Quantity Surveyors play a vital role in the construction and civil engineering industry, as they are involved in all financial and contractual aspects of construction projects. Quantity Surveyors can work on a wide variety of projects across different sectors, ranging in size, complexity, and purpose.
Quantity Surveyors are responsible for managing costs and contracts on a broad range of construction projects, from residential developments such as homes and apartments to large-scale commercial projects like office buildings, retail spaces, and hotels. They also oversee cost control and financial management for industrial developments, including factories and warehouses, as well as infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and railways. Their expertise extends to specialised projects like data centres, laboratories, and sustainable green buildings, as well as institutional buildings such as schools, hospitals, and government facilities.
In addition to new construction, Quantity Surveyors are involved in renovation and restoration projects, including historic preservation and building upgrades. They also contribute to mixed-use developments that integrate residential, commercial, and industrial spaces and provide cost management services for recreational facilities like sports complexes and parks. Their role is essential in ensuring that projects are delivered within budget, financially viable, and aligned with contractual and regulatory requirements.
The BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying (Apprenticeship) programme aims to equip apprentices with the knowledge and skills required to practice successfully as a Quantity Surveyor. The programme is structured around three key themes and integrates strong elements of professional practice through cost management, contract administration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The academic delivery is designed to meet the Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship Standards, ensuring apprentices develop both technical and professional competencies.
The programme aligns with the University’s commitment to being a Civic University and the academic theme of Net Zero, addressing the industry’s skills gap while supporting the city and county’s long-term economic growth. Through collaboration with local businesses, the programme contributes to developing a pipeline of skilled Quantity Surveyors who will enhance the regional construction sector. Sustainability is a core focus, with the curriculum embedding UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote responsible and cost-efficient construction practices.
A flexible and dynamic teaching approach is embedded into the programme, offering apprentices a range of learning experiences, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and industry-based projects aligned with local businesses. This ensures that apprentices can apply theoretical knowledge directly to real-world quantity surveying practice.
The Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship equips apprentices with the technical, financial, and managerial skills needed to succeed in cost and contract management across the construction and civil engineering industries. Apprentices combine paid employment with university study, gaining practical experience while working toward a professionally recognised qualification.
The degree apprenticeship integrates 80% workplace learning and 20% off-the-job study through lectures, seminars, site visits, and online learning so that you can relate and apply your learning into practice with the workplace.
The 20% off-the-job learning includes:
- The teaching of theory, e.g. lectures, seminars, tutorial, on-campus learning, on-line learning
- Practical training, shadowing, mentoring, industry visits, lab experiments,
- Learning support and time spent writing assessments/assignments.
The degree apprenticeship forms part of the 20% “off the job” learning. You may also have in-house training courses and preparation for assessments and examinations that will also contribute towards the 20%.
The 80% ‘on-the-job’ learning activities would be designed with The University of Derby and your designated workplace mentor and will depend on your specific job role with your employer.
To facilitate designing of such activities, each module specification has a list of ‘indicative work-related tasks’ for your degree apprenticeship. These learning activities would be undertaken in your workplace to complement and inform the 20% off-the-job learning. Your workplace mentor will support and monitor these activities. These will also be reviewed at meetings between yourself, and your workplace mentor.
The degree apprenticeship is designed to:
- Develop expertise in cost planning, procurement, contract law, risk management, sustainability, and project financial control.
- Prepares apprentices for the End-Point Assessment (EPA) and professional chartership (MRICS/MCIOB).
Upon completion of the degree apprenticeship, graduates progress to chartered status with RICS or CIOB and into professional roles such as Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Manager, Estimator, or Project Surveyor within construction, infrastructure, and property sectors.
The following broad criteria will apply for entry to the academic programme:
- Applicants must be employed in a relevant role.
- Direct entry at Level 5 requires a relevant Level 4 qualification (e.g., HNC in Construction or equivalent)
- The selection of participants is consistent with the University’s equal opportunities policies and sensitive to legal obligations to avoid discrimination on the basis of gender, race or disability.
Such requirements are a guide – we will also consider all the information that you've included in your application, and we want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated.
NOTE: English and Maths; apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-point assessment.
Employers:
Cost of the apprenticeship will normally be in line with the funding band £18,000, but individual agreements will be considered depending on student numbers and involvement of employers.
Apprentices:
Fees will be paid by your employer with government-funded support or through the apprenticeship levy.
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