Quantity surveying

A quantity surveying degree sets you up for a career in the property and construction industry where you can positively contribute to the built environment

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Architectural technologist
• Building surveyor
• Commercial/residential surveyor
• Construction manager
• Estimator
• Planning and development surveyor
• Project manager
• Quantity surveyor
• Site engineer

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Arbitrator
• Architect
• Building control surveyor
• Building services engineer
• Consulting civil engineer
• Contracting civil engineer
• Estates manager
• Financial manager
• Management consultant
• Production manager
• Rural practice surveyor

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

Gaining practical industry experience alongside your studies can greatly increase your employment prospects. Some quantity surveying degrees include a year-long work placement which can lead to job offers once you've graduated. Employers may also consider sponsoring you for the remainder of your degree, giving you a part-time job while you complete your studies.

You can also look for opportunities elsewhere. Large companies often run summer internship programmes or shorter placements. Check firms' websites for details.

You can make speculative applications to smaller companies that you're interested in who may not advertise their opportunities. Use the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Find a Surveyor facility for company contact details.

You could also look into becoming a RICS student member, which gives you access to industry news and journals as well as networking opportunities. It will also indicate to employers that you have a real enthusiasm and interest in the field.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Common employers of quantity surveying graduates include:

• quantity surveying consultancies
• construction companies, contractors and consultancies
• architects
• project management consultancies
• civil engineering contractors and consultancies
• property firms
• house builders and housing associations
• local authorities
• specialist surveying practices
• specialist tax consultants.

There are also opportunities to work in commercial and operations management or in a project management role with a wide range of companies. You could also move into finance, risk and logistics work with a variety of employers.

Find information on employers in property and construction, business, consulting and management, accountancy, banking and finance and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying quantity surveying provides you with specialist knowledge in cost planning, procurement processes, technical aspects, risk management and the management of construction projects. You'll also gain an understanding of health and safety, legal, financial, political and economic issues and how these impact on construction processes, as well as ethical practices and sustainability.

In addition, you develop many transferable skills that are vital for a range of jobs. These skills include:

• numerical skills
• problem-solving ability
• analytical and data interpretation skills
• negotiation and dispute resolution skills
• the ability to organise your work and meet deadlines
• teamwork and interpersonal skills
• the ability to work independently
• written and verbal communication skills
• presentation skills
• project management skills
• confidence with business management systems
• IT skills and digital literacy.

Further study

On completion of a RICS-accredited quantity surveying degree, you can start to work towards achieving chartered surveyor status in your job. To become chartered and a professional member of RICS, you'll need to complete the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

There are also opportunities to undertake postgraduate study in various areas depending on the direction you'd like your career to take. These include quantity surveying, commercial management, construction project management, strategic project management, and construction law and dispute resolution.

Alternatively, you could consider postgraduate study in related areas including facilities management, finance, business or town and regional planning.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search postgraduate courses in quantity surveying.

What do quantity surveying graduates do?

The vast majority of quantity surveying graduates (90%) in employment in the UK are working as quantity surveyors (80%), construction project managers and related professionals (4%), estimators, valuers and assessors (3%), chartered surveyors (2%), production managers and directors in construction (2%) 15 months after graduation.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.