35727/081215

2015/16 entry
MSc Quantity Surveying
Module information
www.ucem.ac.uk

This table indicates the modules included in this

course and the structure which they follow.
Should you require further information about the
modules, please contact admissions@ucem.ac.uk
2 years (standard route).
An 18 month accelerated route is also available.

Yr

September Semester

March Semester

Law for Surveyors

Contract Administration & Practice

Sustainable & Innovative Construction

Building Economics

Professional Cost Management

Procurement & Tendering

Students on the September entry

Please note:
Students can either start in September or March

Management of Construction

Where considered necessary to do so at any stage, UCEM

may seek to make variations to programme content, entry
requirements and methods of delivery, and to discontinue,
merge or combine programmes. This is subject to
consultation with relevant students and other stakeholders,
setting out the reasons for the proposed amendment(s),
and compliance with the requirements of the UCEM Code
of Practice on Programme Monitoring, Amendment, Review
and Discontinuation. Should such an eventuality occur
during the admissions and registration process, applicants
will be informed immediately of any change and the
alternative arrangements that have been put in place.

PG Project

PG Project

Students on the March entry

Management of Construction

Core Modules

Elective Modules

Year 1
Law for Surveyors (core)
Aims
This module enables students to develop a systematic understanding of aspects of the English legal system pertinent to the real
estate and construction sectors.
Within this sector-specific context, this module aims to examine:
an overview of the English legal system
the importance of the fundamental principles of contract law
the importance of the law of tort
important aspects of land law
principles of dispute avoidance and analysis of the various methods of dispute resolution.
Indicative Content
1) Legal introduction to legal methods

8) Negligence

2) Formation of a valid contract

9) Defective premises

3) Factors that affect the validity of a contract

10) Ownership of land

4) Contents of a contract

11) Easements

5) Discharge of contract

12) Covenants

6) General liability in tort

13) Dispute avoidance

7) Direct and indirect interference with land

14) Dispute resolution

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

P.1

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - problem based questions requiring reasoned answers comprising 3000-3500 word written work

50%

Assessment 2 - problem based questions requiring reasoned answers comprising 3000-3500 word written work

50%

Pass mark: 50%

Contract Administration and Practice (core)

Aims
This module covers the administration of construction contracts from contract commencement through to final certification.
The various standard forms of construction contracts are investigated. The module aims to examine:
various standard forms of contract and sub-contract such as JCT, NEC3 and FIDIC
the common conditions of contract and the interaction between the conditions of contract and the other contract terms
the practicalities of contract administration.
Indicative Content
1) Contracts and contract documentation

8) Sub-contractors and suppliers

2) JCT forms

9) Interim and final payments

3) NEC3 forms

10) Management and contract change

4) FIDIC forms

11) Performance and advance payment bonds

5) The importance of the housing, grants, construction and

regeneration act 1996

12) Retention and defects correction

6) Roles and responsibilities

14) Termination

7) Time and risk management

15) Dispute resolution

13) Dispute avoidance

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - Report (2500 - 3000 words) - A problem based question requiring recommendation of a course of action.

40%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 2.5 Hours - Students are given sight of the framework questions two weeks before the assessment date 60%

Pass mark: 50%

Sustainable and Innovative Construction (core)

Aims
This module develops the principles of construction technology, including modern, innovative and traditional construction. It
enables students to critically assess appropriate innovative construction technology within the framework of a sustainable built
environment, taking account of relevant codes and regulations.
This module aims to examine:
construction principles and technology with reference to sustainability
innovative building technology principles
sustainability in the built environment context
sustainable and innovative construction methods.

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

P.2

Indicative Content
1) Environmental and sustainability impacts on construction
technology

7) Framed structures

2) Innovative construction technology

9) Cladding to frames

3) Design, quality and performance of sustainable and

innovative materials

10) Roofs

4) Temporary works
5) Substructure works
6) Traditional construction

8) Modern methods of construction

11) Floors and stairs

12) Finishes
13) Services
14) Fire precautions

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - 3000-3500 word report - The assignment will link construction technology to sustainable and innovative solutions

50%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 2 hours

50%

Pass mark: 50%

Building Economics (core)

Aims
This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of commercial aspects of a construction project during
the pre-contract phase including costs, financing, value management and cost control and, where applicable, the profitability of
development opportunities.
This module enables students to:
critically appraise development opportunities
comprehensively examine the provision of cost advice provided during the pre-contract phase of a construction project
evaluate the cost impact of sustainability on projects.
Indicative Content
1) An introduction to valuation

9) Sources of cost information for pre-contract cost control

2) The real estate development process

10) Methods used in pre-contract cost control:

Part 1 - order of cost estimating

3) Appraisal of development properties by the

residual method
4) Sensitivity analysis

11) Methods used in pre-contract cost control:

Part 2 - cost planning

5) Contamination and its effect on value

12) Value management

6) Finance for development including PFI

13) BIM: pre-contract cost control

7) Factors that affect the cost of buildings

14) Life cycle costing + BIM: life cycle costing

8) Pre-contract cost control

15) Sustainability

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - 2,000 - 2,500 word coursework

30%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 3 hours

70%

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

Pass mark: 50%

P.3

Year 2
Management of Construction (core)
Aims
This module considers both the personnel and organisational aspects of construction management, with a focus on the
managers of construction projects. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the skills required in managing, planning and
controlling the safe implementation of a construction project.
The module aims to examine:
the construction management environment
the implications of health and safety for construction
the personnel skills required of the construction manager
construction management in practice.
Indicative Content
1) The role of the construction manager

8) Partnering and other arrangements for construction

2) BIM and communication

9) Quality of product and Value management

3) Managing change and risk in construction

10) Health & Safety on construction projects

4) Managing construction programmes

5) Planning and programming tools

11) Sustainability and environmental issues for

construction managers

6) Management of resources, plant, materials and labour

12) Industrial Relations, negotiation and decisions

7) Managing project costs & benchmarking

13) Cultural and ethical issues in construction

14) The international context of construction

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - 3000-3500 word report - The assignment will provide construction management problems for solution

50%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 2 hours

50%

Pass mark: 50%

Professional Cost Management (core)

Aims
This module explores a range of issues and challenges which contribute to the development of the cost management aspects of
the quantity surveying profession. It develops the knowledge, understanding and skills in cost management required to operate
in a dynamic and contemporary construction environment.
This module aims to examine:
complex problems and how to provide added value in the area of professional management of costs
underlying concepts and theoretical principles in the measurement and quantification of construction projects
the future requirements of a professional cost manager working in the construction industry.

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

P.4

Indicative Content
2) Procurement, tendering, programmes and planning

8) Soft landings, life cycle costing and their impact on

sustainability

3) Project financial control and reporting

9) Supply chain management

4) Estimating and pricing

10) Three dimensional project modelling( BIM)

5) Sustainable development and costing

11) Quantity surveying conduct rules and ethical practice

6) Value management and cost benefits

12) Measurement - Commercial

7) Risk management and cost benefits

13) Measurement - M&E

1) The development of QS profession globally

14) Measurement - Infrastructure

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - 2,500 - 3,000 word coursework

40%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 2.5 hours

60%

Pass mark: 50%

Procurement and Tendering (core)

Aims
Students will consider the various ways in which construction projects can be procured and the consequent effects of
procurement strategies on tendering.
The module aims to examine:
the effects of project risk allocation on the procurement process and how the choice of procurement method can impact on
the subsequent phases of the project cycle
procurement theories, together with examples of past and current practices
how construction procurement is affected by, and can be used to affect, the wider economy.
Indicative Content
1) Forms of contract

8) BIM and procurement

2) Defining procurement

9) Procurement for programmes of work

3) Project feasibility and brief

10) Sub-contractors and suppliers

4) Risk allocation

11) Developing and agreeing contract strategies

5) Competitive tendering

12) Private finance

6) Negotiation and competitive dialogue

13) EU public and utility procurement

7) Operation and maintenance procurement

14) Government drivers and international perspective

Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - Report (2,500-3,000 words)

40%

Assessment 2 - Examination - 2.5 hours

60%

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

Pass mark: 50%

P.5

Postgraduate Project (core)

Aims
This module requires students to hone their research skills whilst providing them with a vehicle to conduct a self-directed
research project that reflects the culmination of their studies in the relevant programme. The project requires MSc students to
demonstrate strong conceptual and theoretical understanding as applied within a business context.
Indicative Content
1) An introduction to research in organisations
2) Research topic selection and feasibility
3) Theoretical frameworks and literature review
4) Development of hypothesis and aims
5) Development of methodology
6) Research proposals and project plan
7) Framework of the research project
8) Data collection methods
9) Analysing, interpreting and presenting findings from
the data
10) Production of the research report
Assessment
Weighting
Assessment 1 - Research proposal (1,800-2,000 words)

20%

Assessment 2 - Project report (9,000-12,000 words)

80%

University College of Estate Management MSc Quantity Surveying module information ucem.ac.uk

Pass mark: 50%

P.6