Building Surveying

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.

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.

This module covers the basic principles and computer software that you will need to understand to enter into a career in the property industry. You will become familiar with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and begin to understand what your preferred pathway into chartership will be.

The module will also help to enhance your academic writing, and you will learn how to undertake referencing at degree level. You will also become conversant in the mandatory competency requirements of the RICS. 

This module aims to provide you with the ability to understand how buildings are constructed and what defects are common given the method of construction. You will also understand how this affects the value of the property. Within this module, you will have the opportunity to develop building construction and pathology knowledge and develop the ability to undertake critical analysis, self-reflection and personal development.

Digital Design Practice aims to develop a knowledge and understanding of the theory and practical application of using industry standard design software for design, measurement, specification, and the production of graphical representations of buildings.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the interactions between a building and its internal and external environments. You will gain a fundamental understanding of the principles involved in building heat transfer, occupant thermal comfort, illumination and acoustics. You will also develop the ability to appraise and critically analyse the choices available to engineers when selecting systems to meet specifications.

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.

The module enables you to work on the building design process, creating practical design solutions and specifications for new and existing buildings, as well as the selection of appropriate materials and construction methods, considering functional, technical, aesthetical, economic, and sustainable feasibility. You will learn how to represent a building project graphically, and apply building design principles to produce building drawings using Computer Aided Design (CAD) techniques and schedules of work. 

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.

This module addresses the basic theory of sustainability within the context of the built environment and key principles of energy efficiency in construction. Throughout the module a range of cultural and intellectual factors including social, political, economic, and technical that shape the built environment are considered. The module fosters broad understanding of energy efficiency construction which takes net zero carbon policies and building physics principles into account. 

The purpose of the module is to provide you with a good working knowledge and understanding of the aims and objectives of delivering a property development scheme. You will be able to identify opportunities, undertake feasibility studies and development appraisals to ascertain the viability of a proposed project or site. You will be required to understand a variety of funding options and how to apply them dependent on your client’s needs.  

This module further enhances your reporting and client advisory skills, allowing application of the main legal principles studied to a range of complex and in-depth problems. You will also learn to apply relevant case law relating to property for a variety of scenarios, such as trespass, nuisance, negligence, party wall matters and a variety of legal issues that often arise in property transactions. This module will help to enhance your professional report writing skills and capacity to act in an advisory manner. You will also address client care and diversity skills.

You will develop your knowledge of good research practice through the completion of a written research proposal and a research document. You will also develop data analysis skills through the collection and critical appraisal of different sources of data.

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 building 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 e.g. RICS.

This module will explore retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency. Key retrofit solutions and underlying causes of potential risks will be investigated, and decision-making proves to avoid these risks will be demonstrated. The module addresses key building maintenance and construction management principles considering assessment methods and innovative technologies.

Conservation and Urban Regeneration aims to provide students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of theories and issues relating to the fields of conservation of historic buildings and urban regeneration. The module will seek to consider a range of relevant contemporary areas including insight into relevant policy and regulatory requirements alongside the professional and ethical codes of professional bodies. Contemporary real world case studies will be studied alongside an overview of theory, policy and practice techniques where experienced practicing professionals will deliver guest lectures providing real world insight and a firm foundation for more advanced study and practice.

The Building Pathology Module at Level 6 looks at the theory and practice of building pathology whilst exploring destructive and non-destructive methods of testing and how buildings are constructed in a modern setting and historical setting analysing materials on differing contexts and the use or misuse of deleterious materials.  

The Building Surveying Professional Practice module aims to further develop a knowledge and understanding of the theories and issues that might impact on the recently graduated surveyor as they move into practice and training roles. The module will seek to consider a range of contemporary areas of interest relating to surveying buildings under the prevailing legal requirements and statutory obligations as well as the professional and ethical codes of the professional bodies.