Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Build your future with our distance learning Building Surveying Masters.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the course will teach you all you need to know to succeed in your building surveyor career.
From developing your knowledge of the key concepts and frameworks related to built environment disciplines to specific building surveying skills - such as how to diagnose building defects, refurbish existing buildings, facilities management, monitor contracts and procurement and beyond - this Masters degree will enhance your professional profile and earning potential.
Our RICS accreditation is a reflection of our high standards of teaching. It also shows that you’ll be learning industry relevant content which can be applied in everyday working life, before and after graduation.
Start in January, April, July or October and gain a respected building surveyor qualification around in two to four years. Plus, you'll be able to pay your fees in module by module instalments, spreading the cost out over the duration of your studies.
If you have a question about this degree, visit our Building Surveying FAQs
Build your future with our distance learning Building Surveying Masters.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the course will teach you all you need to know to succeed in your building surveyor career.
From developing your knowledge of the key concepts and frameworks related to built environment disciplines to specific building surveying skills - such as how to diagnose building defects, refurbish existing buildings, facilities management, monitor contracts and procurement and beyond - this Masters degree will enhance your professional profile and earning potential.
Our RICS accreditation is a reflection of our high standards of teaching. It also shows that you’ll be learning industry relevant content which can be applied in everyday working life, before and after graduation.
Start in January, April, July or October and gain a respected building surveyor qualification around in two to four years. Plus, you'll be able to pay your fees in module by module instalments, spreading the cost out over the duration of your studies.
If you have a question about this degree, visit our Building Surveying FAQs
Level of Study
Postgraduate
Mode of Study
2 years Distance Learning
Department
Architecture and Built Environment
Location
Ellison Building, Newcastle City Campus
City
Newcastle
Start
Upcoming Intakes: January 2025, April 2025, July 2025
Fees
Fee Information
Modules
Module Information
Watch our videos below to hear more about the course from academic Julie Clarke and to discover the reasons you should choose our MSc.
Discover more about our alternative online Surveying MSc pathways.
We have a number of experienced academics on our Masters. Below are just some of those who may be teaching you on this course.
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree.
Applicants with other qualifications and relevant professional experience may apply and be judged individually on merit.
International qualifications
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language requirements
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Full UK Fee: £10,460
Full International Fee: £10,460
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
It is vital that DL students have regular internet access to access the Blackboard Ultra e-learning portal, which contains online learning materials, in-course communication tools, advice and support services. The recommended computer operating systems are: Windows 7 or newer, Mac OSX 10.6 or newer, Linux – chromeOS, Mobile – iOS 7 or newer/Android 4.2 or newer
Applying for this course is quick and easy, and can be done using our online applicant portal.
As part of the application process, you’ll need to upload a selection of important documents including:
If you are a non standard applicant, you will also need to send us two professional / personal references on headed paper.
After receiving your application, our Applicant Services team will aim to respond to you as soon as possible.
You are advised to apply early to secure your place and organise any sponsorship, scholarships or funding.
The University reserves the right at any stage to request applicants and enrolling students to provide additional information about any aspect of their application or enrolment. In the event of any student providing false or inaccurate information at any stage, and/or failing to provide additional information when requested to do so, the University further reserves the right to refuse to consider an application, to withdraw registration, rescind home fees status where applicable, and/or demand payment of any fees or monies due to the University.
Listed below are the modules that you will study on this course. Delivered in a flexible carousel structure, the order in which you study your modules will vary depending on when you begin the course. Please note, modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change between academic years. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes. If you have any questions about this, or our carousel structure, please get in touch on +44 (0) 191 276 4874 or at DLstudentenquiries@northumbria.ac.uk
PE7009 -
Building Pathology For Practitioners (20 Credits)
In this module you will examine in detail the causes, symptoms, investigation and diagnosis of building defects and consider the implications of fire safety and acoustics on the design, refurbishment and appraisal of existing buildings.
You will study a range of topics to support this:
• Building Surveys
• Dampness – causes, symptoms and diagnosis
• Movement in buildings – causes, symptoms and diagnosis
• Timber defects – causes, symptoms and diagnosis
• Asbestos in buildings – recognition and regulations
• Concrete defects – causes, symptoms and diagnosis
• Defects in structural frames, roofs and claddings
• Diagnostic techniques for building pathology
• Flooding and Flood damage
• Fire safety engineering covering fire, smoke and escape
• Services maintenance
• Sound, vibration and acoustic design
On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding that you have acquired forms part of the core knowledge for the study of building surveying.
Throughout this module you will develop academic and professional skills relating to effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of the surveyor in investigating and assessing defects.
PE7018 -
Law and Surveying Professional Practice (20 Credits)
In this module you will be introduced to the legal system and professional practice concepts that underpin the role of the surveying professional. You will initially study key professional competencies that form part of the RICS mandatory competencies and the CIH code of professional standards. You will then explore key principles contained within the English legal system as they pertain to practice such as legal reasoning and legislation.
Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:
* Professional competencies
o Professional ethics
o Professionalism and client care
o Communication and avoiding/resolving conflicts
o RICS competencies and continuing professional development
* Legal systems
o Introduction to the English legal system and legal study skills
o Contract Law and the formation of contracts
o Contract law and associated problems
o Land law
o Tort
o Landlord and tenant law
On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding that you have acquired will form part of the broader contextual framework that will prepare you for the further, detailed study of your chosen discipline.
You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of professionalism and ethics within practice.
PE7001 -
Research Based Study (40 Credits)
In this module you will design and implement a substantive research based investigation in order to address a self-selected, authentic work based or professional/practice related problem within your discipline area. This student-led, independent study allows you to synthesize and apply previous learning and experience, and build upon existing academic, research and personal skills.
You will learn how to effectively engage with the research process in an applied context. Aspects will include:
• Application of appropriate research questions
• Critical evaluation of existing literature and other sources to develop conceptual and theoretical frameworks for analysis
• Application of research theory and methods in implementing a piece of research in practice, including critical awareness of research theory, approaches, methods and ethics.
• Application of frameworks to provide an integrated critical analysis of theory and data to identify evidence based conclusions and recommendations where appropriate
• Project management
You will develop your skills as autonomous, reflective learners in the process of completing the research based study.
An in-depth and complex understanding of the chosen area of your professional discipline, and the skills developed in this module, will be demonstrated in a scholarly, academically rigorous research based study article The advanced knowledge gained through original data collection and analysis, and theoretically informed critical evaluation, will have the potential to contribute to the relevant disciplinary community of practice.
PE7006 -
Contract Administration and Practice (20 Credits)
In this module you will gain an understanding of, and examine, the role of the surveyor in managing property, construction contracts and the design process. You will learn to identify and analyse the key theories and procedures within construction projects including procurement, tendering and contract selection. You will understand how these are integrated within the roles and duties of the contract administrator and health and safety practice. An understanding of design principles and practice along with specification writing will further enhance your practical skills and compliment the theoretical knowledge learnt.
You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the use and evaluation of data; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of ethics and corporate social responsibility within businesses.
PE7004 -
Construction and Sustainable Technologies (20 Credits)
In this module you will learn the fundamentals of construction technology in the context of a society’s aim of mitigating climate change. The syllabus includes the processes and technology of commercial and domestic construction, both current and the recent past to equip graduates with the knowledge to manage the construction, maintenance and development of property assets. The importance of the environmental impact of materials and the use of life cycle costing to enhance sustainability will supplement the teaching of low carbon construction technology and energy sources.
Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:
• Construction technology
o The structural elements, finishes and services found in typical low rise domestic construction.
o The structural elements, finishes and services found in commercial and industrial property.
• Low carbon design
o Site selection and building orientation
o Passive low carbon design in the domestic and commercial field
o Water conservation
o Green roof and wall applications
o Sustainable urban drainage
• Renewable energy applications
o Photovoltaic applications
o Biomass heating
o Ground and air source heat pumps
o Solar water heating
o Wind energy
On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding acquired forms part of the broader contextual framework for the study of your discipline specific professional pathway.
You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the use and evaluation of data; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility.
PE7051 -
Facilities and Asset Management (20 Credits)
You will learn how to identify and appraise the key management stages in the operation of property; compare and appraise techniques; categorise and analyse strategic, tactical and operational dimensions of facilities and asset management. You will explore the options for managing the non-core business of an organisation in support of business aims. Promotion of ethically correct and environmentally sound management of people, premises, resources, services and the working environment.
More informationPE7003 -
The Business Environment (20 Credits)
In this module you will learn about the strategic management and organisational development contexts that shape the built environment, its markets and professions You will critically review and evaluate the operating environment of built environment organisations through the application of strategic management and organisational development theory.
Within each of these areas you will study a range of topics to support this:
• Strategic Management
o The strategic management process
o The external and internal business environment
o Determining the organisations strategic position
o Moving the organisation on through strategic options and implementation
• Organisational Development
o The meaning and nature of organisations
o Organisation structure and culture
o Management and leadership within organisations
o Organisational development and change
On completion of this module the knowledge and understanding acquired forms part of the broader contextual framework for the study of your discipline specific professional pathway.
You will develop, throughout this module, academic and professional skills relating to the use and evaluation of data; effective communication; self-direction and personal responsibility; and the role of ethics and corporate social responsibility within businesses
PE7000 -
Research Methods (20 Credits)
In this module you will develop your understanding of the research process and research methods. You will engage with materials that will enable you to plan and design a research proposal for a subsequent research based study in your discipline area.
Aspects will include:
• Engagement with the purpose and process of research
• Identification and refining of appropriate research questions
• Critical awareness of research theory, approaches, methods and ethics, to inform effective research design
• Searching for, managing and evaluatingsources for inclusion in a literature review
You will develop your skills as autonomous, reflective learners in support of the process of completing the dissertation.
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 02843 780 292 or by emailing DLstudentenquiries@northumbria.ac.uk
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