COURSE CURRICULUM

Across this Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management pathway at the University of Derby, the course is structured to build progressively from technical construction knowledge into advanced commercial and project management expertise, combining core built environment skills with finance, law, and professional practice. In the early stage, students study foundational modules such as Construction Materials Technology, Construction Organisation and Economics, Site Surveying, CAD and Mathematics for Construction, and Technology and Structures, which develop an understanding of how materials, design principles, measurement techniques, and structural systems are applied in real construction contexts, alongside environmental design considerations and health and safety awareness. As the course advances, more specialised modules such as Measurement and Cost Studies, Procurement, Contracts and Legal Studies, Construction Value and Cost Studies, and Law and Construction Contracts focus on the financial and legal side of construction, including estimating, bills of quantities, cost prediction, tendering, and the use of industry-standard methods like NRM2. Students also develop practical commercial awareness through workshop-based learning that simulates real pre-contract and cost planning scenarios, helping them understand how decisions affect project feasibility and value for money. In the final stages, modules like Professional Practice and Project Management, Advanced Quantity Surveying, and Construction Risk Management emphasise leadership, collaboration, and decision-making within multidisciplinary project teams, often through real or simulated industry briefs where students must coordinate with engineers, architects, and clients to deliver complete project solutions. Throughout the programme, there is a strong emphasis on employability, professional standards, and reflective practice, preparing students for roles in cost consultancy, commercial management, and project delivery within the global construction industry, while also developing analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills essential for chartered professional pathways.