Tutor and students looking at a technical drawing
BSc (Hons) Available in Clearing

Building Surveying

Start an exciting professional career as a building surveyor, advising clients about sustainable property, retro-fit and building adaptions and improvements.

Start date
January
September
Location
Chelmsford
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
K230

Start date
January
September
Location
Chelmsford
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
K232

Start date
January
September
Location
Chelmsford
Duration
4 years with placement
UCAS course code
K231

90%

satisfaction achieved from graduating BSc (Hons) Building Surveying students.

Source: NSS 2024.

Learn how to evaluate the design, specification and performance of buildings. Develop skills in building inspection and analysis, and use industry-standard equipment to recognise and tackle defects, and identify technical problems in construction.

There are opportunities to get hands-on in specialist labs for materials and testing, environmental science and design, and surveying. You’ll also work in design and AutoCAD studios.

You’ll work independently and as part of larger teams, helping you understand where building surveyors ‘fit in’. Together, you’ll go on site visits, attend talks given by professionals, and learn how to manage projects. This puts you in a strong position for employment in this interesting and varied field.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Our course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). When you graduate, you can take your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and qualify as a Chartered Surveyor.

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors logo
Why ARU?
  • Gain a full range of skills, from converting buildings to performing surveys and valuations.

  • Use specialist facilities and equipment, including AutoCAD studios and testing and surveying labs.

  • Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.

  • Benefit from strong industry links with professional institutions, local firms and building surveying experts.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Surveying student on a building site

I'm constantly learning from informative and instructive lecturers. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in surveying or construction.

David, BSc (Hons) Building Surveying

As a skilled Building Surveying graduate, you’ll be in demand.

Our hands-on course offers opportunities to experience construction environments, as well as inspecting and valuing buildings. You'll also get a grounding in administering minor and intermediate building works procured by traditional contracts for the private and public sector. This will enhance your employability and give you a taste of some of the places you could work.

ARU graduates of full-time building courses earn, on average, £28,000 15 months after graduation, rising to £40,500 after five years.

Teaching and modules

Andrew Shepherd

Building surveying: a great career if you want to make a difference – and see the difference you are making!

Andrew Shepherd MRICS, Senior Lecturer

By studying Building Surveying at ARU, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the industry.

Looking at both residential and commercial buildings, we'll cover site surveying, CAD drawing, BIM modules, construction management processes, techniques and materials, design analysis, sustainability, and contractual, legal, economic, financial, and health and safety aspects.

You’ll learn about the costs and complications involved in extending, adapting, altering and conserving existing buildings. You’ll also consider building defects – from analysis and diagnosis to remedial action – and examine a building development project from inception to completion.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • BIM and Dimensional Control (30 credits)
  • Technology and Structures (30 credits)
  • Health and Safety Project Control and Resourcing (30 credits)
  • Law and Economics (30 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Management Practice (15 credits)
  • Project Administration (15 credits)
  • Building Inspection and Analysis
  • Property and Land Law (15 credits)
  • Advanced Technology and Environmental Impact (30 credits)
  • Building Surveying Documentation (15 credits)
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings (15 credits)
  • Building Surveying Practice I (15 credits)
  • Building Surveying Practice 2 (15 credits)
  • Building Pathology (15 credits)
  • Project Evaluation and Development (15 credits)
  • Risk, Value and Environmental Impact (15 credits)
  • Major Project (Surveying) (30 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
  • ICT Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Maths for Scientists
  • Maths for Engineers
  • Physics for Engineers
  • Engineering Design
  • Fundamentals of Computing
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Year 3
  • Work Placement School of Engineering and the Built Environment (120 credits)
Module details

It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.

As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

As a student at ARU you’ll use industry-standard equipment to learn how to conduct site surveys and property inspections.

Facilities include design and AutoCAD studios, a materials and testing laboratory, environmental science and design laboratory, and a surveying laboratory. You'll also benefit from extensive library and IT resources.

Your Personal Development Tutor will offer support you throughout your time at university; and you can also access support with careers and employability, study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Building Surveying

Clearing places available

UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start

UK students

Call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct

Part-time courses

Apply directly to ARU

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