Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Our Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship within Quantity Surveying has been designed for those who are already within the industry that wish to develop their skills and knowledge and for those new to the industry who wish to qualify as a Chartered Surveyor whilst working full time.The Quantity Surveying apprenticeship pathway has been specifically developed by Northumbria University and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), alongside industry and partner education providers to address current skills gaps within the profession. Following recent consultations with all relevant partners the programme has been re-designed to meet the developing needs of quantity surveying degree apprentices, their employers and the sector as a whole. The programme has been designed to suit a national market with the lecture content delivered online. When it is safe to do so there will be no more than 3 days of attendance per calendar year at regional hubs across the UK.
The apprenticeship combines vocational skills and workplace practice with academic, research-rich learning to give students the knowledge and experience that employers and the industry need.
This apprenticeship will give apprentices the ability to cost building designs, manage the procurement of resources and all financial matters associated with construction projects as well as the skills and ability to negotiate effectively with partners. They will be able to apply their academic knowledge and research skills to the quantity surveying issues encountered daily within your working life.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for Graduate Membership.
Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate and needed knowledge, skills and behaviour and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE. For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education webpage here.
This programme is for apprentices who are required by their employers to be RICS chartered (MRICS). It usually takes four years to complete the academic award and typically a further twelve-eighteen months to reach Gateway post-graduation before commencing the End Point Assessment (EPA) of the Degree Apprenticeship. The EPA of this programme is the Assessment of Professional Competence of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and can take up to an additional twelve months post-Gateway, to complete.
*Northumbria University also offers the Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship, designed to train those in predominantly contracting Quantity Surveying roles. It takes four years to complete this academic award and typically a further six months to complete the End Point Assessment (EPA) of the Degree Apprenticeship. In this case, the EPA is only partly representative of the review process required for chartered status of industry recognised institutions such as the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), so additional preparation and payment would be required to apply for professional registration.*
Please note we also have a full time Quantity Surveying BSc available.
Level of Study
Undergraduate
Mode of Study
4 years Part Time
Department
Architecture and Built Environment
Location
City Campus, Northumbria University
City
Newcastle
Start
September 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:
Explore our full range of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships within the following sectors:
Individual employers may also have their own selection process for this Degree Apprenticeship, and admission onto a higher or degree apprenticeship can only take place if applicants are currently employed, and their employer has a training agreement in place with Northumbria University.
Applicants must be employed in a relevant role, such as a trainee Quantity Surveyor role, with the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts directly to their personal and professional work experience.
Potential apprentices will need:
112 UCAS Tariff points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate.
We may also consider applicants who have successfully completed a related Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or those with non-standard qualifications, or a significant amount of relevant work-based or professional experience.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
GCSE Requirements:
It is an ESFA requirement that all apprentices have acquired and can evidence level 2 Maths and English qualifications at GCSE grade C/4 or above before completion of the programme. For any applicants to a degree apprenticeship programme who cannot provide evidence of level 2 maths and English qualifications on entry, NU will work with a designated level 2 provider to facilitate both an initial diagnostic test and learning support and assessment leading to the required qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Students can apply for exemption from studying individual modules or an entire stage of a programme on the basis of prior learning. The prior learning and experience of each applicant is mapped against the programme learning outcomes and apprenticeship standards in compliance with ESFA policy on initial skills assessment and the NU Process for Management of Degree Apprenticeship Students : Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
DA4032 -
Academic Practice (20 Credits)
You will be introduced to academic study skills to support your learning throughout the programme. You will also gain awareness of how to contribute effectively to meetings and present information in a variety of ways including oral and written. You will explore the topics such as:
• Independent learning and time management
• Searching for information, reading and note taking
• Academic writing
• Presentations
• Referencing and plagiarism
• Ethics and standards
• Using technology
DA4041 -
Construction Technology (20 Credits)
This module seeks to provide you with a fundamental understanding of how construction and structural technologies can be employed to address key principles of building, and to satisfy performance and regulatory requirements. You will also be introduced to the aesthetic, environmental, economic and legislative factors that influence the choice of technologies in the construction industry.
You will explore topics such as the following in the context of technologies for small-scale buildings:
the construction team and their specific roles in technological decisions
• structural principles
• foundations and groundworks
• principles of enclosure
• principles of environmental control
• building envelope as a climatic modifier
• daylight and lighting need; room conditions and sound transfer
• air transfer mechanisms
• alternative sources of energy
• principles of heat loss
• material properties and choices
• external wall construction methods
• internal walls floors and stairs
• fixtures, fittings and furniture
• principles of sustainability and the impact of construction on the built and natural environments
• health and safety in the construction and use of buildings
• building regulations and associated legislation
• communications and graphical standards in construction technology
DA4042 -
Development & Construction Economics (20 Credits)
The demand for construction and property is generated from the global, national and regional economy. In this module you will learn how the surveyor works within the economic environment to provide the good and services demanded by society. You will learn about the basic and fundamental economic concepts such as demand and supply theory, market mechanism and macroeconomic objectives in order to develop an understanding of economic theory as applied to the construction industry and property. These fundamentals will be developed to help you understand money supply, the concept of risk and return and investment finance. Practical exercises will help you understand the components of value in property, property development and the construction process. You will learn about the role, key activities and the basic skills of the surveying and construction professions in different stages of the development and construction process with introductions to the key functions, professional practice techniques and concepts that are commonly deployed within the built environment such as property valuation, cost estimating and property procurement methods.
More informationDA4043 -
Professional Practice 1 (20 Credits)
The module aims to facilitate the assessment of work-based learning as part of your initial first year on the programme in order to promote good professional and personal development. This will take the form of an introduction to academic, study and professional skills and will draw on your first-year studies into an ongoing portfolio of work-related knowledge and experience. It aims to reflect the interdependence of the different topic areas you will study at Level 4, in the context of the surveying profession. Within this module you will learn the relevance of key surveying skills such as measurement and inspection of property, together with what is expected of you in the role of the surveyor in the workplace in terms of professional ethics, work standards and Fundamental British Values. The academic content and skills set acquired within the module will assist in personal development in terms of your current and future career aspirations. In this respect, the programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and will give you the opportunity to apply core knowledge of the RICS Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship in preparation for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) should you wish to do so.
More informationDA4040 -
Digital Built Environment (20 Credits)
This module will develop your digital communications skills and understanding. You will be introduced to cutting-edge digital communication tools and will establish an advanced knowledge of these tools and their usage in built environment sector. In doing so, you will enrich your ability to choose and apply appropriate communication techniques within a project cycle. You will also be able to demonstrate your new skills in the design, specification and communication of projects within future learning and professional practice.
More informationDA4044 -
Law for Surveyors (20 Credits)
You will learn about the key areas of law, which are relevant to the surveying profession, and also start to develop professional skills.
You will explore topics such as:
• Fundamental British Values, particularly the rule of law
• Introduction to the English Legal System and how the law affects the work of surveyors
• Sources of law, reviewing a case, interpreting legislation, legal research and problem-solving techniques
• Contract Law
• Land law; land ownership, land registration, public and private rights affecting land and adverse possession
• The sale of land; overview of the conveyancing process, different methods of sale including auctions and tenders
• Tort : Negligence, Professional Negligence, Occupiers' liability, nuisance and Trespass
• Landlord and Tenant Law; reading a lease, key lease obligations and remedies for breach of covenant
DA5032 -
Professional Practice 2 (20 Credits)
Building on the learning outcomes of the previous Professional Practice module, in this module you will focus on learning about and reflecting on working with others towards common goals, and gaining an understanding of different techniques for communication and negotiation. You will learn to identify your own development needs and take appropriate action to meet those needs, actively engaging in an Apprentice-led programme of Continuing Professional Development events.
More informationDA5043 -
Advanced Construction Technology (20 Credits)
You will learn the principles and practical application of building technology used for design and construction of complex and multi-storey buildings. This will include advanced construction techniques and materials that emphasise the repetitive nature of large-scale construction projects, associated aesthetics and building user-related considerations.
You will explore topics such as:
• Advanced foundation construction, and ground water control.
• Deep basement excavation, construction and waterproofing.
• Multi-storey frame construction.
• Hybrid concrete construction.
• Diagrid structures.
• Architecturally Exposed Structural steel (AESS)
• Upper Floor Construction
• External envelope construction.
• Active and Passive fire protection.
• Construction technology in civil engineering infrastructure.
• Sustainability issues.
You will learn how to work both individually and as part of a team to produce technical reports for real building projects. On completion of the module, your improved ability to link theory, with appraisal and evaluation will serve to enhance your future employability.
DA5044 -
Construction Economics (20 Credits)
In this module you will learn the consultant Quantity Surveyor's role in the development process. You will learn preparation of cost estimates using preliminary estimating techniques, order of cost estimate and cost plan. Further, you will explore how to conduct cost checking integration of contemporary software packages compatible with BIM technology and tools. Moreover, you will discover programming of construction work, management of risk in programming of work and modern software packages in construction programming.
You will explore topics such as:
• Preliminary Estimating
• Order of Cost Estimating
• Cost Planning
• Cost Modelling
• Building Morphology
• Building Information Modelling and 5D BIM
• Risk Management (Programming)
• Programming of Construction Work
DA5041 -
Measurement & Costing (20 Credits)
You will learn about the principles of measurement and costing of construction works and their relationship to the financial control of a project, and learn to apply appropriate methods of measurement of completed works and issue documentation required for payment to specialist contractors and income from the client. You will explore topics such as:
• The principles of measurement for the quantification of construction works
• The role of Bills of Quantities in the development process
• Simple measurement techniques and software
• Worked examples and practice examples of measurement work
• The role of measurement in costing and valuing project work to facilitate project control
DA5046 -
Construction Law (20 Credits)
You will learn to apply basic principles of the English Law to the administration of construction contracts, the day to day control of contractual procedures and the recognition and avoidance/resolution of disputes should they arise. The module includes a study of the relevant legislation and case law relating to express provisions of the most common Standard Forms of Construction Contract. You will also study the detailed workings of various aspects of construction dispute resolution, including Adjudication, Arbitration, Mediation and Litigation.
You will explore topics such as:
• Comparison of Standard Forms
• Letters of Intent
• Retention of Title
• Payment Issues
• Occupiers Liability
• Legal Issues and BIM* Dispute avoidance and resolution
• The role of a surveyor as an Expert
• Professional Liability and Ethics
• Fundamental British Values, particularly the rule of law
DA5047 -
Contract Administration and Practice (20 Credits)
The aim of this module is to build upon and ultimately practice the QS skills introduced to you at level 4. The common theme of the module will be to develop an understanding of the consultant's (Quantity Surveyor) role in managing or administering the contract between the client (employer) and the contractor on construction projects. You will be able to undertake (i) pre-contract activities including deciding on the type of procurement route and building contract and examination of priced tender documents and selection of contractors/consultants; and (ii) both agency and decision-making functions following commencement of a construction project. You will learn to carry out a range of standard contract administrative procedures.
You will explore topics such as:
• Procurement and selection of procurement methods
• Tender Processes including pre-qualification
• Tender Analysis (Examination of priced tender documents)
• Sub-contracting
• Interim Valuations & Payments
• Delays/ Extensions of Time
• Cash Flow Management
• Loss and Expense
• Variations
• Final Account Procedures
• Application of Financial Protection Measures
• Determination
• Retention of Title
• Professional Ethics
DA6031 -
Professional Research Project (40 Credits)
This module is a final test of your maturity and independence as well as of your research skills and intellectual ability and demonstration of your Northumbria Graduate Characteristics. You will learn to:
• Synthesise disciplinary knowledge and professional experience to identify a quantity surveying challenge in your sector
• Apply appropriate research methods to collate, analyse and interpret research data
• Demonstrate independent thinking and curiosity to identify, develop and justify solutions
• Communicate research findings in the form of an academic journal article or succinct report and oral/visual presentation
• Apply appropriate research ethics and data protection to a professional research project
DA6038 -
Contractual and Financial Management (20 Credits)
In this module, you will explore the requirement for consultants and commercial quantity surveyors to comply with basic accountancy processes and understand key issues such as cash flow and sources of finance. You will learn how costs are controlled and reported on and the legal constraints. You will learn to create balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and business plans. You will become able to defend strategies to control predicted expenditure in line with the budget to the construction team and the client. You will also become able to appraise the financial standing of companies and assess possible sources of finance and the strategies adopted to manage cash flow and claims.
You will explore topics such as:
• Budgets as a tool for effective project and business control
• Cash flow and how to prepare cash flow forecasts
• Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR)
• Earned Value Analysis (EVA)
• Project forecasting as a tool for effective project and business control
• The importance of record keeping
• Estimating for Tendering
• Accounts including sources of finance and cash flow
• Quality Planning and Management
DA6039 -
Planning and Management (20 Credits)
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of the aspects of the planning and management of projects and its role in adding competitive advantage to your organisation. Specifically, you will gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin planning and management.
You will explore topics such as:
• Project planning, programme and portfolio management concepts
• Bodies of Knowledge and methodologies
• Life cycle, principles and processes
• Scheduling, budgeting and cash flow
• Earned value management
• Project and programme organisation structures and roles
• Risk management
• Role of the project / programme support office
• Management of projects using contemporary software packages compatible with BIM technology and related tools
DA6040 -
Advanced Measurement (20 Credits)
You will be introduced to advanced concepts in the quantification of building and civil engineering works and the development of detailed cost models. You will be provided with worked and practice-based examples of measurement work and the application of building and civil engineering rules of measurement. You will also develop throughout this module numeracy skills relating to the use and evaluation of data and communication skills using accepted industry terminology.
You will explore topics such as:
• Basic measurement technique [recapitulation]
• The information structures of NRM2 and CESMM4
• Earthworks
• In situ concrete works
• Piling works
• Pipework
DA6041 -
Professional Practice 3 (20 Credits)
The module aims to facilitate the assessment of work-based learning as part of your academic programme in order to promote professional and personal development enhance interpersonal skills and reinforce Fundamental British Values.
It will help to prepare you for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). You will look at the RICS Mandatory Competencies, select the RICS Core Competencies applicable to the RICS APC Pathway that you have chosen, and reflect on the experience you have.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.
We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.
You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need.
We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:
At Northumbria University, our higher and degree apprenticeships are more than a learning programme; they are a partnership. We work with organisations to create courses that meet the demands of businesses.
Our Continual Professional Development (CPD) courses are designed to open up exciting new possibilities for individuals and organisations. By increasing skills and knowledge and introducing new ways of thinking and working we create impact in performance at all levels.
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today’s possibilities into tomorrow’s competitive edge.
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