Start an exciting professional career as a building surveyor, advising clients about sustainable property, retro-fit and building adaptions and improvements.
Learn how to evaluate the design, specification and performance of buildings. Develop skills in building inspection and analysis, and use industry-standard equipment to recognise and tackle defects, and identify technical problems in construction.
There are opportunities to get hands-on in specialist labs for materials and testing, environmental science and design, and surveying. You’ll also work in design and AutoCAD studios.
You’ll work independently and as part of larger teams, helping you understand where building surveyors ‘fit in’. Together, you’ll go on site visits, attend talks given by professionals, and learn how to manage projects. This puts you in a strong position for employment in this interesting and varied field.
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Our course is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). When you graduate, you can take your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and qualify as a Chartered Surveyor.
Hear more about our BSc (Hons) Building Surveying degree in Chelmsford.
Why ARU?
Gain a full range of skills, from converting buildings to performing surveys and valuations.
Use specialist facilities and equipment, including AutoCAD studios and testing and surveying labs.
Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
Benefit from strong industry links with professional institutions, local firms and building surveying experts.
I'm constantly learning from informative and instructive lecturers. I would highly recommend this course to anyone interested in surveying or construction.
David, BSc (Hons) Building Surveying
As a skilled Building Surveying graduate, you’ll be in demand.
Our hands-on course offers opportunities to experience construction environments, as well as inspecting and valuing buildings. You'll also get a grounding in administering minor and intermediate building works procured by traditional contracts for the private and public sector. This will enhance your employability and give you a taste of some of the places you could work.
ARU graduates of full-time building courses earn, on average, £28,000 15 months after graduation, rising to £40,500 after five years.
When you graduate, you’ll hold a qualification that is highly regarded by employers and consultancy firms in the built-environment sector.
A RICS-accredited degree is recognised in many countries, which is especially important if you think you might like to work abroad for any length of time. It’s also a significant stepping stone towards professional RICS qualification. As a graduate, you can take your Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and qualify as a Chartered Surveyor.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a postgraduate degree such as our MSc Construction Project Management or MSc Project Management. It’s a great opportunity to build upon your knowledge or develop a specialism. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Building Surveying graduates find opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Organisations such as the NHS, housing associations, councils and property asset managers all employ surveyors, as does the consultancy sector of chartered surveying firms and multi-disciplinary practices.
We want you to be a step ahead when you graduate, so we offer:
We’re here to help you develop your CV and find that all-important role after graduation. Our Employability Service offers tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, help to complete job applications, and much more. You’ll have 24/7 access to an online Careers Centre too, which is packed with useful resources.
The support continues after you graduate, with lifelong access to our Alumni Career Centre.
Building surveying: a great career if you want to make a difference – and see the difference you are making!
Andrew Shepherd MRICS, Senior Lecturer
By studying Building Surveying at ARU, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the industry.
Looking at both residential and commercial buildings, we'll cover site surveying, CAD drawing, BIM modules, construction management processes, techniques and materials, design analysis, sustainability, and contractual, legal, economic, financial, and health and safety aspects.
You’ll learn about the costs and complications involved in extending, adapting, altering and conserving existing buildings. You’ll also consider building defects – from analysis and diagnosis to remedial action – and examine a building development project from inception to completion.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
Year 1
BIM and Dimensional Control (30 credits)
Technology and Structures (30 credits)
Health and Safety Project Control and Resourcing (30 credits)
Law and Economics (30 credits)
Into ARU
Year 2
Management Practice (15 credits)
Project Administration (15 credits)
Building Inspection and Analysis
Property and Land Law (15 credits)
Advanced Technology and Environmental Impact (30 credits)
Building Surveying Documentation (15 credits)
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
Conversion and Adaptation of Buildings (15 credits)
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
Year 3
Work Placement School of Engineering and the Built Environment (120 credits)
It's possible to study this course part-time. You'll take the same modules as BSc/BA (Hons) students, but sometimes in a different order or in different years.
As a part-time student you'll typically study for twice as long as full-time students; for example if the BSc/BA (Hons) course takes three years, you can expect to study over six years, though for some courses the part-time length may differ.
A foundation year prepares you for the rest of your course, and focuses on general skills such as researching and referencing, numeracy and ICT, and communication. We'll also start to look at some more subject-specific topics.
Your placement year is a chance to put everything you’ve learnt in Years 1 and 2 into practice. Spend typically 9-12 months working for an organisation, developing your skills and gaining valuable work experience. Our Placements Team is here to help you secure a placement.
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Building Surveying
Facilities
As a student at ARU you’ll use industry-standard equipment to learn how to conduct site surveys and property inspections.
Facilities include design and AutoCAD studios, a materials and testing laboratory, environmental science and design laboratory, and a surveying laboratory. You'll also benefit from extensive library and IT resources.
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
See entry requirements for the BA or BSc (Hons)
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
International students
We welcome applications from international and EU students, and accept a range of international qualifications.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.
£4,767UK students starting 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
Part-time fee notes
Part-time course fees assume that you’re studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity, or 60 credits per year). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period, or for more credits. All fees are for guidance purposes only. Your offer letter will contain full details of credits and fees, or you can contact us if you'd like more information.
Paying your tuition fees If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.
If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.
Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals benefiting from citizens’ rights under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement.
£4,767UK students starting 2026/27 (part-time, per year)
Part-time fee notes
Part-time course fees assume that you’re studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity, or 60 credits per year). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period, or for more credits. All fees are for guidance purposes only. Your offer letter will contain full details of credits and fees, or you can contact us if you'd like more information.
Paying your tuition fees If you're a UK student, you don't need the money to pay for university now.
If you accept an offer to study at university, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees.
Both full-time and part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. You'll start repaying the loan in the April after you graduate.
Travel expenses to survey sites around Chelmsford: £60
This course includes an optional placement year. The placement year fee is:
£1,500 (2025-26)
£1,700 (2026-27)
You will be responsible for covering the cost of travelling to your placement during your placement year. This cost could vary significantly depending on where your placement is located, where you live during your course and how you travel.
Living at university
We understand that affordability is an important issue when you’re thinking about studying at university.
The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking.
Costs may also be lower if you're living at home. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
accommodation
bills
internet, mobile phone and calls
travel
food and drink
socialising and going out
study materials.
Most full-time UK students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover living costs. More about maintenance loans.
Our Money Advice Service is on hand if you’d like to chat about living costs, budgets and managing your money. You can also find out more about student finance at one of our Open Days.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, which provide extra financial support while you’re at university.
If you're eligible for a scholarship, you'll generally receive it automatically – there's no need to apply.
Our campus employment bureau, ARU Temps, can help you find part-time work that fits around your studies. It's a great chance to enhance your CV and boost your income while you study.
Andrew Shepherd