Quantity Surveying [with Foundation Year] [with Placement Year]

Take your first steps towards a career as a surveyor by studying for our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying degree in Peterborough.

Quantity surveyors play a vital role in deciding whether construction projects are financially viable. As a BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying student at ARU, you’ll learn how to financially manage construction projects from initial concept, through to design, build and maintenance.

By studying our Quantity Surveying degree, you’ll gain a vital understanding of issues such as value for money, health and safety and the environment – as well as exploring the wider context of the built environment.

You’ll benefit from industry-standard software and facilities, expert tutors and a range of guest lecturers who’ll share their professional insights with you. Graduate with relevant, up-to-date skills in measuring and costing all sorts of construction projects.
Quantity surveyors are in demand. With strong industry links and the opportunity to take a placement year as part of your course, our accredited degree is the perfect stepping stone your future career.

As a graduate, you could also choose to develop a specialism or start a career in research with our wide range of full- and part-time postgraduate degrees.

How long is a quantity surveyor degree?
At ARU, you can study our BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying degree full-time or part-time.

If you're studying full-time, you can choose to study over three years, or four years with a placement year in industry.

There is also the option of a four-year degree with a foundation year. If you choose this option you'll study with our partner, ARU College, on our Cambridge campus in Year 1. In Years 2-4 you'll study in Chelmsford or ARU Peterborough.

Part-time students can study over five years.

What qualifications do you need to be a quantity surveyor?
To work as a quantity surveyor, you will usually need a degree in quantity surveying accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Our degree in Chelmsford is accredited by RICS.

Alternatively it's possible to start working in the industry as a technical surveyor (also known as a surveying technician), and study for an accredited degree part-time while working.

What is a quantity surveyor salary?
Salaries start at around £25,000-£35,000 for newly trained chartered surveyors, with management roles typically attracting salaries in the range of £50,000-£80,000.

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.