Quantity Surveying (with Placement)

Kingston University

This is a core module for all level 5 students on engineering programmes. Students will demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional in their subject area. This module will scaffold Future Skills from Level 4 Navigate to Level 6 Apply. This module considers the principles and practices for the design and management of engineering projects. The nature of engineering project management is discussed in the context of constraints on quality, time, risk, and sustainability. The module broadens the student’s knowledge of how organisations undertake and monitor projects. The module is skills-rich, including the development of team-working, interpersonal and interdisciplinary skills, critical self-reflection, communication and presentation, time management, and the ability to organise, strategise and prioritise. A key element of this module will be the participation in an inter-disciplinary design thinking project. Students will contextualise their subject-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours as an interdisciplinary team member charged with developing a solution to a designated challenge. The teamwork project enables students to demonstrate their ability to explore and contextualise their subject specific knowledge and helps prepare them for their individual project in Level 6.

This module builds on students' understanding of the basic principles of measurement developed at Level 4. It focuses on the detailed quantification and costing of complex buildings and engineering projects and aims to enable students to gain working knowledge of the principal methods of measurement and their application in such complex construction works. Upon completion students should be able to carry out building and civil engineering works measurement competently. The module is taught by a series of lectures. These will be supported by workshops and tutorials during which students will be expected to take an active part by applying to worked examples as formative work. Measurement and costing of construction work are core skills of the quantity surveyor that underpin the procurement and cost management of construction projects. This module will develop students' competence in this subject area which is vital to quantity surveying practice.

This module builds on the students' understanding of economic principles developed at Level 4 and aims to apply these into the context of property and construction investment. Students will develop cost management techniques and skills used during design development of capital and building maintenance work. Emphasis will be placed on order of cost estimating; cost planning techniques based on elemental analysis; and the relationship between building morphology and costs. Topics will also include development appraisal, value management, life cycle costing, risk quantification, cost data management, cost reporting, and benchmarking. Upon completion, students will be able to apply the concepts and practice of construction cost management in real-life scenarios. The module is taught by lectures and seminars in which students will be expected to take an active role. The ability to provide clients and other members of the design team with accurate estimates and reliable cost advice at various stages of design development is a core competence of quantity surveyors. Vital decisions made at this stage of project development are based on these estimates and cost advice. This module will develop in students the competence required for quantity surveying practice in this subject area.

The module provides an in-depth understanding of digital technologies and construction-related information modelling in the built environment context. You will learn how digital construction has revolutionised the construction industry and how Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its closely related digital technologies are used as tools for the realisation of the Construction Industry 4.0. The course covers various aspects of digital design, construction, and operation and maintenance, including the knowledge and use of tools related to BIM, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and geographic information system. You will learn about BIM software, collaboration techniques, and project delivery methods. You will also develop digital skills and knowledge such as data management, quantification, project team collaboration and cost analysis.

This module introduces you to procurement strategies for executing construction projects and the intricacies of contract administration. The course identifies the various procurement routes for different project circumstances. The module further extends your critical knowledge and understanding of the contract administration and financial management duties of the project manager. Although there will be lectures, the teaching and learning emphasis will focus on developing your core knowledge and interpersonal skills using scenarios, workshops and a day field trip to an ongoing project in a major city in England. This will help increase your problem-solving competencies and communication skills development. The module will be assessed by coursework.

This module provides insights into the construction of commercial and other buildings. The module will extend your knowledge and skills in construction technology and services, from the basic types of construction to framed and more complex commercial structures. By the end of the module, you should have developed a critical knowledge of building types, be able to interpret drawings, produce sketches and appreciate the reasons for the selection and use of different construction materials and services solutions.

This module aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the legal aspects related to construction projects. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the legal framework governing the construction industry, particularly in contract administration and management. This module enhances your analytical and critical thinking abilities when confronted with legal and professional practice challenges. It promotes a holistic comprehension of sustainability in the context of the built environment and provides an in-depth examination of construction disputes and the commonly employed methods of dispute resolution. You will acquire practical techniques for effective time management, develop proficiency in locating, interpreting, using and referencing legal sources, and cultivate essential attributes valued by the construction industry, including collaboration, team building, critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, initiative and creativity.

You will demonstrate the ability to apply your professional skills in your chosen area, and gain a broad understanding of the business environment in which professional activities are undertaken. The module will develop the technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment, and prepare you for employment and entrepreneurship. You will participate in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition where you will work as a team to develop a business idea. To do this you will need to interact with relevant stakeholders outside the University. You will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the University and reflect on these interactions. This may include participation in co-curricular events such as subject-specific and career development events, and networking opportunities offered by subject-specific professional bodies. You'll leverage interactions with professionals in the development of your final year research project, and reflect on the co-benefits of these interactions.

This module introduces you to project management processes and tools and provides an overview of the project manager's role and function at different stages of the project life cycle. Standards of professional and ethical conduct will be explored. You'll consider the appraisal of options leading to the developing of a business case and feasibility report as well as pre-construction planning and site establishment. You will attend a series of lectures and practical sessions and are expected to take an active role by applying your knowledge to practical scenarios. The module is assessed by a client report.

This is a core module taken by Building Surveying, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying students at Level 6. The module provides an in-depth understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Construction Information Management System (CIMS) in the construction industry. It covers various topics related to BIM and CIMS, including their application, benefits, challenges and future developments. The module will begin by recapping the fundamental concepts of BIM and CIMS, including the evolution of BIM and its importance in the construction industry. It will then delve into the different stages of BIM and CIMS, including modelling, collaboration, documentation, and analysis. The module will cover various software tools that are commonly used in BIM and CIMS, such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks and BIM 360. This module is to enable the students to apply and evaluate the key principles of BIM with the students undertaking a collaborative interdisciplinary project to apply and develop their skills in a scenario-based group project. Finally, the course will discuss the future trends and developments in BIM and CIMS, such as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Virtual Reality (VR) in construction.

This module integrates knowledge and skills students acquired in the complete suite of modules of this programme. It enables students to develop a deeper understanding of cross subject synergies. The module provides the framework for advanced practical applications of quantity surveying knowledge and skills into consultancy practice and scenarios. Students will learn how to develop and implement a consultancy strategy and provide reasoned advice and complete solutions to clients on a wide range of issues. They will be expected to think strategically and develop their own skills awareness for developmental project needs. The module includes a capstone project which builds on work undertaken by students during a field trip. The module is delivered by keynote lectures and workshops.

This is a core module for Level 6 BSc students. The individual project is an opportunity to explore a subject of the student's own choice and to initiate, design and execute a small-scale research project under supervision. The work in the project will draw upon material from all modules previously or currently taught and provide a culmination to their degree. Additionally, this allows the students to develop and practice their research skills which will be invaluable for the future. The students are encouraged to work independently, study a topic in depth, review previous work, collect, and interpret and analyse information. This is also intended to develop students' ability to communicate clearly and succinctly orally, graphically and in writing. In undertaking the work, students should demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing literature and in using one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions. To support the student a series of workshops will be given along with individual one-to-one supervision to ensure the student is supported throughout the process. Assessment is by submission of an initial formative research statement, and summative assessments comprise an interim report and the completed project.

This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes. At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network. You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.