Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

Quantity Surveyors (also known as Construction Cost Consultants or Commercial Managers) manage all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the early design plans, through to completion. Quantity Surveyors seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value, while still achieving the required standards and quality. Many of these are specified by statutory building regulations, which the surveyor needs to understand and adhere to.

The HND in Quantity Surveying is a technician level qualification that combines a construction industry specific first-year curriculum with a more specialist second-year curriculum that equips you with the skills required for employment in this specialist industry sector.

You'll be taught by staff with significant Construction Industry experience and a proven track record of bringing out the best in their students.

This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 8. 

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

For direct entry into Year 2 applicants should have:-

• HNC Built Environment (15 credits); OR
• HNC Quantity Surveying (15 credits) may also be considered depending on which subjects have been completed.

Additional selection requirements

• You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

• Architectural Design Sketching and Drawing.
• Building Measurement and Cost Studies.
• Building Science.
• Building Services.
• Built Environment Graded Unit.
• CAD 2D.
• Construction Industry Fundamentals.
• Construction Materials and Specification.
• Construction Site Surveying.
• Construction Technology: Domestic Construction.
• Construction Technology: Substructure.
• Mathematics for the Built Environment.
• Statutory Control of Buildings.
• Structural Mechanics.
• Sustainability and Modern Methods of Construction.

After the course

Careers

This course prepares you for a career in private practice QS consultancies, contracting organisations, property companies, financial institutions, local and central government, commercial clients, and housing associations.

Continuing Study

On successful completion of your HND you may apply to courses in Construction Management, Project Management, Quantity Surveying or Building Surveying. Specifically:

• Second or third year of BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University.
• BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at Herriot Watt University.
• BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying at Edinburgh Napier University.
• BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Robert Gordon University.

This course also provides articulation into the 3rd of a BSc Honours Education and Curricular Studies with a Teaching Qualification in Technological Education at Strathclyde University.