Oxford Brookes University

What you'll study

The foundation year provides core knowledge and practical skills to prepare you for the degree stages of building surveying. Teaching combines lectures, workshops, laboratory sessions and small-group project work to develop both technical competence and academic study skills.

• Construction technology and materials – fundamentals of building components, construction methods, material properties and detailing for different building types.
• Measurement and drawing – manual and digital measurement techniques, technical drawing, CAD and introduction to building information modelling (BIM).
• Surveying principles – basic site surveying, condition recording, defect identification and the use of surveying instruments.
• Mathematics for construction – practical numeracy, measurement calculation, quantities and rates relevant to estimating and specification.
• Study and academic skills – report writing, research methods, referencing, presentation skills and IT skills for built environment students.
• Introduction to professional practice – overview of the roles of building surveyors, health and safety, ethics, and the regulatory context including planning and building control.
• Applied project – a small integrated design/survey project that brings together technical, investigative and communication skills.

Successful completion of the foundation year progresses you onto the main BSc Building Surveying programme where modules become more specialised (for example building pathology, building conservation, contract administration, project management and advanced measured surveying) and where professional accreditation routes are introduced.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a UK secondary education profile that falls below direct entry to the honours degree but demonstrates potential to succeed on a foundation year: for example, a set number of GCSEs including English and mathematics, or equivalent vocational qualifications such as a Level 2 or 3 BTEC. The course is also aimed at mature students and applicants with relevant work experience or an Access to Higher Education diploma.

International applicants are expected to show recognised equivalent qualifications and proficiency in English; institutional guidance will indicate acceptable English tests and scores. Selection may include consideration of a personal statement and interview to assess motivation and suitability for progression into the degree.

Career prospects

Graduates who progress through the full BSc in Building Surveying commonly enter careers in surveying, property and construction. Typical roles include:

• Building surveyor (domestic, commercial or institutional buildings)
• Property and asset manager
• Project or site manager in construction and refurbishment
• Conservation and heritage surveyor
• Facilities manager and maintenance consultant
• Quantity surveying support roles and technical consultancy

Completing the honours degree after the foundation year can provide the academic requirements to pursue professional membership and chartered status with bodies such as the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) via the appropriate accredited degree route and subsequent professional experience.

Why study at Oxford Brookes University

Oxford Brookes has a well-established built environment provision with strong links to industry and professional bodies, giving students access to guest lectures, live project briefs and placement opportunities. Teaching emphasises practical, vocational learning supported by workshops, laboratories and up-to-date software used in practice, including CAD and BIM tools.

The university’s location close to Oxford’s rich built heritage provides excellent case-study opportunities for conservation and building pathology work, while dedicated careers and employability services help students secure work placements and graduate positions. Small-group teaching, experienced academic staff with professional backgrounds and clear progression pathways into the accredited honours degree make the foundation year a practical route into a building surveying career.