | DR Shu-Ling Lu |
CE3HBE | Historic Built Environment | MR Henry Russell |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
* UK and EU Fee Changes
Subject to the Government passing legislation to raise the minimum fee cap, we will raise undergraduate tuition fees from £9,000 to £9,250 for new UK/EU students applying to start courses in the 2017/18 academic year. You will not be affected by this rise if you have deferred entry to the 2017/18 academic year. The Government will confirm future arrangements for EU students in due course.
The tuition fee will remain £9,000 per year for the full duration of this course if you start in the 2016/17 academic year or have accepted an offer but deferred your entry until the 2017/18 academic year. This is unlike other institutions who are planning to raise fees midway through courses.
For further information, please see our webpage on the Teaching Excellence Framework and future tuition fees.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
After graduation you will be well-placed to move into either consultancy or contracting. The vast majority of our graduates move into careers in building surveying, although some choose to move into other roles within or related to construction such as quantity surveying, project management or estate management. Alternatively, you can choose to move on to postgraduate study.
96% of the School of the Built Environment’s undergraduate students in work or study 15 months after the end of their course [1].
[1] Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18; First Degree responders from Construction Management and Engineering.