Construction Quantity Surveying Technician (Apprenticeship)
Part-time
Two year
September 2025
In a nutshell
As a Construction Quantity Surveying Technician, you will monitor and control costs and contracts on construction projects, working to maximise value and ensure that the project is completed within budget. The Construction Quantity Surveying Technician apprenticeship is aimed at new starters in the quantity surveying profession or junior members of the surveying team and will help develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of cost management within the construction industry.
Career-focused curriculum
Designed to support your working role, the course explores the processes involved in quantity surveying, and the strategic management techniques used by professionals. Topics covered include Law and Regulatory Frameworks, Contemporary Construction Techniques, Economics and Management and Sustainable Practice.
Accredited, engaging learning
Providing a pathway to professional status, our Construction Quantity Surveyor Technician apprenticeship will advance your financial, technical and managerial construction related knowledge. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), you’ll be educated to the highest professional standards and able to meet the needs of a changing industry.
Incredible study location
We're excited to offer you a campus-based university experience, minutes from buzzing central Manchester. Our location and industry connections give you access to one of the UK's largest property and construction markets.
You’ll be part of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment and based in the new, purpose-built engineering building, providing an inspiring environment to develop ideas, work collaboratively and share best practice.
You will:
- Develop your skills, knowledge and understanding of cost management within the construction industry.
- Benefit from our teaching team’s strong links with the engineering and construction sectors, both local and international.
- Learn through a range of external guest lecturers, field visits, practitioner-led lectures and real-world problem-solving work.
- Gain the skills and knowledge to advance your career and undertake a range of Quantity Surveying roles.
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You are looking to progress in your career by combining work and study.
You are interested in developing the skills needed to manage costs relating to construction projects.
You want to develop the confidence to get involved with any stage of a project, from design through to demolition.
You’re curious about the impact of the built environment’s carbon footprint.
You have a passion for developing, advancing and shaping the future of the built environment.
You’re enthusiastic about the impact we can have on people's lives, places we inhabit and the socio-economic environment.
All about the course
Course Delivery
Delivered over two years, our Construction Quantity Surveyor Technician apprenticeship course blends theoretical knowledge with the applied professional skills and competencies you’ll need in your career. The programme provides a platform for new starters in the quantity surveying profession to progress in the construction industry, as well as offering a route into further study. Successful completion of this apprenticeship leads to a Level 4 qualification in Construction and Built Environment and Technician status of the Chartered Institute of Building – TechCIOB.
During your studies, you will experience academic seminars and tutorials to build your knowledge. You will also experience project work with other built environment apprentices, mirroring the collaborative approach of modern property and construction industries.
How does an apprenticeship work?
The apprenticeship route will enable you to work and study for your qualification. Your employer and/or the government will pay your tuition fees for your apprenticeship course.
There are two distinct components to the apprenticeship – the academic programme and the work-based assessment. The University as lead provider is responsible for delivering your programme. Your employer is responsible for delivering the work-based assessment components.
We will work with your employer to:
- Assure that knowledge you gain on the apprenticeship can be successfully applied in the workplace
- Ensure that you can evidence the standards and practices required to meet the professional competencies contained in the apprenticeship standard
We will create an annual programme timetable, which will include your lectures, seminars and tutorials. You will receive your timetable once you registered as a student.
As part of the course, you will work towards an End-point Assessment with an Engineering Institution, which will take place after you complete the academic qualification. To do this, your employer must be able to support you - this is a requirement of the apprenticeship.
Introduction to Law and Regulatory Frameworks
You will be introduced to English law and relevant statutory requirements for studying for vocational qualifications in the construction and property professions. The module also introduces you to the workings of the English legal system, to the law relating to contracts and to the regulatory framework affecting the use, management and development of land, in particular, planning, building control and the CDM regulations.
Technology 1
You will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical low-rise, domestic type buildings, with a focus on contemporary construction techniques. You will develop a systematic understanding of the sustainable practices involved in building construction.
Quantity Surveying Private and Commercial Practice 1
You will explore the role of the quantity surveyor in the contemporary construction industry. You will learn to quantify basic domestic building construction work, using industry measurement guidelines and principles. You will also learn to estimate and prepare bills for domestic building construction, understand the tendering processes and apply ICT to quantity surveying practice.
Quantity Surveying Discipline Project 1
This project is an opportunity to develop investigation skills using case studies. You will develop an awareness of the key quantity surveying skills used in a real world/problem based scenario. The module will encourage you to develop self-discipline, personal planning/organisation and reflection, whilst also developing your communication and personal skills.
Economics and Management
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic economic concepts and principles of the economic environment in which the construction and property industry operates and knowledge of management theories in the construction context. You will be able to discuss the key role of the construction industry in the economy, current economic issues and management challenges in the construction and property context.
Introduction to the Role of the Quantity Surveyor
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the role of the quantity surveyor and the activities a quantity surveyor would undertake in the pre-construction phase of a project. The module progresses understanding of the processes of financial and cost control during the construction phase of a project and involves the area of contract administration during the pre-construction and construction phases of a project.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers and industry leaders. We have close links with employers in the Manchester area, throughout the North West and further afield, with local and national contractors, consultants and clients choosing to educate and train their staff through our apprenticeship programmes.
Shaped by industry and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to become unstoppable in your career.
Facilities
The School of Science, Engineering and Environment is housed in the new, purpose-built engineering building providing an inspiring environment to develop ideas, work collaboratively and share best practice. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library, the learning zone and computer laboratories.
Salford is also home to Energy House 1 and 2.0 – the only fully climate-controlled research facilities of their kind in the world. These sensor-packed environmental chambers that can replicate almost any weather conditions accommodate full-sized houses and provides vital data for researchers and industry professionals.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Following completion of the programme, you will be prepared to advance in your career and undertake a range of Quantity Surveying roles. These include:
- Quantity Surveying Technician
- Assistant Cost Engineer
- Assistant Cost Analyst and more
FURTHER STUDY
You might find you want to learn more about the built environment, so we offer a range of post-study options to help you take your career and interests even further. Salford graduates and alumni will also receive a significant fees discount.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
Applicants should have a passion for the built environment and a desire to gain an understanding of how projects are procured, built and delivered. Apprentices should have a willingness to engage in group activities, be curious about the impact of the built environment’s carbon footprint and enthused by the positive impact we can have on people's lives, places we inhabit and the wider socio-economic environment.
In addition to our academic entry requirements, we also look for certain characteristics in our applicants which include focus, determination, communication skills, and a willingness to find solutions. Possessing these characteristics will not only help you to fulfil your potential at university but are also an essential requisite for a successful career in the built environment.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, and we also accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our courses.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
To apply for an apprenticeship, you will need to be currently in full-time employment (minimum 30 hours a week), spending at least 50% of your time in England. If you are not in employment, you can search for employers participating in the apprenticeship scheme using the UK Government's national apprenticeship website.
DELIVERY
The programme is delivered on a part-time, day release basis over a two-year period, subject to agreement by your employer and us.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Please be aware of the application deadline below. If an application hasn’t been received by this date, consideration will be given for the next available intake.
September 2025 Intake – The application deadline is July 2025
GCSE
English Language and Mathematics at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
UCAS tariff points
72 points
BTEC National Diploma
National Diploma MPP
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to successfully pursue a programme of study in higher education. Students who do not have the traditional entry requirements may be able to apply through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme. Support in preparing for the written assessment is available from the University.
How much?
The cost of the full apprenticeship programme is £9,000. The cost of the apprenticeship will be covered by your employer and/or the government. You will need to cover the cost of any study materials plus travel to and from campus if required.
Apprenticeship Funding
The apprenticeship levy was introduced in April 2017 and requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of over £3 million each year to invest in apprenticeships.
The funding policy supports the changes to the way apprenticeships in England are paid for, underpinned by the apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of the annual pay bill for companies paying over £3 million per year.
There is also a co-investment model for companies who will not be paying into the levy. The government will cover 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship and the employer will only have to contribute the remaining 5%. Once payments have been declared to HMRC, employers will now have access to a digital apprenticeship account from which they will be able to access funding to pay for apprenticeship training.
The maximum amount of money allocated to each standard falls into one of 15 funding bands, ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The Construction Quantity Surveying Technician standard has been allocated the following funding band:
Funding band maximum: £9,000
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
All Set? Let's Apply?
Not in Employment
To apply for an apprenticeship, you must first be employed with a company willing to enrol you on the apprenticeship programme.
The government national apprenticeship website has further information on this. The website also advertises vacancies for apprentices.
Unfortunately, the University does not hold details of employer vacancies.
In Employment
Speak with the apprentice lead in your organisation in the first instance as they will provide the funding and will make initial contact with the Apprenticeship Services Unit. Your employer will need to confirm that they'll fund and support your enrolment with the University.
If you are currently in employment with a company that is willing to support you through an apprenticeship, then they will need to contact us in the first instance to express their interest in the apprenticeship programme and this will trigger the application process.
For general apprenticeship enquiries email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk phone: +44 (0)161 295 3063 or complete the contact us form