Construction Quantity Surveyor (Degree Apprenticeship)
Part-time
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
As a Construction Quantity Surveyor, you will manage all costs relating to construction projects. The Construction Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship 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 Construction Law, Dispute Resolution, Sustainable Design, Value Management and more.
Accredited, engaging learning
Our Construction Quantity Surveyor 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 experienced teaching team’s strong links with the architecture, 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 developed for and by industry.
- Gain the skills and knowledge to advance your career and undertake a range of Quantity Surveying roles in the construction industry.
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You are looking to progress in the construction industry by combining work and study.
You are interested in developing the skills and expertise needed to manage costs relating the procurement and financial management of construction work.
You want to develop the knowledge and confidence required to solve problems, communicate effectively and embrace change.
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 positive impact we can have on people's lives, places we inhabit and the wider socio-economic environment.
All about the course
Delivered over three years, our Construction Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship blends theoretical knowledge with the applied professional skills and competencies you’ll need in your career. The programme provides a platform for you to progress in the construction industry, as well as offering a route into further study. Successful completion of this apprenticeship leads to a BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Building – MCIOB.
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 a degree apprenticeship work?
The degree apprenticeship route will enable you to work and study for your degree. Your employer and/or the government will pay your tuition fees for your apprenticeship course.
There are two distinct components to the degree apprenticeship – the academic degree 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 degree 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 degree. To do this, your employer must be able to support you - this is a requirement of the apprenticeship.
Construction Process Management
You will develop a critical awareness and understanding of the construction process, at all stages, from inception to delivery. You will gain a practical understanding of the methods and techniques used in the planning and production stages of a construction project and competence in their application. This module will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of how effective planning and control of resources impacts on the control of a construction project and the supply chain. You will be able to understand and evaluate the concepts of risk and value and examine and apply techniques for their control and consider and review environmental impact, health & safety and other constraints on the construction process.
Technology 2
You will enhance your knowledge and skills to describe, explain, evaluate, compare and apply building construction techniques and materials used in typical medium to large span single storey buildings and multi-storey industrial/commercial buildings. You will develop an understanding of both historic and contemporary construction techniques for medium to large buildings. You will learn to identify and critically review alternative construction technologies, and make informed decisions and recommendations.
Procurement and Administration
This module enables you to explore and differentiate the principal types of procurement systems and associated contracts used in the UK, you will also explore the fundamental procedures related to contract administration.
Construction Economics
You will build a theoretical and practical understanding of how construction costs can be controlled at the pre-contract and post contract stages. You will also learn how alternative design solution can impact on life cycle costs and the methods used to establish costs.
QS Private and Commercial Practice 2
You will understand advanced measurement and quantification relating to construction work by using measurement guidelines and principles. Using relevant ICT, you will develop detailed knowledge of estimating and cost management methods for construction projects and understand valuation methods during the construction stages.
Multi-Disciplinary Project
This project is an opportunity to experience collaborative working in multi-disciplinary team. It will promote reflection on individual and team working and the nature of built environment projects. You will practice and further develop key skills required by a built environment professional. You will also develop written/oral communication, team working and inter-personal skills.
Risk and Value Management
You will understand and learn to differentiate the processes, tools and techniques used to evaluate risk and value management of construction and property activities. The module content will also encourage you to explore and explain how risk and value management techniques can optimise whole life cost solutions for construction and property activities.
QS 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.
Sustainable Design and Construction
You will develop comprehensive recognition of the principles of sustainable design and their application in the practice of construction. The module content aims to reinforce the relationship between sustainable design and construction processes.
Construction Law and Dispute Resolution
You will expand your knowledge of construction law, raise your commercial awareness and learn to consider risk management from a commercial perspective. You will explore the nature and causes of disputes between contracting parties and stakeholders in the construction industry, and the mechanisms for dispute avoidance and resolution.
QS Discipline Project 2
You will work in a disciplinary team in the context of a complex refurbishment, design and construction project based environment. The project will highlight the working skills required by quantity surveyors and the real world/problem based scenario they face. The experience will help you to develop a personal development plan based on your learning needs, career aspirations or professional requirements. You will develop a broad knowledge of the principles of civil engineering construction and the measurement capability in accordance with the civil engineering standard method of measurement (CESMM4).
New
Discipline Research Project
The Discipline Research Project (DRP) module is an opportunity for you to independently research an area within your discipline that interests you with the help of a dedicated research supervisor. The module output is a problem focused literature review in this chosen area. The research report is based upon secondary data (i.e. material already published) and does not involve the collection of primary data (i.e. interviews or questionnaires for example).
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?
Following completion of the programme, you will be prepared to advance in your career and undertake a range of Quantity Surveying roles. These include:
- Construction Surveyor
- Project Cost Controller
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 degree courses.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
To apply for a degree 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 degree apprenticeship scheme using the UK Government's national apprenticeship website.
DELIVERY
The programme is delivered on a part-time, day release basis over a three-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
104 points
Level four
Pass in a related subject such as HNC or CertHE, for entry to level 5. Related subjects include Architecture, Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Studies, Estate Management
Foundation degree
Pass in a related subject for entry to level 5. Related subjects include Architecture, Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Studies, Estate Management
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 degree apprenticeship programme is £18,000. 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 Surveyor standard has been allocated the following funding band:
Funding band maximum: £18,000
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