Diploma in
Surveying Practice

• An established distance learning route to achieving Associate Membership of RICS (AssocRICS)
• Opportunity to progress on to a BSc (Hons) degree course with CEM
• Property, construction and specialist mechanical and electrical quantity surveying options available
• Open up career opportunities in residential and/or commercial real estate, quantity surveying, construction management or building surveying

Award:
Diploma in Surveying Practice (DipSP)

Duration:
2 years

Time commitment:
15 hours a week of study for 42 weeks per annum

Apply by:
 5 August 2013

Course starts:
 01 September 2013

Fees:
Parts 1 and 2 - £1,495 per annum

Total course fee £2,990

Bursaries are available for this course.

Supplemental fees for international postage may apply

You can apply to RICS, at the start of Part 1, to enrol for the Associate grade of membership (AssocRICS).

Relevant work-based material prepared for the Diploma in Surveying Practice at CEM can also be submitted for the RICS Associate Assessment.

On successful completion of the Diploma, you can enrol on a BSc(Hons) 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 Part 1 of the BSc, depending on the grades you achieve.

You should have:

• English language proficiency
• Mathematics Grade C or above at GCSE or equivalent

Evidence is required in the form of certificates or statements. You should send photocopies that have been certified as true copies by a chartered professional or academic. Please do not send original documents.

You are also usually required to be 18 years of age or over and in relevant employment. A letter of support from your employer or organised mentor should be submitted with your application form. Note that your employer can use your attendance on this course to meet the requirements for Investors in People status.

Exemptions will normally be considered on a module-by-module basis up to a maximum of 50% of the course (either Part 1 or 2). The basis for consideration of exemption from a module is normally as follows:

• 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 professions with evidence of five years' appropriate structured learning (Part 1 module exemption only)

Exemption from the Portfolio of Work-Based Learning may be granted if you have an NVQ at Level 3 in an appropriate property- or construction-related subject.

Download information on choosing your elective module

Part 1 - Key Elements of the Surveying Profession

Compulsory Modules

Technical and Professional Communication (coursework only)

written, spoken and non-verbal 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 Part 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.

Part 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

organisational 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 Part 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; life cycle 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.

Optional face-to-face sessions may be held in Reading during your course of study.*

Overnight accommodation is not provided as part of these optional sessions.

Other media formats may be offered as an addition/alternative to face-to-face sessions.

*Availability of teaching will be based on the number of module registrations received in each teaching location.

Part 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.

Part 2

All subjects are 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 Part 1, normally in July
• Four 3-hour written papers at Part 2, normally two papers in February and two papers in July

If you wish to apply for the Diploma in Surveying Practice, you can apply online. Alternatively, please download a paper version of the application form.