Master of Science in Building Surveying including Professional Placement

Kingston University

This module will provide you with broad expert knowledge in commercial construction technology, from pre-construction to post-construction phases, with a focus on sustainable construction and building services in the built environment. Sustainability, Building Regulations, and Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulations will also be highlighted to create inclusive environments in line with the demands of the construction industry.

The module introduces you to the processes used to procure and manage construction projects. You will be provided with an overview of the construction industry and the role of the surveyor in key stages of the property life cycle. The fundamentals of professional and ethical conduct and principles of client care and inclusive communication and collaboration will be explored. The module will proceed to introduce you to procurement and tendering arrangements typically employed in the UK construction sector, enabling you to apply your knowledge to identify optimal solutions to suit the client's needs. Project management techniques and tools will also be covered, with emphasis placed on core functions relating to project planning, programming and control. Soft skills essential for successful project delivery will be considered. You will attend a series of lectures and practical sessions and be expected to take an active role by applying your knowledge to practical scenarios within these. The module is assessed by a client report.

This module explores into the intricacies of contractual arrangements and administration within the context of the UK construction industry. Throughout this module, you will acquire a comprehensive understanding of key concepts and principles, enabling you to navigate the legal landscape that governs construction projects and their appropriate approach to contract administration. This module offers a profound deliberation into various facets of legal obligations and contract administration in construction, including statutory and regulatory frameworks, standard contract forms, and the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in construction contracts. This module equips you with knowledge in cultivating analytical and critical approaches in applying the law of obligations and evidence, and skills essential for successful contract management, risk mitigation, conflict and dispute resolutions and compliance with statutory requirements; skills that are invaluable for built-environment professionals in the construction industry that fulfils key criteria as set by the relevant professional institutions in the UK. The module also accentuates the development of relevant graduate attributes highly sought after in the construction industry, such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, initiative and creativity.

This module provides you with the knowledge and skills required for managing people and organisations in sustainable environments within the construction industry context. It introduces you to the basics of business planning and organising to achieve business goals and objectives. In addition, the module encompasses the knowledge of accounting principles, standards and the knowledge and skills required for evaluating the financial standing and viability of organisations as a prerequisite for involvement in a project team.

This module will develop your working knowledge of materials and your capacity to produce appropriate specification of works accordingly. You will develop a comprehensive grasp of critically analysing client requirements and subsequently crafting viable solutions that align with UK building regulations, approved documents, and standards, while considering broader societal factors. You will gain a deep understanding of economic principles, equipping you with the ability to make informed and critical decisions when assessing the feasibility and viability of any proposed design options, taking into account a diverse range of economic factors.

The module aims to enable you to develop a deep understanding of building defects and pathology and to develop your ability to recognise the causes of obsolescence and dilapidations in buildings. You will consider the different types of decay which affect building materials and consider approaches to building management and options for effective maintenance. The module will also consider different approaches to building re-use and renewal and carbon reduction technologies which can be incorporated into a variety of building types.

The overall aim of the module is to allow you to develop research skills and gain an appreciation of a subject area of your own choosing. In undertaking the work that is required you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and competence in reviewing existing published literature and data and through the use of your own efforts apply one or more of a range of research methods to collect and analyse data and draw well-founded conclusions as a result of your research. The module allows you to study an area of interest in significant depth and allows you to demonstrate a clear understanding of what has been learnt through a variety of means; a literature review, a research proposal, an oral presentation and a substantial dissertation.