Dissertation
Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical)
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Distance Learning
Two and a half year
September 2023
In a nutshell
There is a skills shortage in the UK for quantity surveyors with expertise in mechanical and electrical installations. Position your career to fill the gap with our MSc Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) postgraduate degree.
Delivered exclusively online, our course focuses on the skills demanded by clients who rely on a quantity surveyor’s specialist mechanical and electrical knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly.
Led by experienced built environment academics and practitioners, you will gain awareness of cutting-edge developments applying to mechanical and electrical works. You will build knowledge about procurement, financial and risk management and lifecycle cost management, and understand how they apply to the construction industry.
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), our postgraduate degree is recommended for graduates and professionals from a broad range of backgrounds to build specialist mechanical and electrical-surveying knowledge and skills.
International applicant? Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
Start your MSc Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) study journey
Register for our next Open Day where you can learn more about the course, tour our campus and meet the tutors
You will:
- Understand how to organise and plan the procurement and financial management of construction projects
- Develop the skills to effectively manage and administer construction contracts
- Learn how to lead and work effectively with project teams and communicate effectively in a variety of forms
students accepted
Course accreditations

This is for you if...
you're a practising quantity surveyor and/or senior construction professional looking to develop and formalise your skills in this area
You're a finance graduate interested in the built environment and looking to develop a career in quantity surveying
you enjoy collaboration and have strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
All about the course
Course delivery
Delivered exclusively online, our MSc Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) postgraduate course comprises eight 15-credit modules and one 60-credit research-based project. The PgDip comprises eight taught modules.
During your studies, you will complete two 15-credit taught modules in each of your first four trimesters. Across two additional trimesters, MSc award students will complete a dissertation, which is also delivered online and includes extensive tutor engagement and support.
Learning experience
As a distance learning student, you will experience Collaborate Ultra virtual learning environment, supported by real-time and on-demand interactive sessions. Module assessment is driven by real-world problems aligned to your workplace or role.
The course blends specialist mechanical and electrical-focused practice, with core areas a practicing quantity surveyor will need to consider. During your studies, you will explore process management, BIM techniques, value and risk, contracts, procurement and financial management. You will also strengthen your research and analytical skills by completing a dissertation on a topic of your choice. Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
Course team
The Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) postgraduate course is delivered by an academic team with extensive research and subject knowledge. The team is part of a global built environment community with prominence in shaping construction industry best practice.
Course leader: John Forde
Complete a structured, managed and well-presented project on a subject-related topic of your choice. With support from an academic tutor, you will apply the knowledge you've developed on this course and demonstrate your capabilities in research methodology, data selection and project management.
Mechanical and Electrical Technology
- Heating and Ventilating Systems
- Electrical Systems
- Specialist Systems
- Heavy engineering
- Design appreciation
Quantity Surveying Mechanical and Electrical Practice
- Order of cost estimating M and E
- Cost planning M and E
- Quantification, costing and financial management M and E
- Mechanical and electrical tendering - Process and procedure
- Whole life costing M and E
Process Management in Construction
- Construction process and project process models
- Process analysis and modelling
- Construction innovation and process improvement
- Project planning tools and techniques
- Project resource management and control
BIM for the Built Environment
- Concepts to collaborative working and BIM
- Standards and procedures for collaborative working and BIM
- Relevance of BIM for your role in collaborative working projects
- Simulation workshop – 4D Simulation & Construction Planning, 5D Cost Estimating
- Project monitoring – scan to BIM
Value and Risk Management
- Value management in construction projects
- Theory and applications Risk, hazard and uncertainty
- Risk management systems and frameworks
- Value and risk assessment/analysis
- Emerging processes and practice
Contracts Management and Practice
- Standard Forms of Contracts and Sub-contracts- JCT, FIDIC, ECC/NEC, GC Works etc
- Contractual mechanisms and procedures at various stages of the contract
- Contract Clauses- issues of time extensions, contract price and variations
- Commercial management of contracts: Interim payments, sub-contract and supplier agreements
- Conflict avoidance and management procedures
Procurement
- Strategic procurement in construction
- Procuring design and construction services – examining alternative strategies for procuring consultants and contractors
- Procurement frameworks – understanding alternative contractual frameworks within which relations between organisations are formed
- Partnering strategies within construction procurement
- Supply chain management – examining ‘supply'
Financial & Commercial Management
- Finance in the construction industry
- Approaches to estimating
- Tendering and bidding
- Payments
- Financial control
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
Energy House
The way UK energy is supplied and consumed is changing fast. Consumers and small businesses will soon be able to generate, store, share, buy and sell their energy as the government encourages the transition to a greener economy.
Through commercial and grant funded research, Salford's world-class Energy House laboratories help businesses understand how effective their products and services are in lowering consumers’ carbon footprint and reducing energy bills.
Industry Collaboration and Research
When you start this degree course with Salford, you are joining a community making a difference in industry, our local region and in our wider society.
Many of our academics and technicians who support your course also lead collaborative, interdisciplinary, high-impact work in a range of local and global built environment issues and challenges.
Discover how you are part of something bigger.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
On successful course completion, you will be closer to a role supporting the procurement and financial management of mechanical and electrical projects. Equipped with the capability to critically examine existing construction practices, you will be able to apply your new skills and knowledge for clients who rely on a quantity surveyor's knowledge and judgement to keep a project running smoothly.
With high demand for expertise in mechanical and electrical installations, graduate employment statistics for this course are good. As a qualified mechanical and electrical quantity surveyor, you will likely find employment in the construction sector, particularly with the growing importance of renewable energy, low carbon technology and energy management.
FURTHER STUDY
You might also choose to take your subject interest further with postgraduate research. Our Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments is home to PhD and Research Master’s opportunities exploring how we can enhance our built environments at local, national and international scales.
Explore our Doctoral School to learn more about research training, support and opportunities.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course is recommended for applicants looking to enhance their current knowledge and gain specialism in the mechanical and electrical aspect of quantity surveying. Typically, you will have a strong academic and/or professional background in the built environment, with direct experience of quantity surveying processes enabling you to build on you existing experience. Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills are preferred.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English is not your first language, you must meet our minimum English language entry requirements. An IELTS score of 6.0 (no element below 5.5) is proof of this, however we do accept a range of equivalent qualifications.
Read more about our English language requirements, including information about pathways that can help you gain entry on to our degree courses. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please check international intakes for the latest information and application dates.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
The full masters award is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Accreditation enables exemption from some academic entry requirements.
Undergraduate degree
Applicants must have a minimum of a second class honours degree (2:2).
International student entry requirements
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
For more information or enquires about this scheme, please contact: AdmissionsSEE-PGT@salford.ac.uk
How much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Part-time | 2023/24 | £1,515 per 30 credits |
Distance learning | 2023/24 | £1,515 per 30 credits |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
International student scholarships
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.