Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Chartered Surveyor

BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management or BSc(Hons) Building Surveying

Course code
ST0331
Level
Higher/Degree Apprenticeship
School
School of Architecture and Environment
Duration
Typically five years
Delivery
Day release; September intake
Programme leader
Jason Southan (Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway)
Paul Mundy (Building Surveying pathway)

Please note the entry requirements stated for this course are indicative. The entry requirements for 2024 will be published by November 2023.

Page last updated 12 February 2024

Introduction

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) (subject to conditions), our Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship pathways will give you the degree-level expertise needed to practise as a competent Chartered Surveyor.

Accreditations and partnerships:

Why study for a Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship?

The Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship (Level 6) is a practical qualification that reflects the needs of modern industry. It's ideal if you're keen to further your career by gaining a university degree and professional qualification while remaining in the workplace. You can choose from two pathways:

  • Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
  • Building Surveying.

Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway

Managing finance and costs effectively is important throughout the building lifecycle, from inception to completion. As we build new developments and manage existing ones, demand increases for professionals with the knowledge and skills to manage this process.

The building industry needs people with a good understanding of the commercial aspects of development and construction. This apprenticeship will strengthen and develop your chartered surveying and commercial skills, developing your talent and enabling you to apply your new skills to your workplace.

Building Surveying pathway

As we create new buildings, we also need to manage existing ones better. Building surveyors provide a portfolio of professional services to a range of professionals and clients in the property and construction industry. These include project management, legal and technical advice, building surveys and reports, defect diagnosis and conservation, as well as design solutions for new build and refurbishment schemes. This apprenticeship represents a unique opportunity for anyone who wants to boost their knowledge, skills and experience of building surveying, all while continuing to contribute to the workplace.

Why UWE Bristol?

Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway

You'll benefit from the considerable experience of UWE Bristol's Chartered Surveying and Commercial Management team, which comprises of practising and recently practising surveyors and construction legal practitioners.

Develop skills in computer-aided estimating, project management and building information modelling (BIM) on industry-standard software, and access industry-leading resources, specialist journals and publications through our online portal. Attending regular presentations from visiting professionals, academics and past students will help you stay up to date with industry challenges.

A mix of traditional and highly creative learning environments will enable you to learn essential knowledge and real-world skills, making you an asset to your organisation.

Building Surveying pathway

Our tutors come from both academia and practice, providing real-life examples to put theory into context, and giving you an in-depth perspective on the role of the surveyor within the construction and property industries.

You'll apply the knowledge and skills you learn to real-life scenarios and situations and integrate your experience into research via a specific module relating to work-based research.

Site visits increase your familiarity with environments you could come across as your career develops. Past visits include exploring conservation issues at the SS Great Britain and Chepstow Castle; examining foundations for a luxury residential development in Kensington; and investigating non-traditional housing association refurbishment projects.

You'll build familiarity with specialist equipment that illustrates the essential components of a domestic building. Test bricks and concrete in specialist laboratories and develop skills in computer-aided design (CAD), project management and building information modelling (BIM) on industry-standard software.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities.

Benefits to your employer

Our Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship allows you to train to university standard without having to take significant time away from your workplace. Training is delivered on a day-release format, allowing you to put your learning into practice almost from day one.

In addition to apprenticeship funding for your tuition, any employers who also pay the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy can access additional funding to support your apprenticeship with non-academic costs.

On the Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway, you'll develop the relevant legal, economic, management and technology skills needed within chartered surveying and commercial management. You'll then learn how to apply these in a wider business context while improving your problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation and innovation skills. You'll graduate as a competent communicator who can confidently manage teams and projects and directly benefit your business.

On the Building Surveying pathway, you'll gain balanced academic and vocational knowledge, covering a range of design, construction and facilities management aspects for residential and commercial buildings. You'll learn the key tasks associated with the current profession, while gaining insight into driving forces changing the industry, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainability. You'll develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make a greater contribution to your workplace.

Careers

This apprenticeship will develop your leadership and critical thinking techniques, essential to being flexible, innovative and successful in the face of a changing industry.

Successful completion of the End Point Assessment of this apprenticeship shows you satisfy the requirements for chartered membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). You'll achieve either a BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management degree or a BSc(Hons) Building Surveying degree, depending on the pathway you choose.

At this stage, you'll have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to work competently as a Chartered Surveyor. You'll be able to apply your new expertise and skills directly to your workplace, taking you to the next stage of your professional career.

In addition to supporting your development in the workplace, this apprenticeship will help you to understand the career landscape in your sector and plan for your longer-term ambitions. Our award-winning Careers Service is on hand to give you independent advice and guidance at any point in your studies.

Course details

Content

The optional modules listed below are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

After the modules, you'll take the Apprenticeship End Point Assessment: the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). This will allow you to become a chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) to complete your apprenticeship.

Building Surveying pathway

Year one

  • Environmental Physics and Materials
  • Construction Technology and Services.

Year two

  • Law, Economics and Management
  • Principles of Sustainable Design.

Year three

  • Management of Residential Refurbishment Projects
  • Procedures and Practice (Work-Based Learning)
  • Professional Consultancy and Contract Administration.

Year four

  • Building Pathology
  • Commercial Development
  • Conserving Buildings and Places
  • Work-Based Research Project.

Year five

  • Commercial Refurbishment
  • Sustainable Strategies for Property Management
  • Dissertation.

Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway

Year one

  • Environmental Physics and Materials
  • Construction Technology and Services.

Year two

  • Quantity Surveying Practice and Procedure
  • Law, Economics and Management.

Year three

  • Quantity Surveying Project
  • Construction Technology and Building Services
  • Procedures and Practice (Work-Based Learning).

Year four

  • Procurement and Contract Practice
  • Innovation and Professionalism
  • Development and Design Economics
  • Work-Based Research Project.

Year five

  • International Cost Management
  • Commercial Management
  • Dissertation.

Learning and Teaching

Our tutors provide a friendly, collaborative environment for learning. They're actively engaged in research or professional practice, so you'll be informed of the latest academic and business developments.

Teaching takes the form of lectures, hands-on activities, tutorials and computer lab sessions. Study opportunities are enhanced with access to industry-leading resources, specialist journals and publications through UWE Bristol's online portal.

You'll benefit from opportunities to attend guest lectures from industry professionals, and you'll be supported to develop the confidence and skills that bring value to your workplace.

See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Assessment

Assessment takes the form of exams and coursework, which may include essays, reports, skills portfolios, presentations, and projects. In the final year of your degree you'll complete a dissertation.

After you graduate, you'll be ready to take your Apprenticeship End Point Assessment: the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Successfully completing this assessment proves you've reached the required professional standard. You'll be able to use your learning and successful apprenticeship to show your expertise as a Chartered Surveyor in the workplace.

Features

Professional accreditation

Successful learners will qualify with a university degree in BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management or BSc(Hons) Building Surveying. This will lead to the apprenticeship end point assessment of the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Passing your end point assessment will allow you to become a chartered member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) to complete your apprenticeship.

UWE Bristol holds Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Accredited Centre Status during the period 2022-2027. These qualifications are CIOB Accredited (subject to conditions) during the period 2022-2027, having been judged to meet the CIOB Education Framework.

Prospective members holding these qualifications have full academic exemption. Once you've gained three to five years' relevant work experience, you may enter CIOB membership as an applicant. This will enable you to progress towards Chartered Membership without the requirement for an Individual Assessment.

The BSc(Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management course is also accredited by the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES).

Life

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Sustainability

It is embedded in our culture, teaching and research.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Entry

Typical offers

  • Tariff points: 112
  • GCSE: GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths).
  • A-level subjects: Points from A-level General Studies and AS-level subjects (not taken onto full A-level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-levels. No specific subjects required.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  • Access: No specific subjects required.
  • Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
  • T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

To be an apprentice, you must be employed in a role that's relevant to the skill, trade or occupation you're being trained for. As part of your commitment to the apprenticeship, you'll have to complete at least six hours per week of off-the-job learning activity within your normal contracted working hours, which is supported by your employer.  

We use the UCAS Tariff system to make offers to applicants. You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to convert your qualifications and grades into points.

Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway: You must have at least two A levels or a Higher National Certificate (HNC) Construction.

Both pathways: You can gain advanced entry to Year three of the apprenticeship with an HNC in Construction/Building (with average grade of Merit or above).

Accredited Learning

If you have a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree in a closely related subject, we may be able to credit you with some of the modules in our course and potentially reduce your course duration.  In your application, please give full details of all your qualifications (including modules and units).

ESFA eligibility requirements

To study an apprenticeship, you need to:

  • be aged 16 years or over
  • be an EEA citizen (with Right to Work in the UK) and not be in any other kind of full-time education (including being enrolled on any other apprenticeship programme)
  • be employed (for at least the full planned duration of your apprenticeship) in a role that is linked to the appropriate industry for the apprenticeship training
  • receive at least legal minimum wage for apprentices (wages vary depending on experience, employer and level or type of apprenticeship)
  • commit to at least 6 hours per week of apprenticeship training during your normal working hours
  • have support from your employer, including a mentor/line manager. Your employer is also responsible for funding your apprenticeship.

More information about eligibility for apprenticeship funding is available on the GOV.UK website.

How to apply

Employed

If you’re interested in applying and have the support from your employer, speak to your line manager and/or HR team in the first instance for approval. Your employer will contact us so we can send you an application link.

Unemployed

If you’re not employed, you can use the following tools to find an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer:

For more guidance on higher and degree apprenticeship applications.

For further information

For course-specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader.

For all other enquiries, please email our Apprenticeship Hub apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call +44 (0)117 32 84888.

For further information about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.