Course summary

With BSc Building Surveying you will analyse building performance and material lifecycles to establish the cause and effect of building defects. This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in building surveying. You will benefit from the Department's strong links with industry and the surveying profession. Additionally, the degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institute of Building. (Accreditation is reviewed periodically. Successful completion of courses accredited by CIOB and RICS satisfies the academic requirements for membership of CIOB and RICS.) As with all of our surveying and construction courses, the programme structure provides an opportunity to explore a range of construction-related disciplines prior to specialising in the final year. You will be able to transfer onto other courses, such as BSc Quantity Surveying or BSc Construction Management, at the end of your second year if you wish to do so. A particular emphasis is placed on transferable skills and University of Reading graduates are renowned for rapid progression to senior positions within professional firms. 100% of our research is of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4, 3 and 2* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning) and 100% of our research impact has been classed outstanding or very considerable (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Architecture, Built Environment and Planning). Many members of staff within the School are active in research and consultancy. This ensures that the course reflects not only the very best of current practice, but also the latest developments in areas such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and sustainability. Your first two years are designed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the disciplines which underpin construction management and the surveying professions. This will include subjects such as economics, law, professional practice and building technology. Recurring themes throughout the course include the application of digital technologies, extending from working with hand-held tablets to the use of aerial drones for roof surveys. There is an especially strong focus on project work and interdisciplinary collaboration. Recent projects have included a school in the Gambia and another in Malawi. Furthermore, we place a strong focus on employability and you will have the opportunity to network with industry professionals throughout the course. You will also be encouraged to take up a placement over the summer between your second and final years, for which you will gain credits which contribute towards your degree. Additionally, there is an option to spend a year in industry, in the UK or abroad. (Placements and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability and eligibility guidelines.) The final year of the BSc Building Surveying course is designed to develop the technical and practical skills needed for the inspection and analysis of buildings. You will also complete a dissertation on a research topic of your choice and a building surveying project, in which you will survey a building in need of repair and refurbishment and will produce a viable recommendation of proposed work for a client. Additionally you can explore areas of interest through optional modules on subjects such as green innovation, historic built environments, construction contract law, and modern languages. Placements You can carry out a paid industrial training placement, lasting a year or a shorter period. This experience not only provides you with an insight into industry, but is also a valuable opportunity to get to know a range of industry professionals. Placements can be located anywhere in the UK, and sometimes take place abroad. Firms offering places to our students in the past include Deloitte, Faithful and Gould, Lambert Smith Hampton, Rider Levett Bucknall, and Savills.