Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an honours degree programme of the highest international standing in commercial management and quantity surveying.
• To create a learning environment that stimulates, engages and excites students about their future career potential in construction technology, law, measurement, and construction commercial management such that they can reach the highest echelons of the construction industry. 
• To develop graduate cognisance of the construction industry that facilitates lifelong learning skills and enhances their ability to build and sustain a career at the leading edge of their profession. 
• To equip graduates with the portfolio of skills, depth of understanding and attitude required to embrace future evolution of the construction industry and changes to the commercial management and quantity surveying profession within it.
• To enhance graduate career and employment opportunities by facilitating sponsorship with major construction companies.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

External reference points include:

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2014). Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies. QAA, Gloucester.
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2016). Subject Benchmark Statement: Land, Construction, Real Estate and Surveying. QAA, Gloucester
• RICS (2018). RICS Requirements and Competencies Guide: August 2018. RICS, London.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

K1.       Commercial Management: The project and strategic decision making that ensure competitiveness.

K2.       Law: The law as it relates to the construction industry.

K3.       Contract Administration: The analytical methods and procedures used to apply construction contracts to projects.

K4.       Construction Technology: How buildings and civil engineering projects are constructed.

K5.       Measurement and Quantification: The analytical methods used to quantify and describe construction works to common standards.

K6.       Digital Technologies: Information technology systems relevant to the digitisation of the construction industry and the management of its projects.

K7.       Ethics and Professionalism: Roles and conduct of the construction professional.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

C1.      Plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

C2.      Analyse and solve construction commercial problems, applying professional judgment to balance risks, costs time, quality and safety.

C3.      Analyse and solve construction legal problems.

C4.      Evaluate and process information and data from a variety of sources, including, but by no means limited to, drawings, specifications, codes of practice, bills of quantities and legal forms of contract.

C5.      Interpret output from information technology systems to accurately predict and facilitate construction project outcomes. 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

P1.       Quantify and measure building and civil engineering structures.

P2.       Use equipment to survey and produce digital drawings and reports.

P3.       Prepare technical and financial reports and documents.

P4.       Give technical presentations.

P5.       Use commercial and financial data.

P6.       Use computational tools and packages.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

T1.       Communicate in a variety of media to suit the professional context.

T2.       Work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

T3.       Manage resources of time and money.

T4.       Use information and communication technology.

T5.       Apply mathematical skills relevant to the construction industry.

T6.       Learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations.

T7.       Practice continuing professional development within the context of professional membership of an authoritative institution.

T8.       Balance risks and make decisions.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules                                           

4.1.1    Semesters 1 & 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 120)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none) 

4.2       Part B – Degree Modules                                                    

4.2.1    Semesters 1 & 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 120)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

4.3       Part C – Degree Modules                                                     

4.2.1    Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 120)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

4.2.2    Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 120)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1       In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to Part C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also accumulate 120 credits in each Part.

5.2       Candidates cannot progress from Part B to the DIS year until Part B progression requirements have been met.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio 40% Part B : 60% Part C to determine the final percentage mark.