Master of Science in Quantity Surveying

On completion of this qualification, which is a research degree achieved by acceptance of a dissertation, learners will have mastered the scientific methods of research in the field of quantity surveying and which allows the learner to clarify and extend the body of knowledge in a particular aspect in this field.

The qualification does not lead to additional professional recognition, but benefits society by enhancing the knowledge of the discipline of quantity surveying. It provides value to the learner by enhancing career opportunities in an academic environment, leading to the possibility of studying further at a Doctoral level. Other career opportunities are opened up through increased status as an authority or consultant within the built environment professions and through recognition of the qualification in the wider community.

Society is benefiting through the production of professionals with considerable specialized expertise, research and leadership skills. The learner will contribute to the development of a sustainable built environment in response to the needs and values of the community, within an understanding of international frameworks.

Learning achieved by meeting the outcomes of a qualification of the University listed below (under Formally Accredited Learning) is assumed to be in place.

The programme assumes that learners are able to communicate through written and oral at an advanced level, using a range of techniques including computer technology. In addition, they are expected to have a grounding in fields of knowledge appropriate to the discipline of quantity surveying, demonstrating critical, analytical thinking to analyse, research, interpret, refine and modify existing knowledge. Learners should have advanced problem solving competencies and demonstrate self-directed, independent thought using a range of learning strategies. The learner is expected to be aware of ethical issues and wider systems in relation to peers and wider society, and to be able to operate in a variety of social and academic contexts. The learner should have had the opportunities to use his/her scientific knowledge to solve problems in dependently while considering the implications.

Formally Accredited Learning and Other Qualities

The typical applicant has a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying of the University, or equivalent qualification. Other applicants may have a qualification in any discipline appropriate to the research field proposed - consult the application information for the year of study for which application is being made.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential- or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum to include preliminary programmes prior to admission or parallel programmes after admission.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES (ELO)

1 The qualifying learner is competent to identify, evaluate and solve problems within the ambit of the research area, and demonstrates a high level of responsibility and ethics both within the immediate context of the problem, and with regard to society as a whole. The learner is familiar with relevant theoretical material for the area in which he/she is specialising.

2 The qualifying learner is required to operate effectively in an academic environment with peers and supervisors. Where appropriate to the research area, the learner is required to interact effectively with communities and other groups and individuals outside the academic arena.

1. The qualifying learner is required to have extensive communication skills and the ability to produce material of an internationally acceptable standard.
2. The qualifying learner will have built on his/her existing knowledge of quantity surveying and is able to evaluate the application of quantity surveying in relation to wider local and global environmental concerns and specifically in the fields of finance in construction, planning and technology
3. The qualifying learner will be able to locate his/her decision making and proposals within wider procedural, social, legal, economic, intellectual and environmental contexts.

6 The qualifying learner will have developed a high level of self-management with a critical awareness of personal values.

7 The qualifying learner is required to have extensive skills and knowledge in the area of data collection, analysis, organization and evaluation.

8 The qualifying learner is exposed to a range of sophisticated learning strategies, and is expected to make informed decisions on their employment. In addition, they are required to act responsibly and professionally, with full regard to the needs and aspirations of the society within which he/she operates.

He/she should have considerable cultural and environmental awareness, and is required to enhance and apply this within the area of specialization. The learner is exposed to career opportunities both within an entrepreneurial and academic context.

CRITICAL CROSS-FIELD OUTCOMES (CCFO)

a) Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. -See ELO 1.

b) Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community. -See ELO 2, 3 and 8.

c) Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. - See ELO 6.

d) Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information. -See ELO 7.

e) Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion. ELO 3.

f) Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. - ELO 4.

g) Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. -See ELO 5.

h) Contributing to the full personal development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

i. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively; -See ELO 6 and 8

ii. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities, -See ELO 2 and 8; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the university and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

iii. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts; ELO 2 and 8.

iv. Exploring education and career opportunities. -See ELO 3 and 8.

v. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities. -See ELO 5 and 8.

1 The qualifying learner demonstrates ability

• to evaluate existing research and theory and perform individual research,
• to communicate results at an international and accepted academic level,
• to solve problems in a specific range of economic and social contexts,
• to contribute significantly to the development of society through mastery of the research area,
• to consider a range of options and make decisions about ways of seeing scientific situations and systems and there interconnectedness within broader systems

2 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• the importance of the exchange of ideas and knowledge with peers and supervisors.

and is able

• to distinguish between different styles of communication in the quest for information, and can apply these appropriately and effectively,
• to apply academic ethics and responsibility to all aspects of study and research.

3 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• an understanding of a range of strategies for communicating in the pursuit of data collection, and in the transmission of the results of research.
• a thorough command of communication whether written, oral, visual or using IT, and can apply these media appropriately in the presentation of research material,
• sensitivity to cultural diversity in using different modes of communicating, both in the collection of data and in presentation of the results of research.

4 The qualifying learner demonstrates ability

• to evaluate, apply and develop existing and new approaches where appropriate to the research area,
• to relate financial, technological and planning issues within the research area to wider economic and social systems critically and ethically.
• to respond sensitively to the choice of financial, technological and planning issues in varied cultural settings.

5 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• critical awareness of his/her role as a researcher in society.
• knowledge of the legal frameworks pertaining to the research area, and is able to relate them to wider legal and ethical contexts.
• an understanding of the implications of society's expectations of research.

1. In addressing the requirements of the programme, the qualifying learner demonstrates responsibility in respect of time management, self-motivation, prioritisation and initiative at an advanced level.

7 The qualifying learner demonstrates

• a working knowledge of different research methods,
• an understanding of the impact of the research on society as a whole.
• ability to evaluate different methods of data manipulation within a range of scenarios, and understand the social and academic consequences of the choice of method.

8 The qualifying learner is able to operate effectively in a professional and academic environment where career opportunities are open to him/her, and demonstrates

• cultural and environmental awareness and sensitivity,
• a wide range of strategies in the pursuit of his/her studies.

Integrated assessment

This is achieved by a variety of strategies including, seminar presentations, and finally through the assessment of the dissertation of international academic standard written by the learner.