Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Quantity Surveying

Course Summary

The quantity surveyor has the responsibility of controlling project cost and are central to the decision-making process throughout the development of a construction project from initial inception to final completion. This programme prepares students for the specialised discipline of quantity surveying and offers graduates a broad skills base for the specialised profession.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

We work very closely with employers, practitioners and professional organisations to ensure that our programme reflects the current needs of the workplace. The syllabus covers a range of professional skills including communication, ethics, construction law, property development and commercial management. 

This programme gives students the necessary knowledge and skills to plan and control costs, and to competently administer construction projects. We use the latest construction industry IT, including Bill of Quantities production software, 3D modelling and review software, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Students undertake work placement for a minimum of three months to enhance the whole learning experience. This ensures students gain practical quantity surveying experience within a professional organisation.

YEAR 1

The degree commences with the key subjects, among others, of building technology, measurement of building works and site/materials management, which provide students with a solid grounding in the core knowledge and skills of the construction professional. There is also an ongoing focus on verbal and written communication using word processing, spreadsheets and presentation graphics.

YEAR 2

Core subjects are covered at a more advanced level, together with quantity surveying software, construction economics, construction law, contracts, procurement, estimating/pricing and the specialist area of mechanical and electrical measurement. Students learn how to estimate the cost of construction projects using up-to-date appropriate software.

YEAR 3

In Year 3, students study measurement of industrial and commercial buildings, cost control and planning, dispute management & resolution and programming of a construction project. Students also undertake a period of work placement for a minimum of three months in the Semester 2.

YEAR 4

In Year 4, students study complex structures and civil engineering works, the application of building information modelling, property development, commercial management, overview of the Public Works contracts and research methods. Students undertake a practical Capstone project, whereby a cost planning and value engineering exercise will be carried out on a commercial building. Students are also required to complete a dissertation on a relevant topic of their choice.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

This degree is fully accredited for chartered membership of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). 

Read more about Quantity Surveying Careers and Opportunities with this article from the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland

Another interesting article is Why Become a Quantity Surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

Career Opportunities

We work very closely with employers, practitioners and professional organisations to ensure that our programme reflects the current needs of the workplace.

Graduates work as site quantity surveyors, estimators, site managers, material procurement managers with quantity surveying consultants, contractors, sub-contractors and construction specialists.

Recent findings indicate that there will be a substantial deficit of surveyors in the construction and property industry to meet the predicted future demand for the construction sector in Ireland.

A 2020 Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) report stated that the National Median Salary was €70,000.

Further Study

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying may progress to the Level 9 Postgraduate Certificate in Mechanical and Electrical Quantity Surveying or the Level 9 MSc in Project Management offered by ATU Sligo, or to other related Level 9 programmes at other third-level Institutions.

PG Cert in Mechanical & Electrical Quantity Surveying

MSc in Project Management

Did you know?

We also offer this programme at Level 7 - AU835 BSc in Quantity Surveying 

This degree programme is fully accredited for chartered membership of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Students undertake a work placement for a minimum of three months to enhance the whole learning experience.

In Year 4, students complete a practical Capstone project whereby a cost planning and value engineering exercise is carried out on a commercial building.

The programme employs the latest technology including 3D modelling, on-screen measurement and BIM readers.

We work very closely with employers, practitioners and professional organisations to ensure that our programme reflects the current needs of the workplace. Surveying skills are increasingly in demand around the world.

Graduates may exit this degree after two years with a Higher Certificate in Construction Economics

A 2020 Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) report stated that the National Median Salary was €70,000. Recent findings indicate that there will be a substantial deficit of surveyors in the construction and property industry to meet the predicted future demand for the construction sector in Ireland.

Surveyors play a key role in developing new high-tech, sustainable cities, tackling climate change and solving global issues like urbanisation, migration and resource scarcity.

Surveyors are involved throughout the lifecycle of buildings and construction projects: from buying the land, to planning and monitoring the construction, and managing the finished building – and they are even involved in a building's final demolition decades later.

From planning skyscrapers and sports stadiums to creating film sets and festival sites, surveyors work on a huge variety of projects and with all sorts of people – architects, property developers, safety experts and asset managers to name a few. In fact, the project to build Tottenham Hotspurs' new 62,000-seat stadium was run by a surveyor.

Alumni

"When it comes to studying Quantity Surveying in Sligo, I liked that there was both practical and theoretical aspects to the degree. You were never just sitting in a class all the time. We could have a class of construction studies or construction law, and then we might be outside carrying out a land survey or in the computer lab using AutoCAD. The modules were varied and always kept you interested and wanting to learn more.

In 2016 after I graduated, I moved to New York where I worked as an estimator for a large subcontractor who carried out drywall, ceilings, concrete, fireproofing and masonry work. I learnt a lot here and worked on large scale projects across Manhattan – including some very prestigious buildings. I still work in New York and in my current role I work as a Project Estimator."

Kristina McGrath, BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying graduate and Project Estimator at Coyle, New York.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8

Semester 9