Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying consolidates and deepens the qualifying learner's expertise in the specialised area of quantity surveying and develops research capacity in the methodology and techniques of this discipline while equipping them to undertake more specialised and intensive learning.

This qualification will

• Prepare learners for professional specialisation in the building and construction environment, that is, specialise in quantity surveying.
• Prepare learners for postgraduate studies by deepening their knowledge base and understanding of quantity surveying and the building environment relating to research.
• Develop abilities to solve advanced theoretical and practice related problems in the quantity surveying environment.

Upon completion of this qualification, the qualifying learners will be able to

• Prepare tender and contractual documents relating to the builder's work and demonstrate knowledge of procurement methods.
• Estimate costs and undertake financial management of construction projects including advice on payments and certification during construction.
• Manage building projects and related infrastructure.
• Manage human resources of a construction project.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of construction principles and apply these as a member and/or leader in a project team to manage projects effectively.
• Demonstrate knowledge of legal and economic issues affecting the industry in South Africa.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic property investment decisions.
• Communicate effective communication routes with construction professionals.
• Analyse and solve problems related to the construction sector.

Rationale

South Africa is currently experiencing an unprecedented demand for infrastructure and skilled human resources. Part of this is contributed by the skills shortage, particularly in the scarce categories like engineering and related professions. In terms of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) list of scarce skills, published in Government Gazette Vol: 578, no 36721 on 2 August 2013, there is a skills shortage in the construction sector and the quantity surveying occupations. More recently, on the list of the DHET's List of Occupations in High Demand, published in Government Gazette no 39604 on 19 January 2016, building-related occupations are mentioned.

The qualification will further the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities and skills required for becoming a competent practising quantity surveyor on completion of this qualification and further studies stipulated by the SA Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP). This qualification would provide learners with the opportunity to progress to a higher or advanced level to achieve professional status with the SACQSP. Qualifying learners can be employed as assistant quantity surveyors.

This qualification provides

• Preparation for a career in quantity surveying itself and areas that potentially benefit from Quantity Surveying skills, for achieving professional proficiency and contributing to the economy and its national development by ensuring optimal utilisation of resources.
• The educational base required for registration as a professional quantity surveying in practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Diploma in Building Science, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Building, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Diploma in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management and Project Management, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7, totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits

• Construction Economics, 24 Credits.
• Construction Contracts and Administration, 24 Credits.
• Research Methodology: Quantity Surveying, 12 Credits.
• Business Development and Management, 24 Credits.
• Advanced Descriptive Quantification, 24 Credits.
• Property Law and Valuations, 12 Credits.

1. Prepare tender and contractual documents relating to the builder's work and demonstrate knowledge of procurement methods.
2. Estimate costs and undertake financial management of construction projects including advice on payments and certification during construction.
3. Demonstrate the ability to manage building projects and related infrastructure.
4. Demonstrate the ability to manage the human resources of a construction project.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of construction principles and apply these as a member and/or leader in a project team to manage projects effectively.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of legal and economic issues affecting the industry in South Africa.
7. Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility and accountability for undertaking quantity surveying activities related to the contractual management of construction projects and use of resources in various construction contexts.
8. Demonstrate the ability to develop and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing within a Construction context using appropriate academic, professional, or occupational discourse.
9. Demonstrate the ability to manage processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts, recognising that problem solving is context and system bound, and does not occur in isolation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Quantify and document items and elements of structures and buildings
• Understand different procurement methods.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Measure, price and analyse development projects.
• Draft cost plans and perform cost control and cost design.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Organise the construction site and manage the development process of buildings and construction projects.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Perform, manage, and administer the basic functions of the profession in the construction industry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explore the requirements for effective team management and communicate effectively on project health and safety aspects with all project team members.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Analyse and apply the legal issues and economic trends related to the construction industry.
• Apply contract conditions, legislation, and policies appropriately.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Analyse and locate the principles and performance of own work within current practice related to the built environment professions and the construction industry.
• Analyse construction elements, components, procedures and methods.
• Forecast the outcomes of development projects in respect of costs.
• Predict the life cycle performance of buildings with respect to cost and quality.
• Demonstrate knowledge of basic property investment decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Apply written communication skills in report writing and correspondence.
• Apply oral communication skills in dealing with enquiries from clients, consultants, and colleagues.
• Apply graphic presentations skills to assist and inform clients, consultants and colleagues in construction-related matters.
• Use communication skills in engaging with stakeholders and in retrieving and disseminating information.
• Communicate effective communication routes with construction professionals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Apply knowledge of research theory and techniques to analyse and address problems arising in construction projects.
• Analyse and solve problems related to the construction sector.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment methods applied will determine the learner's applied competence and successful completion of this qualification and can be described as follows:

Modules that are assessed in an examination termination mode are developed as such: Year modules require a minimum of six assessment opportunities during the year, while a minimum of three assessment opportunities are required for semester modules. Scores obtained in these assessments will be collectively calculated to determine the predicate mark.

A minimum of forty percent is required from accumulated summative assessments as the predicate mark for examination entry. Learners obtaining less than forty percent predicate will be excluded from examination entry and will fail the module. The predicate mark and examination mark will then each equally contribute to the year mark.

Formative assessment will be used to inform learners about their progress continuously throughout the study. Marks collected from this evidence may be recorded for promotional purposes or may be used for the sole purpose of learner and lecturer reflection, growth, and development. Formative assessment will be used to support the learner developmentally and to provide feedback to all involved in the learning process about how teaching and learning can be improved. Throughout the qualification, formative assessment strategies will be used to ensure that exit level outcomes are achieved.

Formative assessment will include

• Self and peer assessments
• Group and individual assignments.
• Projects.
• Construction Management simulations and tests as a basis on which to provide formative feedback on knowledge gaps, skills application, and possible ways of improvement.
• Research assignments to provide formative feedback on different aspects of the learner's learning.

Summative will include

• Individual projects and assignments.
• Group projects and assignments.
• Case study analyses and presentations.
• Examinations.
• Closed book.