Overview
Are you looking for a nationally recognised qualification? Are you ready to improve your career prospects and/or looking for a career as a quantity surveyor or in estimation? If so, a Higher Technical Qualification in Quantity Surveying will help you get there!
Read the full overview
Why Choose Quantity Surveying?
Quantity Surveyors (QS) are key players in the construction industry. They manage costs for building and civil engineering projects, ensuring everything stays on budget while meeting legal, quality, and sustainability standards. With a focus on cost-efficiency and compliance, they help keep construction projects running smoothly from start to finish.
QS knowledge, expertise and practice are essential in efficient construction management from a cost perspective and, plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable construction initiatives. The Quantity Surveying for England HTQ at UCDon will provide you with a broad skill-set that competently estimates and manages cost for labour, materials and equipment; prepares and managements contractual relationships and obligations; can oversee project progress to ensure timely completion and expects and ensures compliance with building regulations, quality standards and health & safety requirements. Students complete the Quantity Surveying HTQ equipped with both theoretical and practical knowledge/experience that ensures their work-ready competencies and aptitude of expression towards the sector and cost efficiencies.
The HNC Quantity Surveying for England can also be a good stepping-stone towards further qualifications at level 5 and above that support a specialist career in the Construction estimation and/or quantity surveying. Students are encouraged through the HNC to secure student membership with RICS and the CIOB to support individual career development.
At UCDon our teaching staff having extensive industrial experience, are highly qualified and enthusiastic professionals. They have a love of learning and are keen to support the sustainability of Construction industries in facilitating the development of highly-skilled, efficient and accomplished quantity surveyors/estimators.
Stay Industry-Ready
Course content is regularly reviewed to stay aligned with industry standards. Occasionally, module updates may occur: students will be notified of any changes in advance.
You can find full course details in the official specification here: Quantity Surveying (2023) | BTEC Higher Nationals | Pearson qualifications
Diverse and Dynamic Assessments
We know everyone learns differently, so we use a wide variety of assessment methods to help you showcase your knowledge and practical ability. These may include:
- Real-world project planning and management
- Technical reports and reflective essays
- Practical demonstrations and CAD outputs
- Presentations, posters, and even podcast-style submissions
- Time-constrained tasks to mirror workplace challenges
- Group work, peer review, and tutor observations
Every assessment is designed to build your confidence, develop your communication skills, and prepare you for success in the construction industry.
What you’ll study
8 modules
This programme comprises the following core modules that all students complete:
Modules
- Construction Design Project (Pearson-set theme)
- The Construction Environment
- Digital Applications for Construction Information
- Measurement & Estimating
- Tender & Procurement
- Construction Economics & Sustainability
- Quantity Surveying Practice
- Law & Legal Frameworks in Quantity Surveying
All carry 15 credits and are core mandatory Further details about this course are available in the course specification at: Quantity Surveying (2023) | BTEC Higher Nationals | Pearson qualifications
Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.
How you’ll learn
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops.
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Practical and lab sessions
- One-to-one tutorials
Read more about how you’ll learn
HNC Quantity Surveying for England was kite-marked as a Higher Technical Qualification from September 2023.
…What is a Higher Technical Qualification?: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-technical-qualification-overview
In brief, all Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) have a practical focus in delivery that compliments the theoretical underpinnings of Construction/Built Environment study. Students can expect to experience a timetabled schedule of theory-led lectures/seminars alongside practical, assessment and employability workshops that prepare them for industry. All students also receive timetabled tutorial support alongside the formal curriculum.
Please note, this list is not exhaustive.
Meet us at an open event.
What you need and where it leads
- Entry requirements
- This course Level 4
- Further study
Entry requirements
Don’t have the standard qualifications? You may still be able to apply.
32UCAS points
Applicants would normally be expected to have a minimum of 32 UCAS Tariff points gained through achieving a BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma, Subsidiary Diploma, Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship or, one A level in a relevant subject (maths, science, geography).
Please note: All applicants for Higher Technical Qualifications must be aged 18 at the time of enrolment.
Students aged under 21 must achieve a minimum of 32 UCAS points from their level 3 qualification to meet entry criteria for this programme. We can support applicants in establishing what UCAS points they have.
Taken a different path?
We are, however, committed to creating educational opportunities for people from a variety of backgrounds, circumstances and demographics. If you have been out of formal education for some time, and/or you feel you do not have the pre-requisite qualifications stated, we may still be able to consider your application, particularly where you have relevant industry experience.
Each application will be reviewed on an individual basis with appropriate advice and guidance provided.
Careers it can lead to
- Building and Civil Engineering Technicians £30,700 a year
- Estimators, Valuers and Assessors £38,900 a year
- Buyers and Procurement Officers £32,600 a year
- Construction Operatives £30,800 a year
See all 13 careers
- Road Construction Operatives £40,500 a year
- Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives £43,500 a year
- Health and Safety Managers and Officers £41,500 a year
With further study or experience
- Quantity Surveyors £45,800 a year
- Chartered Surveyors £39,600 a year
- Purchasing Managers and Directors £60,200 a year
- Production Managers and Directors in Construction £50,600 a year
- Architects £42,000 a year
- Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers and Consultants £36,700 a year
Job titles to look out for: Quantity Surveyor, Procurement Manager, Estimator.
Read more about careers and progression
This course is particularly relevant to people already working in or looking to develop a career within the construction cost-management sector although the course promotes a rounded skill-set relevant across a variety of different professions. Typical resulting career pathways include:
On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC), students can develop their careers in the construction/infrastructure sector through:
- Entering employment
- Continuing existing employment
- Linking with the appropriate professional bodies: RICS; CIOB
- Linking with the appropriate vendor accredited certificates [if appropriate]
- Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) further provides a solid academic foundation in cost management, which students can build on should they decide to continue their studies beyond the Certificate stage. Following level 4 HNC, the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma further allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study (level 6 onwards). Equally students can ‘top-up’ from the HNC to an FdSc and/or degree in Quantity Surveying.
Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).
Our partnerships
Fees and funding
£7,170
a year for UK students, full-time
£3,585
a year for UK students, part-time
Financial support
UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan to cover living costs.
We also have a range of other financial support available.
Additional costs
Your Tuition fees cover most costs associated with your course (including registration, tuition and assessment)
There may be some extra costs that you might need to make, or choose to pay, for example:
- Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the HE library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
- Printing and photocopying
- Trips and enhancement opportunities
Questions about funding?
Your next step
Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.
What happens after you apply
1
You apply
UCAS gives you an applicant ID to track your application. Apply direct and we’ll reply by email.
2
You hear back
Responses usually arrive between November and May: an unconditional offer, a conditional offer, or an unsuccessful application.
3
You get ready to start
Before you enrol we’ll need photo ID and copies of your certificates. Apply for Student Finance early.