BSc (Hons) Building Surveying
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 3 years FullTime, 4 years Placement year
- Campus:
- City
Why study Building Surveying at LJMU?
- LJMU ranked 16th in the UK for construction, surveying and planning courses (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
- LJMU ranked 8th university in the UK for building degrees (The Times UK University Rankings 2025)
- Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
- Opportunity to undertake a year's industrial placement or study abroad
- Opportunity to participate in an exciting international experience studying a building surveying subject abroad
- 6 million investment in developing state-of-the-art teaching facilities
- Stepping stone to a varied career with UK and overseas employment opportunities
About your course
Completing the BSc (Hons) Building Surveying at Liverpool John Moores University will enable you to graduate as a fully accredited professional with relevant industry experience and excellent earning potential.
Traditionally, a building surveyors main area of expertise has been in property refurbishment and conservation, but nowadays they are also involved in building design, management, maintenance, and surveys the whole lifecycle of a building, in fact.
As such, they work with a range of people, from building owners and occupiers to builders, planners, lawyers and service engineers, so not only do they need to be technically competent but practical as well, and capable of giving advice on subjects as diverse as repair diagnosis to building design to legal representation in court.
The course is built around the following four themes together with work experience and project tasks that simulate real working practices, giving you the knowledge and practical skills to launch your career as a building surveyor:
- Technical knowledge, such as building construction, building defects, science and materials
- Design practice, which covers cad, refurbishment projects, sustainability projects, building conservation
- Management practice, including construction site management, facilities and maintenance management business management
- Law, including construction law, property law, health and safety law
The course also offers a sandwich route which involves a paid placement where you can apply what you have learnt at LJMU out in the workplace. Such experience will enhance both your professional skills development and your CV, boosting your employment prospects after graduation.
Students not undertaking a placement year are registered on the non-Sandwich version of the programme and will have the opportunity of an additional study year abroad following Level 5, providing students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU.
Additional course costs
There are no travel costs for day site visits. Optional residential study visits in the UK and abroad will have costs involved. Locations of such visits may be subject to change.
Course modules
What you will study on this degree
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Principles of Economics and Management
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to economic and management theories and principles with reference to the built environment, property, and society in general.
Construction Technology 1
20 credits
20 credits
This module introduces you to the building process and construction technology associated with domestic dwellings. It will enable you to develop an understanding of the performance of buildings and the influence of alternative methods and materials for sustainable construction.
Introduction to Law
20 credits
20 credits
This module will provide the students with a working knowledge of the English legal system and an introduction to the principles of the law including contract, tort and property law.
Passive Design and Specification
20 credits
20 credits
This module introduce fundamental concepts concerning passive building design with particular reference to dwellings. To introduce students to specification of materials for building projects.
Property Surveys
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides students with a practical introduction to building surveying including residential property surveys. To enable students to develop academic and digital literacy skills to perform effectively on the building surveying degree programme.
Science and Materials
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enable students to apply appropriate scientific and analytical methods to investigate the performance and behaviour of common building materials. We aim to provide students with an appreciation of the common scientific principles associated with environmental conditions inside buildings.
Core modules
Asset Management
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to examine the process of acquiring property, and the effective management and maintenance of individual property holdings.
Pathology and Inspection
20 credits
20 credits
In this module students undertake a commercial building inspection through the systematic appraisal of building defects causing decay and deterioration, in order to propose remediation solutions.
Procurement and Contracts
20 credits
20 credits
This module provides an comprehensive understanding of contract management, administration and the influence of procuring suppliers and specialists to optimise contract performance.
Sustainable Buildings Project
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to enable students to work on a group project that enables the integration and development of a range of professional skills in the context of sustainable building design, maintenance and management.
Property Law for Surveyors
20 credits
20 credits
The module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental legal principles and statutory rules relating to Landlord and Tenant law and Dilapidations.
Construction Technology 2
20 credits
20 credits
This module explains and analyses the construction techniques of framed multi-storey buildings. Students are enabled to evaluate the relative merits of the various construction forms in any given situation You will be introduced to current and future building services technologies for commercial and industrial buildings.
Optional Modules
Study Year Abroad - Building Surveying
120 credits
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their programme at LJMU. This is an additional year of full-time study at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be appropriate for the student's programme of study. Assuming successful completion of this year, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the year abroad.
Sandwich Year - Building Surveying
120 credits
120 credits
The aim is to provide students with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement their programme of study at LJMU. This will give students the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to their programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment. This extended placement forms a key part of a sandwich degree. All placements need to be assessed and approved prior to commencement in line with the LJMU Placement Learning Code of Practice. The Code of Practice requires students to conduct themselves in a professional and responsible manner during the placement - failure to do so may lead to the placement being terminated prematurely. Placements are normally for one calendar year on a full-time basis. Split placements of a shorter duration may be permissible. There is an expectation that a minimum of 1200 hours will be spent in the workplace.
Study Semester Abroad - Building Surveying
60 credits
60 credits
The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.
Core modules
Building Surveying Professional Practice
20 credits
20 credits
This module aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of professional practice through appreciating individual and organisational needs in the context of the internal and external environment. To understand the role of the professional body, and professional body membership.
Building Surveying Professional Project
20 credits
20 credits
This module brings together topics studied across the Building Surveying programme and integrates their application within a live project scenario. The project also aims to develop professional skills required to make effective decisions in an inclusive working environment.
Productive Workplaces
20 credits
20 credits
In this module students will learn to demonstrate a critical appreciation for the interaction between people, organisations and buildings in order to optimise health, inclusivity, sustainability and productivity.
Research Project
40 credits
40 credits
In this module students will complete a substantial piece of individual work and build on their expertise in a selected area of study related to the disciplines of Real Estate or Building Surveying.
Real Estate and Asset Strategy
20 credits
20 credits
In this module students understand how a property portfolio can be improved through strategic planning and management, including the impact of climate change, change management and leadership, financial management and performance and lifecycle costing.
Your Learning Experience
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
You can expect to spend on average 14-16 hours in the classroom which may be in the form of lectures, tutorials and workshops, combined with your own research using our library and the web. You should spend around 35 hours per week in private study.
Work-related Learning
The best way to experience working in the building surveying industry is to undertake a year's professional work placement, either in the UK or overseas, so you can put into practice what you have learnt in your first two years at LJMU. Taking the sandwich option will greatly improve your career prospects and could even lead to a permanent position with your placement employer.
The placement is fully paid and is an invaluable opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience that will add real value to your CV and impress future employers. The direct work experience could also count towards a professional qualification. It can even count towards the professional MRICS qualification.
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
Throughout the course you will have the support of a personal tutor who can provide one-to-one guidance and advice on course-related issues.
If you decide to take up a third year work placement, there is plenty of support available from the Faculty placement team, both in finding and securing the placement, and during the year when one of your tutors will visit you in your workplace to check on your progress.
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
All students perform differently depending on the type of assessment they are asked to do, and so a variety of assessment methods are used. These include exams (open and closed book), coursework (projects, technical reports, reviews, etc), and presentations (individual and group).
Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing.
This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
This programme is delivered in the Byrom Street complex of LJMUs City Campus. Here you'll find high quality lecture theatres, meeting and seminar rooms plus social spaces and a large café. The Avril Robarts Library is just minutes away on Tithebarn Street.
Not only have I established a firm understanding of building surveying, but have also gained an invaluable amount of commercial awareness. This has undoubtedly come from the lecturers delivering the course and their ability to draw upon personal industry experience and deliver that to the students. I would recommend this course to any individual with even just a slight interest in surveying, as once you join the course you realise how broad of a discipline it really is and the vast amount of skills you will ascertain.
Course tutors
-
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Career paths
Do you want a varied professional career with many challenges and good employment prospects? If so then becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor may be the career for you.
Do you want a varied professional career with many challenges and good employment prospects? If so then becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor may be the career for you.
The most likely route to go down once you graduate is to become a building surveyor in commercial building management or housing and social building provision. Some of our graduates go on to run their own practices or become partners in established building surveying practices once they become professionally qualified.
Building Surveying is a varied profession operating in both the public and private sectors covering both residential and commercial clients. Chartered Building Surveyors offer expert advice on all aspects of land, property and construction for both private and public companies, including:
- inspecting and surveying existing buildings, proposing and managing refurbishment projects, appraising buildings for new uses, conserving listed buildings
- providing advice on building defects and failures, diagnosis of defects and specification of remedial work
- property legislation advice – party wall issues, building
- regulations and planning permission issues
- project management services, working with clients, preparing outline designs and specifications, refurbishment work carrying out building surveys and measured survey
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.
Professional accreditation/links
This degree has a very high standing both professionally and academically. It is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
If you complete relevant work experience within two years of obtaining your degree, you will qualify for the professional qualification of Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).
Furthermore, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) placed it amongst the top 15% of building surveying courses in the country.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees:
- Home fee:
- £9,535
- Placement year:
- £1,905
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
- International fee:
- £18,250
- Placement year international:
- £3,830
Courses_UG_Fees_Funding_Subheading_International
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Early Bird Tuition Fee discount
We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.
To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC-ABB (112-128)
Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff Calculator.
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.
GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
A levels
BBC-ABB Minimum Number of A Levels: 2
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
BTECs
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Access awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 points
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
OCR Cambridge Technical
Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM
Irish awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
T levels
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area.
International requirements
IELTS
6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.
https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We are looking for students who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess. We want students with the ability to: be creative with ideas and concepts, moderate their creativity with logic, be enthusiastic and thirsty for knowledge, communicate effectively and confidently and understand and adapt to a wide range of issues connected with the subject.
It is also important that students are able to manage time and tasks effectively as an individual and as part of a team, use appropriate sources to find and organise information and select and critically evaluate information in order to analyse problems.
If you would like to develop these skills further, have a strong interest in this subject area and want to work effectively within it, then this is the course for you. International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.
Your student experience
There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree
Accommodation
As a new student at LJMU, we guarantee accommodation right in the heart of the dynamic city centre, with easy access to the main University campuses.
You can view our approved accommodation to see the halls that we offer to new students.
Your future awaits
The LJMU experience is life-changing. We are a thriving, vibrant university located at the heart of Liverpool - fully equipped to give you everything you need to achieve your goals. You will meet people who will shape the course of your future and make friends that will last a lifetime. It's quite a ride... is this exactly what you're looking for?
Living in Liverpool
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Sports, societies and lifestyle
Getting involved in sports, clubs and societies at Liverpool John Moores University is a great way to challenge yourself, meet people who share your interests, and feel more connected to the University community.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes.
Your campus
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