Top UK Universities For Surveying - Ranking & League Table (Updated 2024)

Looking to Study Surveying in the UK?
top uk universities for surveying

Here’s our full guide on the top universities for Surveying in the UK. We have curated a list of high-ranking universities which offer affordable, globally-recognized qualifications for Surveying.

Table of Contents

UK University League Table For Surveying (2024)

The University League Table for Surveying below displays the top-ranking universities for studying Surveying in the UK. We’ve compiled a list of universities you should look out for, based on UK and global rankings, as well as entry requirements.

UniversityCourse nameFees (Per Annum)DurationSubject RankingUK RankingTEF rating
UCL (University College London)Urban Planning and Real Estate BSc (Hons)£32,1003 years149Silver
Loughborough UniversityCommercial Management and Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)£27,2503 years / 4 years sandwich27Gold
Heriot-Watt UniversityQuantity Surveying BSc (Hons)£17,3204 years644Silver
University of Reading Quantity Surveying BSc (Hons)£27,6503 years334Silver
Oxford Brookes UniversityQuantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)£15,2004 years1146Silver
Coventry UniversityQuantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons)£19,8503 years2969Gold
University of Central LancashireQuantity Surveying BSc (Hons)£14,9003 years2599Silver

What do you Study in Surveying?

Undergraduate programmes in quantity surveying and building surveying will teach all the professional skills required for working as a surveyor. Essential to the construction industry, quantity surveyors estimate and manage the costs of materials, resources, and equipment that are needed for a project. Quantity surveyors have to balance the costs of construction with safety by spending funds and resources in the most efficient manner while ensuring that the end product meets industry safety standards.

Building surveyors are also vital to the construction industry as they ensure that projects comply with the law and are up to project and safety specifications. They have to be knowledgeable about laws related to construction, building safety and quality standards, structural requirements for buildings, sustainable practices and industry best practices. All surveying programmes will teach the fundamental skills for construction, such as safety standards, project management, and relevant laws to the business, along with specific modules for the area of specialisation.

Careers for Surveying Graduates

What can you do with a degree in Surveying? Many graduates find employment taking on various roles such as:

  • Building inspector
  • Building surveyor
  • Cost manager
  • Procurement manager
  • Project manager
  • Quantity surveyor

Top Surveying Schools In The UK

Located in the heart of the UK, Loughborough University is ranked second in the UK for building-related subjects. Loughborough offers a few programmes in construction management and quantity surveying. The university boasts excellent graduate prospects and practice-oriented teaching – both of their courses on offer even include a professional placement year which ensures that their graduates in these programmes have adequate exposure to the construction and surveying industry.

Next up is University of Reading ranked at number 3 in the UK for this subject. Students at the University of Reading benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that covers both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The faculty comprises experienced professionals and experts in Surveying, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. Additionally, the university’s strong industry connections and partnerships offer students valuable networking opportunities and access to real-world projects. With state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive learning environment, the University of Reading is an ideal institution for those aspiring to excel in the field of Surveying.

Heriot-Watt University is the sixth ranked university in the UK for building courses which includes surveying and construction management subjects. They offer one course in quantity surveying which is a four-year programme based in their campus in Edinburgh, Scotland. Their BSc Quantity Surveying programme is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Read more about Heriot-Watt’s Quantity Surveying programme here or learn more about the application process via UCAS here.

Need help applying to a UK university? We can help. Contact us now for a free appointment!

Recommended Surveying Schools In The UK

The University of Central Lancashire is among the top 30 universities in the UK for surveying courses. UCLAN offers five subjects related to quantity surveying and construction management with the option for foundation entry. UCLAN’s Bachelor’s programme in Quantity Surveying is among the most affordable UK surveying courses at just £14,900 for international students.

Coventry University is among the top 50 universities in the UK. The TEF Gold-rated university has an incredibly diverse student body, comprising 37% international students. Their campus features state-of-the-art facilities with competitive tuition fees from as low as £19,850 a year for international students taking their Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management programme.

Oxford Brookes University has an impressive, affordable, yet flexible programme in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. The four-year programme costs £15,200 in tuition per year for international students. Oxford Brookes University is ranked 11th in the UK for building and construction-related subjects and it is among the top 50 universities in the country.

The prestigious University College London (UCL) was established in 1826 and has a long and rich history embedded in its campus buildings that are iconic examples of UK’s 19th-century architecture. UCL offers BSc in Project Management for Construction and BSc in Urban Planning and Real Estate for those who are interested in these industries.

How To Apply To Study Surveying In The UK?

Step 1: Choose A University

The first step is to look for popular and high-ranking Universities in the UK that offer courses you are interested in. Refer to the table above to start your search. Here are some things to consider when applying:

  • Location
  • Employability/Graduate prospects
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements
  • University Ranking

Step 2: Preparations

Once you have narrowed down the search to your top five universities, the first step is to prepare necessary documents and forms. This includes school leaving certificates, exam results, the UCAS application form and a written Personal Statement, among other documents that may be required.

Step 3: Submit UCAS Application

The application process for UK universities differs from local universities as applications go through an organisation known as UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. UCAS handles all admission applications to UK universities, including those submitted by international candidates like you.

To ensure a better chance of getting accepted, it is important that you prepare all the necessary documents and fill out all forms correctly. We also recommend that you apply for multiple universities simultaneously to ensure that you get your preferred offers. Read our full guide on UCAS here

More about UCAS

The entire application process might be daunting and lengthy for some, so let us help you. Make a free appointment with us today for professional assistance in submitting applications to your preferred UK universities.

UK Surveying School Entry Requirements

Here are some of the common entry requirements and tests a student has to pass before being accepted at a UK university to study Surveying.

  1. English Language Test requirement – such as IELTS or TOEFL.
  2. Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland for Scottish Universities)
  3. Health checks.
  4. Entrance interviews.
  5. Personal statement. This is a supporting document and part of your application to a UK university. Usually, you will write about what you hope to achieve studying at the course, what you plan to do after graduating and why you are applying for this specific university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quantity surveying courses will focus on the cost management of construction projects while building surveying programmes may be more focused on laws, building design, and best practices. All surveying programmes will cover fundamental skills for construction such as safety and project management.

The number 1 university for Surveying in the UK is the University of Nottingham according to 2024 rankings.

The common entry requirements for studying Surveying in the UK include English language tests, criminal record declarations, health checks, entrance interviews and submission of a personal statement.

The tuition fees for Surveying degrees in the UK range between £15,000 to £32,000 per annum for international students, depending on the university. The ranking and location of a university might also affect tuition fee costs.

The UCAS deadline for Surveying programmes is 15 January on the year of admission. Do take note that the deadline for Oxford and Cambridge is 15 October.

Get Free UK Surveying Course Application Assistance

If you would like a free consultation on any step of the application process, contact us today or come visit us at our office in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Book an appointment with us now!

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