Building Surveying
Start an exciting professional career as a building surveyor, advising clients about sustainable property, retro-fit and building adaptions and improvements.
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.
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.
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Hear more about our BSc (Hons) Building Surveying degree in Chelmsford.
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Gain a full range of skills, from converting buildings to performing surveys and valuations.
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Use specialist facilities and equipment, including AutoCAD studios and testing and surveying labs.
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Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
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Benefit from strong industry links with professional institutions, local firms and building surveying experts.
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
I'm constantly learning from informative and instructive lecturers. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in surveying or construction.
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
Building surveying: a great career if you want to make a difference – and see the difference you are making!
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 *.
- 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
- 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)
- 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)
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- ICT Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Maths for Scientists
- Maths for Engineers
- Physics for Engineers
- Engineering Design
- Fundamentals of Computing
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.
- Work Placement School of Engineering and the Built Environment (120 credits)
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.
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Andrew ShepherdSenior Lecturer Practitioner in Building Surveying
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.
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
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