Built Environments - your questions answered
In the below video, Programme Leader for Civil Engineering, Derek Spalton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Built Environments at the University of Derby.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
If you are looking for a varied and challenging career, our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management is a smart choice. We will equip you with all the skills you need to provide clients with value for money while meeting the strict regulations which govern the construction industry.
A dynamic profession
Quantity surveying entails essential skills related to the planning and procurement of construction activity, including involvement in various parts of the design and construction process. It could be advising a client about this month’s valuation or speaking with an engineer to assess the cost implications of a design solution.
Our new BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management programme will help you to develop, enhance and deepen those skills in accordance with latest industry thinking.
Important industry partnerships
Developed in close collaboration with employers, this course is aligned to professional practice in the construction industry. Our strong industrial links will ensure that your studies are technologically relevant and that you acquire all the knowledge and abilities you need to practise as a quantity surveyor.
A rich learning experience
You will learn through group work, individual assignments, lectures, seminars, site visits, field studies and site/building surveys. All these serve a variety of functions essential to the education of built environment professionals.
Assessment of your project work will be undertaken on a continuous basis, involving either individual or group assessment. Assessment of group work may entail an element of peer group review which will contribute to your overall performance.
You can also get involved with local projects, for example Down to Earth Derby's 'New Commons'. For the last several years we have been working with Down to Earth Derby, on nature-based regeneration and connecting communities with nature and growing food. A major project we are working on at the moment, with the Eden Project, is a community garden on part of Sturgess Fields, a site owned by the University between Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street sites. The plan is to create a New Commons that will be managed with the community. There are opportunities for you to work on this project, designing sustainable buildings and structures.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Real world learning
You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, site visits and visits to companies.
How you are assessed
You will be assessed through computer workshops, surveying field work, group work and individual assignments and examinations.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 21 |
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Highly sought after due to their financial and business acumen, quantity surveyors often hold very senior positions in industry, local government and central government. You will find that career opportunities also exist in a number of related fields, including the built environment, civil and heavy engineering and the offshore and petrochemical industries.
Quantity surveyors are responsible for the cost of any building project - from initial estimates right through to the final acquisition of materials. Surveying jobs and their associated roles are varied, but generally focussed on providing clients with value for money while adhering to the strict regulations which govern every aspect of the construction industry.
Day-to-day responsibilities include roles inside the office, on the construction site or in meetings with clients and other project personnel. While the very nature of construction work ensures that no two projects are ever the same, a typical work day might involve:
- preparation of contracts, including details regarding the quantities of required materials
- on-going cost analysis of maintenance and repair work
- feasibility studies of client requests
- analysing completed work and arranging payment to contractors
- allocating upcoming work to contractors
- site visits, assessments and projections for future work
Quantity surveyors may choose to specialise in a specific area of the construction industry and concentrate on areas like property taxation, costing advice, maintenance of existing buildings and application to funding sources.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Free membership of accredited bodies
- Year 1 Compulsory Field trip within England, 4 day residential: coach, bed and breakfast
- Day trips to free entry venues or construction sites
- AutoCAD student version downloadable in personal computer
- Use of all labs and appropriate PPE supplied including personal safety boots
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Year 1 Field trip main meals approx. £20 per day
- Additional field trips and site visits £100
- Additional materials (printing, stationery, portfolio sleeves, folders, etc.)
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Optional 4 to 5 day trip abroad with a student contribution of approx. £100 to £200 depending on numbers, which covers flights and hotel and breakfast. University contribution: coach travel, entry to museums and iconic buildings, metro card, guided tour and booklet
- Any travel for paid placements
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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