Dissertation
Postgraduate
MSc/PgDip
Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical)
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Attendance
Distance Learning
Course
Two and a half year
Next enrolment
September 2021
In a nutshell
There is currently a severe skills shortage in the UK for quantity surveyors with expertise in mechanical and electrical installations. Qualified mechanical and electrical quantity surveyors find employment in the building sector or in specialist fields including nuclear power.
Studying this course will provide you with 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. This programme will equip you with a professional understanding of procurement, financial and risk management and lifecycle cost management, as they apply to the construction industry. In addition to formalising your knowledge of traditional quantity surveying, you’ll receive a solid grounding in cutting-edge developments applying to mechanical and electrical works.
As this full masters degree is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will be educated to the highest industry standards and are granted exemption from RICS academic entry requirements.
You will:
- Organise and plan the procurement and financial management of construction projects
- Be able to effectively manage and administer construction contracts
- Lead and work effectively with project teams and communicate effectively in a variety of forms
International
students accepted
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
1.
You're a practising quantity surveyor and/or senior construction professional who would like to develop and formalise your skills in this area
2.
You have a strong academic and/or professional background in the built environment with direct experience of quantity surveying processes
3.
You enjoy collaboration and have strong leadership, communication and organisational skills
All about the course
Course delivery
The Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) postgraduate qualification meets industry needs by providing formal qualifications for built environment professionals looking to develop a quantity surveying skill set.
Delivered exclusively online, the MSc 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. In two additional trimesters, students enrolled on the MSc award will complete a dissertation, which is also delivered online and includes extensive tutor engagement and support.
Teaching is delivered using Collaborate Ultra, our virtual learning environment which features interactive live-stream and on-demand materials. Module assessment is driven by real-world problems aligned to your workplace and job role, using coursework only.
Modules
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 industry leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
FACILITIES
During your studies, you will use Collaborate Ultra, our online learning environment featuring real-time and on-demand materials. You will also have access to our multimedia libraries featuring subject publications, industry journals, databases and software.
Programme Team
The Quantity Surveying (Mechanical and Electrical) postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with exceptional research experience and professional connections. The team is part of a global built environment community with prominence in shaping construction industry best practice.
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
Globally, the urban built environment is becoming the predominant place for livelihoods. You can choose postgraduate research to further your knowledge of key built environment challenges. Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities available through our Doctoral School.
The Centre for Urban Processes, Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Environments at Salford hosts a community of academics, practitioners and researchers at the forefront of exploring how we can enhance our built environments at both the local, national and international scales.
Career Links
This course was developed at the request of industry to meet the training needs of aspiring mechanical and electrical specialists, and to help plug the skills gap which currently exists in the UK. Guest lecturers from industry with expertise in relevant areas regularly give lectures throughout the duration of the course.
The full masters award is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) allowing exemption from their academic entry requirements.
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.
COURSE ACCREDITATION
The full masters award is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Accreditation enables exemption from some academic entry requirements.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
Applicants for of this course must have a minimum of a second class honours degree.
Alternative 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).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning | 2021/22 | UK: £1,440 per 30 credits International: £1,890 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. We offer a range of scholarships worth between £3,000-£5,000.
Learn more about our latest international scholarships.