Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management

MSc

Start dates: January 2025 / September 2025 / January 2026 / September 2026

Full time: 1 year (Sept start), 17 months (Jan start)

Part time: Part time: On campus or distance learning - Sept start (24 months), Jan start (29 months – including summer break)

Location: Headington, Distance learning

Department(s): School of the Built Environment

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Overview

Our MSc in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management (QSCM) is designed to meet the challenging demands of the modern learner and the rapidly evolving needs of the construction industry.

This is a coursework only course which brings together both distance and on-campus learners. You will work on real life problems as experienced by the construction industry. And in doing so, develop a broad range of quantity surveying and management skills and knowledge including:

  • Building Information Modelling (BIM)
  • project finance
  • technology
  • procurement by working.

We consult with companies in the industry to ensure our course is tailored to the employment skills needed by the construction industry. Our longstanding links include prominent and local companies in the sector, such as:

  • Mace
  • Willmott Dixon
  • BAM Construction
  • Beards
  • Kingerlee
  • Bidwells.

Please note, PGCert and PGDip qualifications are offered as exit awards only and are not accredited by RICS or CIOB. Applicants interested in these should apply for the MSc in the first instance.

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Students on building site with hi vis jackets and hard hats

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Accreditation(s)

    Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Chartered Institute of Building

    • Chartered Institute of Building
    • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Course details

Course structure

Modes of study

There are two modes of delivery for this course:

  • full-time on campus
  • part-time on campus
  • part-time distance learning.

There are two entry points - September and January.

Please note, PGCert and PGDip qualifications are offered as exit awards only and are not accredited by RICS or CIOB. Applicants interested in these should apply for the MSc in the first instance.

For full-time students lectures are held on two set days every week.

For part-time on campus students, lectures are held on one set day every week.

For distance learners, the virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. Students are supported by email, Zoom, Google Meet, on-line lectures and telephone, and are welcome to attend all lectures on campus. Distance learners are advised to spend two evenings per week and one whole day per weekend on their studies.

There are also intensive on-campus study periods and a field trip, when students from all modes of study come together (attendance is optional).

Student in class

Learning and teaching

In response to industry feedback we have made our courses more practical by using an 'applied' approach to learning. This is sometimes called 'problem based learning' or PBL. You learn by working through problems that are adapted from complex, real situations. We use our links with industry to help devise the problems we use in class, leading to a more exciting and relevant student experience.

Full-time and part-time on-campus modes

You will receive new material weekly with intermediate tutorials or seminars. There are also intensive study weeks and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study.

Distance learning mode

The virtual learning environment (VLE) is the primary mode of delivery. You will also be invited to attend (non-compulsory) on-campus intensive study periods and field trips where you will learn with students from all modes of study. You will be able to contact the Programme Team by email, telephone and through online meetings/tutorials.

Assessment

Assessment is 100% coursework, and includes a variety of types of work.

Our virtual learning environment (VLE), Moodle allows you to:

  • download course material
  • take quizzes taken remotely
  • take part in closed discussions
  • keep in contact with other distance and on-campus students.

Field Trips

An optional European field trip* is part of the course and typically takes place over a five-day period towards the end of January.

The field trip exposes you to European project management practices, allowing you to:

  • consolidate the knowledge gained in the early part of the course
  • develop team and other relationships
  • assess your ability to observe and report on the different approaches to project management in the UK and in a European country.

The trip normally consists of visits to prominent construction/engineering projects and sites. Plus architectural attractions, both en route and at the destination. You will be introduced to the development and planning practices at the destination. And you will have the opportunity to visit major complex projects.

The majority of the costs are subsidised by the School but there are some additional costs. Please see the Additional costs section of this page for details.

* Subject to Covid restrictions

Start this course in January or September

You can start this course in January or September.

Only the Dissertation module (independent study) runs in the summer, so course lengths for January starters will appear longer due to the summer vacation.

The summer vacation does provide a good opportunity for students to find an internship or gain work experience. Please note that there is no formal internship or placement as part of the course. We do however provide many networking opportunities and advice on how to find your own internship.

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master's award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

Taught modules

Compulsory modules

  • People, Leadership and Organisations

    This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of how behavioural and organisational issues influence project performance.

    It includes an overview of management approaches, an exploration of the issues around understanding self and understanding others, team theory and leadership, communication, conflict theory and resolution, conflict resolution strategies and learning from experience in project environments and also conflict and negotiation in the context of personal and cultural differences.

    To a large extent the module adopts a problem based learning (PBL) approach. Here, PBL is facilitated through problem solving exercises that are based on prominent case studies and game play exercises.

  • Project Planning, Control and Risk

    This module prepares you to manage projects within the built environment through the use of advanced planning and control techniques. You will learn and apply a range of skills in project planning, scheduling, monitoring and control that includes cash flow and capital expenditure analysis, value management, risk and opportunity management and the use of software-based decision support tools as used in industry.

  • Managing Technology for Sustainable Environments

    Technological innovations and how they are managed are key elements in the development of our built environment. This module introduces these as considerations that should be made at the inception and briefing stages of a project, not as afterthoughts. It also recognises that construction is not devoid of the human dimension - the contexts within which a construction project is situated, including influences of climate, culture, and surrounding and supporting infrastructures are also important. Thus you don’t study developments of technology in isolation, but as part of a continuously innovating industry. In this respect, managing Building Information Modelling (BIM), developments in off-site construction and Low Carbon Construction are covered as part of the module.

  • Quantity Surveying Practice

    The financial management of project design and construction, whether for client or contractor, is an essential skill in the construction industry. This module helps you to develop this skill. It is designed to initially develop your understanding of the fundamental principles for building and civil engineering measurement. You will gain a good understanding of the standard methods of measurement such as NRM2 and CESMM4, develop quantity take-off skills and understand the key roles and responsibilities of a professional quantity surveyor with particular reference to the construction tendering process and use of BIM.

  • Applied Research Methods (10 credits)

    This module provides you with the fundamentals of research design highlighting the difference between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and demonstrates how data can be both gathered and analysed and how deductive arguments can be used to produce valid generalisations from data. It also provides you with an overview of particular research techniques such that they can choose and develop those tools most appropriate to their particular research project.

Final project

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation

    The dissertation follows on from Applied Research Methods and aims not only to generate new knowledge or insights but also to develop your capacity to undertake rigorous research, to plan and execute an extended project and to communicate complex ideas effectively in words and graphically. By conducting your own primary research, you work with a supervisor from within the department to produce an original piece of work of publishable quality.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

Many members of staff are part of the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development (OISD). This research and promotional organisation is noted for its work on sustainable technology in buildings and sustainable urban form among many ongoing projects.

A recent HEFCE report into sustainable development in higher education in England suggests that the OISD is one of the key players in sustainable development research.

Areas of interest include:

  • sustainability, adaptation and resilience to climate change
  • Building Information Modelling (BIM)
  • collaborative supply networks for procurement and delivery of project
  • building economics
  • forecasting techniques
  • risk management
  • social networks in project environments
  • managing complex projects
  • management of knowledge and innovation as a source of competitive advantage
  • adaptive re-use of existing buildings
  • facilities management
  • health and safety.

Careers

Graduates of our postgraduate construction programmes have an outstanding employment record. Our graduates are recognised as having excellent levels of communication, presentation and problem-solving skills. Consequently, our students go on to be employed across the broad spectrum of the construction industries both locally and internationally.

Many of these companies visit the department annually to meet students for graduate positions whilst all of our distance learning students are employed full time by prominent companies in the sector.

As our programmes are accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), our graduates are firmly on the path to become professionally chartered, opening up excellent recognition for future career progression.

Graduates from the course will normally go on to become Quantity Surveyors within the construction industries, for which currently there are excellent job opportunities.

Student profiles

Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process

We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.

There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).

Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£10,300

Home (UK) part time
£5,150

Home (UK) distance learning
£5,150

International full time
£17,150

International distance learning
£8,575

Home (UK) full time
£10,800

Home (UK) part time
£5,400

Home (UK) distance learning
£5,400

International full time
£17,950

International distance learning
£8,975

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£10,300

Home (UK) part time
£5,150

Home (UK) distance learning
£5,150

International full time
£17,150

International distance learning
£8,575

2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£10,800

Home (UK) part time
£5,400

Home (UK) distance learning
£5,400

International full time
£17,950

International distance learning
£8,975

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.