Msc Quantity surveying

[mm23]

I've just secured a place to complete my Msc quantity surveying course, I have got a offer from London South bank University and also from Kingston University.

I have been working for a small construction company for the past 18 months and have enjoyed what my job entails. Focusing on project management/cost estimation side of things at a assistant level. Working with one of the partners estimating work, but also been managing the subcontractors, deliveries, ordering materials and dealing with any problems along the way.

Projects have been conversion of properties into flats and HMO, refurbishing residential dwellings and some basic commercial refits. Projects have ranged up to £500k.

Reasoning behind the masters my current employer cannot really offer me any job progression. So have been considering my options, and as my undergrad is not RICS accredited, employment at different firms is not really a option. This conclusion has been made from my research into job roles.

I understand that currently my job role is more project management orientated, but i would like to pursue quantity surveying as it would open more options for me. I could still stick with project management but can also consider cost control, estimation etc.

I have spoken to the Universities thoroughly, they have assured me these courses are tailored as conversion courses. On the other hand speaking with others i have also been told that they are fairly intense (i expect that being a Msc). Any one on here completed a Msc in surveying? How difficult if not from a construction background? Undergrad is in business.

I am currently handing out my CV at building sites to enable me to get some voluntary work experience. I have also mailed my CV to the larger house builders to see if I can gain any voluntary work experience. I have also looked at smaller surveying firms with no joy. I am funding my Msc myself and yet I am still finding it impossible to gain experience. I want to have a larger companies name on my CV which I find will be more beneficial than the small company I currently work for.

Any idea where I could gain work with day release (that would be the dream scenarios) and i will pay for my masters myself? or failing that any place that would let me gain experience and i would do it for free? albeit for a fewer days a week?

Any help appreciated?

Edited by mm23 on Monday 18th August 15:07

[dxg]

If it's a non-cognate conversion course intended to fast track people from pretty much any background into the profession, then it will do you fine. Expect lots of contract admin content and, if you're lucky some construction technology (the lack of time to cover this is the limitation of the conversion course).

Also worth noting that Kingston has a dire reputation, and Bank not much better.

All IMHO, of course.

If you're really up for a challenge, what bout a PM full-fat MSc at UCL or Reading?

Edited because I went back and read your post properly...

Edited by dxg on Monday 18th August 15:09

[mm23]

I was thinking as these were tailored to non cognate conversion course it would be more suited to me.

I also need to stay in London so these were my two choices.

Any more feedback will be appreciated

[mm23]

Anyone else?

Seems to be a lot of surveyors on here, going by the old posts?

[malks222]

Dont have any experience of the London job market for quantity surveyors, but in scotland it seems to be way more about experience. I've always found that if I've applied for a QS position, they see you have a degree/HND/HNC and go great you have a formal qualification, now what sort of projects have you worked on?

what sort of contracts have you used? what experience do you have? can you do a CVR for a main construction project? do you sit and do take offs all day? how are you at contract negotiations? would you fit in with the existing team?

I would be tempted to get out and look for a new position instead of going back to university. Also your degree may not be RICS accredited, however have you looked at the 'experienced' route for gaining RICS membership? it takes longer but you basically prove your experience/knowledge.

[mm23]

Thank you for the reply, I understand experience is always required. This is the reason why i am trying to get a position as a trainee. Surely i would be more attractive to employers, as i am self funding my Msc?

[malks222]

well you could look for/ speak to some companies and see if they take on trainee's/ part time staff. I started working for a main contractor and was sent to university to study Qs'ing part time (1 or 2 days a week during term time). the rest of the time i worked with them on projects/sites/in the office as a normal member of staff. this is quite a common way to gain a QS degree.

I'm not sure if you already have a QS qualification that many companies would bother funding/taking you part time to study further.

If I were you, I would just be looking for assistant QS positions within the sector of construction you have experience in and just work the way up the ladder as normal.

[mm23]

My undergraduate is in Business, hence not rics accredited. So finding a job without going university is pretty impossible, my current employer is to small to provide me with anymore progression. Therefore going back to uni and looking for unpaid work across London to gain the experience i need.

[FreiWild]

I know it is sort of off topic, but I always thought that "quantity surveying" was a euphemism for being unemployed.

Now I realise that it is an actual thing!

Anyway back on topic, hope it all goes well for you.

[malks222]

mm23 said:

My undergraduate is in Business, hence not rics accredited. So finding a job without going university is pretty impossible, my current employer is to small to provide me with anymore progression. Therefore going back to uni and looking for unpaid work across London to gain the experience i need.

apologies, I've completely mis-understood your original post. When you said your original under grad wasnt RICS accredited, I thought you meant you had an HNC/HND or degree from a college/university in Quantity Surveying that wasnt recognised by the RICS (watch out as some course are not recognised by them!)

Then yeah, get yourself back to uni for the Msc in quantity surveying. however I would look apply for jobs, seek an employer willing to put you to uni part time. loads of companies do it, its a way for them to get cheap labour (eg for doing take offs, measuring, mundane tasks) and it gets you great experience and paid while studying. You only go to uni 1 maybe 2 days tops per week during term time (only 10/12weeks at a time) working the rest for the company then working full time outwith term time.

[ClaphamGT3]

Have you applied for the grad/apprentice/trainee schemes at the bigger firms. Although process/timetable driven, this is where you will get the experience and flexibility you need. We recruit mainly cognate grads from Reading and Southbank but also take on non cognates, apprentices and trainees.

PM me if you want more details/specific advice

[dxg]

Just avoid anything that's heading you towards the new Associate membership as that's a dead-end career wise, in my opinion.

[mm23]

Thank for the replies guys, yes my ungrad not being related to construction is a stumbling point.

I am going to take on the offer from one of the uni's; Kingston being the easier one for me to commute to, however my understanding is Southbank is better for surveying? Anyone care to advise?

Has anyone actually done a Msc as a conversion course?

Like stated before I have been actively cold calling the large constructions firms to ask for voluntary work experience?

I am really interested in Willmott Dixon interiors, as i believe i can transfer some of my current skills over to them, will see how it goes?

Please guys keep the advice coming?

ClaphamGT3- you have pm

[ClaphamGT3]

mm23 said:

Thank for the replies guys, yes my ungrad not being related to construction is a stumbling point.

I am going to take on the offer from one of the uni's; Kingston being the easier one for me to commute to, however my understanding is Southbank is better for surveying? Anyone care to advise?

Has anyone actually done a Msc as a conversion course?

Like stated before I have been actively cold calling the large constructions firms to ask for voluntary work experience?

I am really interested in Willmott Dixon interiors, as i believe i can transfer some of my current skills over to them, will see how it goes?

Please guys keep the advice coming?

ClaphamGT3- you have pm

Nothing through yet.....

[mm23]

Sorry buddy I emailed you through you members profile.

[tleefox]

Whereabouts are you in the country?

[mm23]

I am based in London, very close to Wembley stadium

Edited to add which uni is better London Southbank or Kingston?

Edited by mm23 on Thursday 21st August 21:23

[vescaegg]

I did my undergrad RICS/CIOB QS course at Kingston part time sponsored through where I originally worked; it was 1 day a week over 5 yrs.
I think either will be fine to be honest - neither are top uni's though. Go to the one which you prefer when you visit and will be the best commute.

I think if you have been sort of doing the role in some capacity now, with a bit of searching you may find someone who will take you on as an assistant QS and even put you through the course. I really strongly suggest trying for this as much as possible; things have picked up massively in the last while and it could be a very good way in. That you have been doing the job for a while already may give you an edge.

Good luck!

Edited by vescaegg on Friday 22 August 07:41

[mm23]

Thank you above for the advice. I have been informed by someone who is on the final stages of the Msc course, to secure a work placement before i commence on the masters.

I have until the 15th to decide whether I want to start the masters this year or to defer it until the next academic year.

Please keep the advice coming.

[Mattt]

Drop me a PM with your details and CV