Mode of Study
Full-time, Part-timeDuration
12 months full-time (September start), 16 months full-time (January start), 24 months part-time (September start), 28 months part-time (January start)Start date
September 2023, January 2024Accredited
Yes
Overview
Work towards being a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with this RICS-accredited Master's course. You'll build your skills in efficient construction, law and financial management, while proving you meet a globally recognised standard in quantity surveying.
You'll be studying with an academic team of experts drawn from the breadth of the construction industry, in a university that's been delivering courses to the property sector for over 50 years. Our Professional Advisory Board, chaired by a past president of RICS, keeps your learning relevant to the needs and best practices of the industry.
As a successful graduate, you'll be set to follow many of our past students into senior positions in the construction industry, with all the professional knowledge and confidence you need to build a career of your own.
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
Course highlights
- Pursue your Chartered Quantity Surveyor status on an established course recognised by RICS and by the industry
- Explore professional markets and environments with construction site visits and local case studies
- Grasp contemporary issues in the construction sector as you study with staff from a wide range of practice, including quantity surveyors, architects, project managers, construction lawyers and structural engineers
- Convert your undergraduate learning or industry experience into a professional qualification
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
What you'll study on this MSc Quantity Surveying degree course
Full-time
All modules on this MSc Quantity Surveying are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appreciate the mechanisms by which the law relevant to a construction professional is enacted and developed.
- Critically discuss the obligations most commonly imposed by law; those arising from statutory provisions, the contract or resulting from the negligence of the parties.
- Manage and apply contract principles to the regular matters which occur during the life of a project.
- Assess and evaluate contract principles and relevant case law relating to construction disputes and differences and assess the management needs resulting from these particular issues.
- Appraise the available dispute resolution methods and make an informed selection when faced with a contractual issue; recommend the most appropriate procedures and remedies available to the parties.
- Apply health and safety law to construction situations.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Summarise the principles of project management
- Apply and evaluate project management strategies
- Propose project management strategies to suit different project scenarios
- Critically discuss the relationship between health and safety management and general management and the importance of a positive health and safety culture
- Evaluate the importance of the CDM regulations and assess their impact on anticipating risks and the proactive management of health and safety within the UK construction industry
- Critically review and discuss the methods by which common health and safety risks can be controlled
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the technical criteria applicable to the design of a building
- Critique the impact of legislation, innovative materials and best practice guidance on the design and construction of buildings
- Discriminate between sustainable development strategies relating to technical decision-making in building construction projects
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate appropriate estimating and measurement techniques during the life cycle of a project
- Interpret drawn information and transfer this into recorded dimensions using traditional measurement techniques and conventions and a standard method of measurement
- Appraise the importance of using IT to expedite tasks in estimating, measurement, and tender documentation
- Interpret documentation and prepare appropriate written responses
- Prepare draft tender documentation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse project and client issues in order to apply and advise of appropriate estimating, procurement and contractual routes and be able to justify chosen solutions
- Evaluate economic theory and apply that theory in order to critically discuss changes in property markets and thus evaluate the effects which economic policy may have on property development and management
- Summarise the relationship between project specifics, design variables or design solutions and their impact on cost through the life of the project
- Critically discuss the relationship of post-contract functions to specific contractual obligations. Manage the contractual and financial obligations between contractual parties.
- Assess the risk distribution between client, main and sub-contractor relationships for typical procurement routes
- Formulate valuations, variations and final accounts using standard pro-formas in accordance with recognised convention and to operate appropriate mechanisms for the pricing and assessment of variations
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess the range of data required in order to undertake a construction project and make informed and balanced decisions based on critical appraisal of options
- Plan, investigate and execute a development design, based on a brief
- Communicate and defend the design and development of a scheme using professional communication techniques, as part of a team
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appraise and evaluate key research tools and techniques
- Organise library searches effectively to identify key source material and review such material to establish a well-informed context for the project and appropriate justification for the topic
- Assemble a viable research methodology, recognising the quantitative and/or qualitative elements that are generic to such methodologies. Classify, analyse and develop the facts, principles and theories relevant to the project and apply them so as to present and justify an innovative solution or design, often in areas where information and practice are undeveloped
- Recognise and discuss any ethical considerations presented by the proposed project and formulate transparent procedures to protect participants and environments
- Analyse and synthesise the data collected to draw appropriate qualified conclusions linked to objectives set within research design
- Organise and plan work independently on a topic over an extended time frame and report progress regularly and effectively to a supervisor
Part-time
All modules on this MSc Quantity Surveying are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Critically evaluate the technical criteria applicable to the design of a building
- Critique the impact of legislation, innovative materials and best practice guidance on the design and construction of buildings
- Discriminate between sustainable development strategies relating to technical decision-making in building construction projects
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate appropriate estimating and measurement techniques during the life cycle of a project
- Interpret drawn information and transfer this into recorded dimensions using traditional measurement techniques and conventions and a standard method of measurement
- Appraise the importance of using IT to expedite tasks in estimating, measurement, and tender documentation
- Interpret documentation and prepare appropriate written responses
- Prepare draft tender documentation
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse project and client issues in order to apply and advise of appropriate estimating, procurement and contractual routes and be able to justify chosen solutions
- Evaluate economic theory and apply that theory in order to critically discuss changes in property markets and thus evaluate the effects which economic policy may have on property development and management
- Summarise the relationship between project specifics, design variables or design solutions and their impact on cost through the life of the project
- Critically discuss the relationship of post-contract functions to specific contractual obligations. Manage the contractual and financial obligations between contractual parties.
- Assess the risk distribution between client, main and sub-contractor relationships for typical procurement routes
- Formulate valuations, variations and final accounts using standard pro-formas in accordance with recognised convention and to operate appropriate mechanisms for the pricing and assessment of variations
All modules on this MSc Quantity Surveying are core.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appreciate the mechanisms by which the law relevant to a construction professional is enacted and developed.
- Critically discuss the obligations most commonly imposed by law; those arising from statutory provisions, the contract or resulting from the negligence of the parties.
- Manage and apply contract principles to the regular matters which occur during the life of a project.
- Assess and evaluate contract principles and relevant case law relating to construction disputes and differences and assess the management needs resulting from these particular issues.
- Appraise the available dispute resolution methods and make an informed selection when faced with a contractual issue; recommend the most appropriate procedures and remedies available to the parties.
- Apply health and safety law to construction situations.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Summarise the principles of project management
- Apply and evaluate project management strategies
- Propose project management strategies to suit different project scenarios
- Critically discuss the relationship between health and safety management and general management and the importance of a positive health and safety culture
- Evaluate the importance of the CDM regulations and assess their impact on anticipating risks and the proactive management of health and safety within the UK construction industry
- Critically review and discuss the methods by which common health and safety risks can be controlled
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Assess the range of data required in order to undertake a construction project and make informed and balanced decisions based on critical appraisal of options
- Plan, investigate and execute a development design, based on a brief
- Communicate and defend the design and development of a scheme using professional communication techniques, as part of a team
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Appraise and evaluate key research tools and techniques
- Organise library searches effectively to identify key source material and review such material to establish a well-informed context for the project and appropriate justification for the topic
- Assemble a viable research methodology, recognising the quantitative and/or qualitative elements that are generic to such methodologies. Classify, analyse and develop the facts, principles and theories relevant to the project and apply them so as to present and justify an innovative solution or design, often in areas where information and practice are undeveloped
- Recognise and discuss any ethical considerations presented by the proposed project and formulate transparent procedures to protect participants and environments
- Analyse and synthesise the data collected to draw appropriate qualified conclusions linked to objectives set within research design
- Organise and plan work independently on a topic over an extended time frame and report progress regularly and effectively to a supervisor
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Careers and opportunities
Careers this Master’s prepares you for
As a successful graduate of this course, you'll have a RICS-recognised postgraduate qualification in quantity surveying on your CV, proving your expertise in the sector. This puts you on the path to chartership as a quantity surveyor, opening the way to careers in the construction and built environment sector.
You'll also have the interdisciplinary management skills, in areas like research, communication and flexibility, that careers in land and property are seeking.
Graduates have gone on to work with companies, including:
- CB Richard Ellis
- Davis Langdon, AECOM
- Faithful+Gould
- Gardiner & Theobald
- Gleeds
- Transport for London
- Turner & Townsend
- Mott MacDonald
- Skanska
- Local authorities, such as Portsmouth City Council, and bodies such as Housing Associations, the NHS, Ministry of Defence
Career planning
During your course you'll have expert careers advice from our Careers and Employability Centre, your tutors and our Student Placements and Employability Centre. You can access support from our Careers and Employability Centre for up to 5 years after you graduate.
Career support
You'll benefit from:
- Networking events
- Applied projects with companies such as IBM, Boeing and Hampshire County Council
- 1-to-1 appointments
- CV and cover letter advice
- Interview preparation and practice
- Workshops to enhance your employability skills
- Recruitment events including the Student and Graduate Opportunities Fair
- Support starting your own business
Facilities
Industry standard software packages
Use our suite of software tools to expedite traditional processes in construction measurement, planning and scheduling, thermal performance and Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Port-Eco House
Our Port-Eco House is a 3-bedroom property equipped with various monitoring systems, which measure everything from the efficiency of heating and insulation to dampness and exterior weather conditions.
How you'll spend your time
We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.
We'll give you as much indication here as we can of how much time you'll need to be on campus and how many hours you can expect to spend in self-directed study, but please note that these indications are always subject to change. You should receive your full timetable several weeks before you start with us.
Course structure
This Master's degree will take 12 months (full-time study) or 2 years (part-time study).
Full-time students should expect to have lectures 2 days a week, and part-time students should expect lectures 1 day a week. Typically, lectures will span the full day, with breaks between. We suggest that you allow 3 hours of independent study for each hour of lecture time.
In the last 3 months of the course you'll be focusing on your research project.
Teaching
Master's study is deeper and more specialised than an undergraduate degree. This means you'll focus on something that really matters to you and your career as you work closely with academics committed to the subject.
You'll spend more time in independent study and research than you did for your undergraduate degree, but the majority of your teaching time will be in-person and face-to-face.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- site visits
- field work
Assessment
You'll be assessed through:
- exams
- coursework
- dissertation project
Term dates
September start
The Master's academic year runs from September to the following September. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter. Over the summer you'll be writing your project / dissertation.
January start
Courses that start in January have the same amount of teaching as September-start courses, but they normally run over a longer time period.
January-start courses normally run between 14–18 months, beginning in January and ending in the spring / summer of the following year. There are breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the summer. In the last few months you’ll be writing your project / dissertation.
Joining us as an international student
You'll feel at home in our international community and our diverse city. You'll be joining over 5,000 international students from more than 150 countries who are studying with us.
Learn more about international student life and how we can help you with visas, applications, arrival and settling in.
Supporting your learning
Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study in one-on-one and group sessions.
They can help you:
- master the mathematics skills you need to excel on your course
- understand engineering principles and how to apply them in any engineering discipline
- solve computing problems relevant to your course
- develop your knowledge of computer programming concepts and methods relevant to your course
- understand and use assignment feedback
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees (September 2023 / January 2024 start)
All fees may be subject to annual increase.
January 2023 start
- Full-time: £8,100
- Part-time: £4,050 per year
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- Full-time: £8,500
- Part-time: £4,250 per year
January 2023 start
- Full-time: £8,100
- Part-time: £4,050 per year
These figures both include the Transition Scholarship for EU students.
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- Full-time: £19,200
- Part-time: £9,600 per year
January 2023 start
- Full-time: £18,300
- Part-time: £9,150 per year
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- Full-time: £19,200
- Part-time: £9,600 per year
University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount.
Fees are subject to annual increase. Read our tuition fees terms and conditions.
You'll be able to pay your fees in instalments. Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Funding your studies
Explore how to fund your studies, including available scholarships and bursaries.
If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.
If you're a UK student who achieved a first in your undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a £3,000 University of Portsmouth scholarship.
Loans, scholarships and bursaries
Browse funding such as the Government Postgraduate Loan, our scholarships for new and returning students, and subject specific loans.
Funding for international students
Learn more about sponsorships, scholarships and loans for students applying from outside of the UK.
Fees and funding for Master's courses
Discover how you can fund your Master's study at Portsmouth – including loans, scholarships and bursaries – and read our guidance on topics like how to budget, and how to get support if you're disabled or have dependents.
Additional costs
These course-related costs aren't included in the tuition fees, so you'll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. Additional costs could include:
- Accommodation: Accommodation options and costs can be found on our accommodation pages.
- Recommended reading: You can borrow key texts from the library and if you choose to purchase these texts they may cost up to £60 each.
- General costs: Such as photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing. We suggest budgeting £75 per year.
- Final project transport or accommodation: where necessary, which related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Read more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Entry requirements
Eligibility
This course accepts UK, EU, and International students.
September 2023 / January 2024 start
- A good honours degree or equivalent academic qualification in a technical or analytical discipline.
- Exceptionally, applicants from non-technical/analytical disciplines but with proven and substantiated experience in the property or construction fields will be considered.
Please get in touch if you're not sure if your undergraduate subject is relevant to this degree.
Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will also be considered, such as previous study, employment, voluntary work and training courses, including courses and qualifications you didn't complete. Learn more about our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
If you're applying as an international student with a non-UK degree, you’ll need to show you meet the UK entry requirements listed above.
To find out if your non-UK degree or other qualification is accepted, please visit our page for your country and view the UK equivalent of your qualification.
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 (or equivalent) with no component score below 5.5.
You do not need an IELTS or equivalent certification if:
- you have a UK degree
- you have a degree from a majority English-speaking country (not taught by Distance Learning)
- you are a national of a majority English-speaking country
Degrees taught solely in English from non-majority English-speaking countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Find out more about our English language requirements.
If you do not meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Apply
Unlike undergraduate applications, which go through UCAS, applications for this Master's course are made directly to us.
There's no deadline for applications to this course. We accept applications right up until the start dates in September and January, as long as there are places available. If you wait until your start month to apply, you may find that the course is full.
If you're applying as an international student, remember that you'll need to leave plenty of time to get your visa organised.
You can find more advice about applying in our Master's application checklist. International students and current students and recent graduates of the University of Portsmouth also have some different application options, which are detailed below.
Extra information for international students
If you're an international student, you can apply directly to us using the same application form as UK students.
You could also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region. To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Ready to apply?
Standard applications
I'm a current Portsmouth student, or a recent Portsmouth graduate
If you're currently in your final year of study at Portsmouth, or you graduated since July 2022, you're eligible to make a fast track application. You'll have:
- a shorter application form to complete
- access to the 20% Alumni fee discount
- a guaranteed conditional offer, for most Master's courses
After you apply
Once we receive your application, we may ask you for further information. We will then either make you an offer or suggest alternatives if your application is unsuccessful.
You'll usually get a decision within 10 working days, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Some courses have an interview stage – we'll let you know if you need to prepare for one.
Learn more about how we assess your application.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.