Our degree apprenticeship courses
We currently offer a range of degree apprenticeship courses. For the full range of courses visit our apprenticeships page for applicants or for business partners.
Course summary
The growth in global construction is fuelling the demand for professional quantity surveyors and construction commercial managers who can take a holistic view of construction projects – overseeing costs, contractual and procurement matters – from inception to completion. Our project-based approach to learning exposes you to live and past construction projects from the outset, preparing you to accurately predict and control project costs.
| Duration | Start date | Location | Entry level | End Point Assessment Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | September 2024 | Marylebone Campus, Central London | Level 4 | RICS |
This professionally focused degree will prepare you to confidently and effectively manage the commercial aspects of building and civil engineering projects across the property and construction industries. Whether you’re already working in construction or looking to enter the industry, you can start your journey to becoming a certified quantity surveyor or commercial manager.
Fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), it will equip you with the professional and technical skills to ensure projects are delivered on time, to the required quality and within budget. This involves early cost planning, procurement evaluation, tendering, estimating, contractual routes, project cost control and commercial management.
Our central London location and numerous industry contacts, which include Great Portland Estates, Mace, Lendlease, The Portman Estate, Wilmott Dixon, Multiplex, Transport for London and The Crown Estate, enable us to invite practising professionals to give guest lectures and regularly contribute to the course. They provide buildings as case studies for coursework, learning materials (drawings, reports, clients briefs etc.) and come into the University to give face-to-face formative feedback on students’ work. We aim to create authentic learning activities to ensure you are business-ready for employment or can further progress in your existing careers.
Shared core modules allow you to gain knowledge of the different professional roles and the interdisciplinary nature of the modern construction industry. At the end of the Level 4, you’ll be better placed to choose the course-specific modules in later years of study that emphasise the knowledge and skills for your chosen profession.
Course structure
This course provides you with knowledge and understanding of the context, core concepts and theories relevant to quantity surveyors and commercial management in the design, creation and maintenance of a sustainably built environment to meet the needs of clients both nationally and internationally. Ever mindful of your route to professional practice, we pay particular attention to developing the behaviour and attitudes required of modern construction professionals. Core modules cover subjects that cross the industry, such as health and safety, site practice, construction technology, design and form, materials and building science, structures and digital construction. Specific modules covering course and profession specific content are delivered as study progresses.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
You will be introduced to the key theories and concepts of building design, building science, construction technology, the built environment, and digital construction. You will develop your knowledge of theses core theories and concepts. Right from the start, you will be introduced to real-world projects and case studies: we try to take you out of the classroom to visit building sites and learn about quantity surveying and commercial management in the field. You also attend events and exhibitions, for example, at The Building Centre and Futurebuild. Most of the topics are around simple construction at this level.
Subjects of study include:
- Building Design
- Building Science and Structures
- Construction Technology and Services
- Introduction to the Built Environment
- Project, Commercial and Organisational Environment
- Site Engineering and Management
As the course develops, you will move on from simple construction to look at high rise and wide span building, looking at their structure and fabric and how to procure and manage their design, develop costings and procure construction services. You will look at the measurement, quantification and estimating of building costs together with the principles underlying project financial, contractual and site management. In future, we hope to offer a European field trip to highlight different international practices within construction and other manufacturing and production industries.
Subjects of study include:
- Advanced Measurement
- Construction Project Based Learning
- Construction Engineering Technology
- Environmental Science and Services
- Project and Commercial Management
- Project Procurement, Management and Law
Study focuses on the frameworks and contractual arrangements under which construction takes place to further develop your knowledge and skills in the areas of project evaluation and development, cost information systems, whole life costing and supply chain management. You will also look at professionalism and the requirements of the professional bodies, together with sustainable design and construction to ensure students are ready for the workplace and to carry on their journey to achieve professional recognition. Students also investigate a current issue of their choice in the final year. During this year, you have the option to take part in a week-long trip abroad to look at building and infrastructure projects, with some free time to explore the area that you are visiting.
Subjects of study include:
- Construction Technology and Innovation
- Contract Administration and Practice
- Current Issues in the Built Environment
- Professional Practice
- Project Evaluation and Development
- Project Management
Accreditations
This course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the world's leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property, infrastructure and construction. Successful completion fulfils the academic requirements to become a professional member with the designation MRICS after gaining experience in the workplace and passing the Assessment of Professional Competence. Additionally, the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), which has granted Westminster Business School ‘Accredited Centre Status’. Graduates from this course can apply, with appropriate experience, for membership of CIOB and the designation MCIOB. The course is also accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Programme specification
For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.
To request an accessible version of the programme specification, please email [email protected].
Download the programme specification
Entry requirements and eligibility
Our apprenticeships are only available to those employed as part of an agreed apprenticeship scheme in a related role, who are aged 18 or over on the first day, are not in full-time education and meet the ESFA funding eligibility criteria. Further details are available on our How to apply page.
Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements of the course:
- A Levels – BCC to BBB (104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points)
- International Baccalaureate – 104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the IB
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM to DDM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D*
- Access – 104 to 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to the above, it is a requirement that all applicants can demonstrate competency at a Level 2 standard in English and maths. This will be assessed during the application process, as part of the initial assessment stage.
It is a mandatory requirement, that in order for an apprentice to reach End Point Assessment, they must hold a Level 2 achievement in English and maths and be able to provide a copy of the original certificate of achievement.
Current acceptable evidence can be found on the Education and Skills Funding Agency's list of acceptable qualifications for English and maths requirements.
Those who are able to demonstrate competence at Level 2 but who are unable to provide evidence of prior attainment, such as a GCSE at grade C or 4 and above in English and Maths, will be required to obtain this during their first year of the apprenticeship. The University of Westminster will support any apprentice this affects, by facilitating an option to study for Level 2 Functional Skills English and maths with a partner organisation, in order to meet the requirement to progress to year two of the apprenticeship.
Fees
Employers who pay the levy are able to use their available levy funds to cover the training and assessment costs. Employers who do not pay the apprenticeship levy share the cost of training and assessing their apprentices with the government – this is called 'co-investment'. Non-levy paying employers will contribute 5% towards the cost of apprenticeship training and the government will pay the rest (95%) up to the funding band maximum.
University module retakes are not included in apprenticeship levy funding. Employers will be charged separately. The current fee is £1,540 (price per 20-credit module).
Any Apprentice who is referred at the End Point Assessment (EPA) will be able to resit the EPA on a maximum of two further occasions. The EPA resit fee includes an additional year’s access to the RICS Assessment Resource Centre and one reassessment. Any resits are payable by the employer outside the levy. The EPA resit fee is £450 per apprentice per resit.
Careers/professional development
Our course was designed with input from a range of industry professionals and, to retain currency and relevance, we receive ongoing feedback from the School’s Employability Advisory Board. Current members include practitioner representatives from the multinational construction, property and infrastructure company Lendlease, commercial property experts Chase and Partners, and CABE. You’ll be taught by staff with substantial industry experience and be exposed to real professional practice and projects throughout.
We are proud of our excellent industry links with a host of construction companies and key professional bodies, including RICS, CIOB and CABE. They enable us to host a highly successful Annual Property and Construction Careers Fair, which in 2019 attracted 40 employers including CBRE, Mace, JLL, Barratt Developments, Bouygues UK, Savills, Carter Jonas and Grainger.
Course Leader
Olayinka Omoboye
Olayinka Omoboye is a respected leader in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. With a forward-thinking approach and an impressive educational background, Olayinka is currently in the final stages of his PhD in Quantity Surveying at the Federal University of Technology, Minna. He seamlessly blends academic knowledge with extensive practical experience, gained over 17 years of dedicated service in the construction industry.
As a consultant, Olayinka has overseen complex projects, managed procurement processes with meticulous attention to detail, and consistently delivered successful project outcomes. He has earned qualifications such as the Chartered Construction Manager designation from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Chartered Quantity Surveyor status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). He is also affiliated with esteemed professional bodies such as the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS). Olayinka is a dedicated educator, currently serving as a Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the University of Westminster. He is committed to providing his students with a comprehensive and industry-relevant education, reflected in his exceptional pass rates. He also plays a crucial role in curriculum development and academic guidance as the head of the Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management course.
Beyond academia, Olayinka is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. He champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring each student feels valued and respected. His research interests include AI's ethical application and resilience within the built environment. Olayinka's contributions have earned him well-deserved recognition, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence. He is a visionary leader dedicated to shaping the future of Quantity Surveying.
Teaching and assessment
This is how you can expect to be taught and assessed at the University of Westminster. Your apprenticeship will include additional requirements, agreed in partnership with your employer, designed to develop and evidence your skills in the workplace.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertations
Course location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses.
For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Contact us
We are keen to establish new relationships with employers from a wide range of sectors and welcome enquiries. For more information please contact our dedicated apprenticeships team on:
+44 (0) 207 911 5027
[email protected]