This course is designed for people with career experience in the built environment but limited qualifications, those working in a professional support role in property or construction, or those wishing to take the first step in changing to a career in property or construction.
Summary
Award: Diploma in Surveying Practice (DipSurvPract)
Duration: 2 years
Time commitment: 15 hours a week of study for 42 weeks of each year
Application and commencement dates:
31 July 2009 to start 1 September 2009
1 February 2010 to start 1 March 2010
Recognition – RICS
You can apply to RICS to enrol for the Assessment of Technical Competence (ATC) at the start of Level 1.
The course provides a route to becoming a home inspector or domestic energy assessor that has credit tariff approval from the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE), through an additional post-Diploma module.
On successful completion of the Diploma you can enrol on a BSc degree course and become eligible to work towards full Membership of RICS and/or CIOB. Subject to confirmation, you may be eligible for exemption from Level 1A of the BSc, depending on the grades you achieve.
Entry requirements
You should have:
• English language proficiency
• Mathematics Grade C or above at GCSE or equivalent
Exemptions
Exemptions will normally be considered on a module-by-module basis up to a maximum of 50% of the course (either Level 1 or 2). The basis for consideration of exemption from a module is normally as follows:
• A Level at grade C or above in a relevant subject (Level 1 module exemption only)
• HNC/HND in relevant subjects (merits and distinctions recognised in the final award)
• A relevant professional qualification or at least 10 years’ relevant experience in the property and construction profession with evidence of five years’ appropriate structured learning (Level 1 module exemption only)
Exemption from the Portfolio of Work-Based Learning may be granted if you have NVQ at Level 3 in an appropriate property- or construction-related subject.
Course outline
Level 1 – Key Elements of the Surveying Profession
Compulsory modules
Technical and Professional Communication (coursework only) – written, spoken and nonverbal communication; use of ICT; principles of information systems management.
Legal Studies – introduction to English legal systems; civil obligation; law of contract; law of tort.
Building Technology A – alternative technical solutions to performance requirements; low-rise, small span erection and assembly processes; performance of building materials in local environment; elementary building services; environmental analysis and control.
Portfolio of Work-Based Learning – reinforces personal and professional development through the relationship between course content and the workplace; comprises a diary of professional experience and an end-of-year written personal reflection (continues at Level 2).
Module options (choose one)
Introduction to Construction Practice (coursework only) – introduction to construction and development industries; construction team; construction procurement; construction measurement and pricing.
Introduction to M&E QS Practice (coursework only) – introduction to construction and development industries; procurement routes; construction team; introduction to M&E measurement; estimating measurement and pricing.
Land Use Studies (coursework only) – nature and aims of land use; planning and development in local situations; formal land use control procedures; policy aspects of land use.
Level 2 – Understanding the Market
Compulsory modules
Building Technology B – high-rise, long span buildings with complex foundations; environmental control; basic structural principles; maintenance problems and solutions.
Introduction to Management – organizational structures; communications; decision-making models; human resource management; employment law; health and safety; leadership, management and motivation; financial management and analysis; planning, scheduling, project control and accounting.
Portfolio of Work-Based Learning – (continues from Level 1) reinforces personal and professional development through the relationship between course content and the workplace; comprises a diary of professional experience and an end-of-year written personal reflection.
Module options (choose one)
Introduction to Construction Economics – methods of estimating cost of construction work; factors influencing cost of buildings; cost planning; cost analysis; pre-contract cost control; contractor’s estimating and tendering; whole life costing; economics of construction market.
Introduction to Property Economics – demand and supply of land and buildings; concept of a perfect market and comparison with non heterogeneity of property market; price, value and worth; measurement; five methods of valuation; appraisal and valuation of property.
Technical Skills module options (choose one)
Technical Skills – Real Estate Agency – agency law; property market; marketing principles; sources of instructions; methods of sale; types of agency; negotiating; advertising; selling; finance; freehold/leasehold; sales, lettings, rent reviews; surveys; valuation; property management; Internet; health and safety.
Technical Skills – Construction Practice – contract procurement strategy; contractor selection; standard forms of contract in common use; subcontracting; payment; changing the contract; quality control; time, damages; insolvency; introduction to dispute resolution.
Technical Skills – Building Pathology – defect identification procedures; maintenance and repair options; life cycle costing; facilities management; measurement; health and safety issues.
Technical Skills – Commercial Property Practice – management of property as an asset; landlord and tenant lease liabilities; landlord remedies in cases of tenant default; professional codes of conduct; calculation, allocation and recovery of service charges; management records.
Technical Skills – M&E QS Practice – measurement of more complex M&E works; introduction to basic principles of contractor selection; standard forms of contract in common use; subcontracting; payment; changing the contract; quality control; time; introduction to dispute resolution; health and safety.
Route to becoming a home inspector or domestic energy assessor
If you want to become a home inspector or domestic energy assessor you must take the Building Pathology option at Level 2 and a further 12-week assignment-only module in Home Inspectors’ Practice after the Diploma (covering the National Occupational Standards and other aspects of home inspection/domestic energy assessment). You then complete a portfolio and a mandatory external test allowing you to apply for accreditation. Contact an assessment centre such as Surveyors and Valuers Accreditation (SAVA) for further details.
Face-to-Face teaching
Four one-day sessions take place each year in Reading. Alternative UK teaching venues may be possible if numbers permit. Overnight accommodation is not provided as part of the course.
Assessment
Level 1
Technical and Professional Communication, Introduction to Construction Practice, Introduction to M&E QS Practice and Land Use Studies – assignments only.
Legal Studies and Building Technology A – assignments and examinations.
Level 2
All subjects assessed by both assignments and examinations except the Portfolio of Work- Based Learning, which records your work experience for the equivalent of 13 hours a week for six months in the first year of the course and nine months in the second year. The Portfolio is assessed on the basis of being ‘satisfactory’ or ‘not yet satisfactory’.
Assignments
You will complete and submit assignments each year for assessment according to the timetable of the course.
Exams
• Two 3-hour written papers in the second block at Level 1, normally in July (September start) and January (March start)
• Two 3-hour written papers per block at Level 2, normally in February and July (September start) and August and January (March start)
Admissions and enquiries
Email: courses@cem.ac.uk
Tel: 0800 019 9697 (freephone UK)
+44 (0) 118 921 4696 (international)
Fax: +44 (0) 118 921 4620