Construction quantity surveyor (degree)
- Level
- 6
- Typical duration
- 36 months (about 3 years)
- Max funding band
- £18,000
- Route
- Construction and the built environment
Managing all costs relating to construction projects.
About the role
The occupation covered by this standard is that of a Construction Quantity Surveyor. Typical job titles can include: Quantity Surveyor, Construction Surveyor, Construction Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Analyst, Cost Manager, Project Cost Co-ordinator, Project Cost Controller, Cost Planner or Commercial Manager. Construction Quantity Surveyors are associated with the financial and legal management of construction projects. They are based on sites or in offices.How it compares
At 36 months (about 3 years), it is about average length for a degree-level apprenticeship (the average across all 172 Level 6+ standards is 39 months).
The funding band — the maximum an employer's levy can contribute to training costs — is £18,000, below the £21,500 average for degree-level standards. Apprentices never pay tuition either way.
Typical job titles
- Quantity Surveyor
- Construction Surveyor
- Construction Cost Consultant
- Cost Engineer
- Cost Analyst
- Cost Manager
- Project Cost Co-Ordinator
- Project Cost Controller
- Cost Planner
- Commercial Manager
What you'll learn
The official standard defines 12 knowledge areas, 11 skills, 4 behaviours. This is the actual assessed content of the apprenticeship — worth reading before an interview, because competency questions are usually written straight from these lists.
Knowledge 12
- Demonstrate understanding of balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and business plans
- Understand obligations for Health, Safety and Welfare issues on site, how to identify potential hazards and manage the risks
- Understand the principles for the avoidance of conflict and dispute resolution between stakeholders in a project
- Understand the environmental impact of construction activities and how to minimise negative impacts during all stages of the project
- Understand and evaluate construction legislation and various forms of contract used in a project
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the construction process and of the materials and technology that comprise best practice
- Understand the main types of procurement and the related tendering and negotiating processes required to select specialist contractors
- Understand the principles of measurement and costing of construction works and their relationship to the financial control of a project
- Understand how costs are controlled and reported on and the legal constraints
- Understand the nature of risk and its effect on the management of a project
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of the financial and legal management of construction projects during the construction phase
- Describe the principles of the programming and scheduling aspects of projects during the construction phase that ensure completion on time
Skills 11
- Be able to apply and evaluate the principles for the avoidance of conflict and dispute resolution such as adjudication and arbitration between project stakeholders
- Be able to identify and manage risks of health, safety and welfare in line with legislation, hazards and safe systems of work
- Analyse costs and benefits of sustainability initiatives on a project
- Be able to advise on the legal aspects of a project and the most suitable form of contract to be used to ensure fairness and efficiency
- Be able to advise on the most suitable construction solutions that maximise value for clients and enhance the cost effectiveness of the project within the budget constraints
- Be able to advise on the appropriateness of various procurement routes and manage and report on the tendering and negotiation processes to select specialist contractors
- Advise on appropriate methods of measurement of completed works and issue documentation required for payment to specialist contractors and income from client
- Advise construction team and the client on strategies to control predicted expenditure in line with the budget
- Carry out risk assessments and implement strategies to mitigate risk
- Monitor, report and advise construction team on project cashflows and profitability. Evaluate and advise on financial implications of decisions during the construction phase
- Assess, interpret and report on progress and assist in the control of programmes during the construction phase
Behaviours 4
- Understand and apply the Code of Conduct and conduct regulations, ethics and professional standards relevant to industrys recognised professional bodies
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to manage expectations and identify improvements
- Be able to work with others towards common goals and understand different techniques for communication and negotiation
- Identify own development needs and take appropriate action to meet those needs
Live vacancies
2 live vacancies for this course right now:
-
Apprenticeship for MEP Quantity Surveyor
Mag-7 · Southampton (SO15 1GW) · £17,500 a year
Closes in 7 days (Friday 31 July 2026 at 11:59pm) · starts 2 August 2026 -
Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprentice
Kier Group · Ipswich (IP3 9BF) · £23,000 a year
Closes in 16 days (Sunday 9 August 2026 at 11:59pm) · starts 7 September 2026
Live adverts from the government's Find an apprenticeship service, checked 2026-07-24. Closing dates move fast — apply on the official service.
Universities registered to deliver it
12 universities are on the government provider register for this standard. Registration means they can deliver it — live vacancies depend on employer partnerships each recruitment cycle.
- Anglia Ruskin University
- Liverpool John Moores University
- London South Bank University
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Southampton Solent University
- Teesside University
- University College of Estate Management
- University of Derby
- University of Greater Manchester
- University of Northumbria at Newcastle
- University of Salford
- University of Westminster
Featured programmes
Kier Group × Sheffield Hallam — Construction quantity surveyor (degree)
Kier Group is recruiting for this apprenticeship with training delivered by Sheffield Hallam University — advertised on the government's Find an apprenticeship service (checked 2026-07-24).
Mag-7 × Portsmouth — Construction quantity surveyor (degree)
Mag-7 is recruiting for this apprenticeship with training delivered by University of Portsmouth — advertised on the government's Find an apprenticeship service (checked 2026-07-24).
Related courses in Construction and the built environment
Architect (integrated degree)
Working on the design of new buildings and the redesign of existing buildings.
Architectural assistant (integrated degree)
Working with Architects and other professionals such as Engineers, to design buildings and deliver architectural projects.
Building control surveyor (integrated degree)
Providing an impartial, independent and accountable third party service to confirm that building work achieves compliance with minimum standards.
Building services engineer
Official sources
- Official standard page (Skills England)
- Registered training providers (Find apprenticeship training)
Occupational summary, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours reproduced from the ST0045 apprenticeship standard (last updated 2022-05-31) — contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Always check the official page before applying: standards get revised.