Course overview

In our Quantity Surveying Foundation Programme, you will be equipped with the essential groundwork for your future undergraduate studies, offering a clear path towards BSc Quantity Surveying. This programme is designed to provide a well-rounded education, focusing not only on technical skills but also on the interpersonal and ethical aspects of the profession.

On this programme, you will learn, collaborate, and flourish through a blend of academic modules, specific subject knowledge, and project-based learning with students in other infrastructure areas and foundation students across different frameworks. This approach mimics the real-life working world, where your career will be enriched by working alongside people with different skill sets, viewpoints, and approaches, while also supporting a wider community of learning and building the specific skills for your progression.

“My lecturers were invaluable during my time at university. They were happy to help me, and their advice was key when trying to find placement and graduate roles.”

Verity Kelly

Graduate Quantity Surveyor, Kier

Why Quantity Surveying Foundation Programme at Aston University?

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Gold standard teaching

Aston University was awarded Gold- the highest possible rating for Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF, 2023)

Earn more

Our graduates are among the highest paid in the country, earning on average £42,700 five years after graduating (Longitudinal Education Outcomes, 2025)

Hands on collaborative teaching

Our dedicated academics ensure smooth transitions for students from diverse backgrounds

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Whatever your Aston University journey, we're here to help. Discover what's possible with Careers and Placements.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.

AI & Digital

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Inclusive Leadership

Environmental Sustainability

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Course description

Quantity Surveying Foundation Programme

Aston University's foundation programme in Quantity Surveying will empower you with the essential skills and knowledge to transition onto BSc Quantity Surveying.

What we will provide
First-class teaching in the UK’s second largest city, delivered by experienced and passionate faculty members who are not only experts in their fields but dedicated to helping you succeed. You will make use of state-of-the-art facilities, including modern computer labs.

We are an Adobe Creative Campus meaning you will have access to top-notch software licenses, including Adobe and Solidworks, commonly used in industry. To find out more, visit here.

It is not mandatory to bring your own device for this course, however if you choose to do so please note will need laptop specifications of i5 or above (or AMD equivalent).

What you will provide
We are looking for students who are up for a challenge, have a passion for technology, a curious mind, and a hunger to make a real impact. Embracing a growth mindset and continuously seeking self-improvement will serve you well on your academic journey.

What skills we teach
Hands-on collaborative learning lies at the heart of our programme. Through practical and project-based activities, you will actively engage with course material, working together in teams to tackle real-world challenges. This hands-on approach will enhance critical thinking, problem-solving and teamworking skills, preparing you for the dynamic demands of quantity surveying.

Progression opportunities.
On successful completion of our foundation programme, you will then have the opportunity to transition onto our BSc Quantity Surveying degree. Graduates from the BSc degree have gone onto successful roles such as Quality Engineer, Risk Advisory Consultant, Building Control Surveyor, and Structural Engineer, with graduates excelling in notable companies like Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Mail, and more.

How you will learn

Our teaching methods range from engaging lectures to interactive workshops, allowing you to absorb knowledge through multiple approaches. You will dive into real-world projects that challenge and inspire you through hands on work, where you will put theory into practice.

Here at Aston University, we are passionate about supporting our students. You will have a personal tutor throughout your studies to provide support and guidance. The Library and Learning Services is there to provide maths support, academic writing development, advice, and strategies for managing your studies. You will also have the opportunity to get involved in PAL sessions, learning from your peers who have been through the course content before you.

Extracurricular:

If you wish to you can partake in extracurriculars with our built environment society. The society is student-led and often hosts CPD sessions, industry talks, and site visits, enhancing your practical knowledge and industry connections beyond the classroom.

What you will learn

Driven by the needs of industry and individuals, our course provides you with an introductory understanding of key quantity surveying concepts and an ability to critically analyse these, alongside the opportunity to specialise in areas of quantity surveying that interest you. Whilst developing the essential skills to transition onto BSc Quantity Surveying, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience that sets you apart in industry.

Facilities

Teaching won’t just be lectures, you’ll have workshops, guest lectures, and visits to relevant sites to make sure your understanding is grounded in industry, ensuring you are ready for the working world when you graduate.

Complete your practical work in our brand new, state of art laboratory facilities in highway engineering, materials and structures, the latest industry-standard engineering software packages, and a well-resourced and staffed library.

Course objectives

Provides you with the necessary fundamental skills and knowledge for progression into Stage 1 of study.
Develops transferrable and communication skills required to be successful in further study.
Develops ethical and inclusive, problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Graduates will begin to develop the global awareness, sustainability and inclusive practice required in modern professional practice.

Modules

Foundation year modules

In your foundation year you will study the following core modules:

Module Title	Credits
Undergraduate Professional Skills	15
Mathematics 1	15
Introduction to Scientific Principles	15
Industries of the Future	15
Global Engineering Project	15
Fundamentals of Engineering Management	15
Introduction to Supply Chain and Logistics Engineering	15
Developing Client Relationships	15
Total	120

Foundation year outcomes

On successful completion of your foundation year, you will be able to:

Use mathematical principles to solve well-defined problems.
Solve well-defined problems using technical and scientific concepts relevant to the framework of study.
Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, demonstrating inclusive, effective communication and teamwork skills.
Communicate discipline relevant technical ideas and solutions effectively, in a variety of ways, to diverse audiences, using appropriate terminology.
Conduct practical activities using appropriate equipment/tools, review data and draw conclusions to support technical decision-making relevant to the framework of study.
Discuss ethical and professional responsibilities, including stakeholder involvement, sustainability, safety, technical, EDI, and social factors.
Collect, interpret, and present, data from a variety of sources.
Reflect on their own learning needs and successes.
Demonstrate awareness of project management principles and methods.

We may update our courses to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our course webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

ASTON POWER SKILLS

Built into every undergraduate degree

Gain the skills employers look for worldwide.
As an Aston student, you will develop expertise in four key areas:

AI & Digital

Join the rise of the humans. Don't fear AI, master it and use it for good. Develop digital skills for the future, whatever career you want to pursue.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Don't follow the rules, rewrite them. Today’s fast-changing world needs original thinkers. Creators. Innovators. Risk takers. So get ready to think smart and reach the next level.

Inclusive Leadership

Make space for every voice to be heard. Be the one who brings people together with a shared vision. Learn to break down barriers and be the leader the future needs.

Environmental Sustainability

It's not game over for our planet. It's game on. Together we can create a greener tomorrow. The world urgently needs graduates who can shape more sustainable and ethical ways of working. The future depends on it.

Entry requirements

A Levels

Standard offer: CCD
EPQ Offer: CDD and Level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) grade B
Aston ready (Widening participation) offer: DDD
Contextual offers

Aston Ready is our contextual offer scheme that could reduce your undergraduate offer by one or two grades. Assessed at the point of application, there are no additional forms to fill in.

Contextual offer criteria

Extended Diploma and National Extended Diploma: Merit Merit Merit
Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade of Merit
National Diploma and Diploma: Merit Merit plus 1 A-level at minimum Grade D
Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with an overall grade Merit plus an A-Level in any subject at grade D OR achieve an overall grade Merit plus a BTEC Sub Dip/ Extended National Cert in any subject grade Merit
Foundation or 90 credits Diploma: Merit Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD
National Extended Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma: Merit plus 2 A-level minimum Grade CD

26 including 3, 3, 3 in Higher Level subjects

Successful completion of the QAA-recognised Access Diploma with 60 credits including 45 credits at Level 3. You must obtain a minimum of 9 Distinctions, 12 Merits and 24 Pass.

All subjects are accepted at T Level: Merit

Additionally to our Level 3 requirement each applicant must meet a GCSE (level 2) requirements:

GCSE English Language or Literature minimum grade C/4
GCSE Mathematics minimum grade C/4

Fees and scholarships

Course fees

This foundation programme is available to UK students only. International students interested in a foundation programme should visit OnCampus Aston.

The fees set out below are not confirmed. We will update this webpage with the confirmed fees for 2027/28 by 31 July 2026.

UK students
(2027/28)

Annual tuition fees:

£10,050*

*UK students (Home Undergraduate):

Subject to parliamentary approval, the first year tuition fee will be £10,050, increasing annually in line with inflation for subsequent academic years.

On 20 October 2025, the Government announced that tuition fees in England will be increased annually in line with inflation, starting in 2026. The Government have since confirmed that it intends to determine the inflation-linked increase using the Retail Price Index, although this is subject to parliamentary approval.

According to the Department for Education’s Policy Paper published on 26 November, the annual tuition fee for the Programme commencing in the academic year 2027/28 is expected to be £10,050, subject to parliamentary approval. If you are holding an offer at Aston, when the annual tuition fee for your Programme for the 2027/28 academic year has been confirmed, we will write to update you. We will also provide as much information as we can about the inflation-linked increase in tuition fees for future academic years.

The duration of your programme is set out at the top of this webpage and you will be responsible for the payment of an annual tuition fee in each of these years. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually in accordance with its terms and conditions and subject at all times to the maximum tuition fee caps set by Government from time to time. Please note that our current Terms and Conditions are for 2026 entry. We expect to publish our 2027 entry Terms and Conditions in summer 2026. This means that your total tuition fee may be higher than stated above. An increase in fees will allow the University to cover the increased costs of delivering the course and ensure it is able to maintain high standards of education and facilities.

Scholarships

At Aston University we are committed to supporting the most talented and hardworking students to achieve their potential by providing a range of scholarships to help lower tuition and living costs.

Explore our scholarships

Assessment

The way we assess you will be diverse, blending exams with coursework, portfolio submissions, and digital design on platforms. Assessing you through different practices will help gain an overall understanding of your knowledge.

The assessment methods will reflect the most effective and relevant way to review your performance for each module. Therefore, each module will be assessed in a variety of ways to reflect your knowledge from that module and how you would apply it in the real world.

Career prospects

Foundation programmes at Aston are designed to prepare you for successful progression to your chosen undergraduate degree. By developing essential academic skills, subject knowledge and confidence in university‑level study, the foundation year gives you a strong platform for success throughout your bachelors degree and future career.

Upon completion of the BSc Quantity Surveying degree, students have gone on to work in a variety of roles including Construction and Project Management, Risk Advisory Consultancy, Procurement Advisor and Management, and Structural Engineering. Notable companies like Jaguar Land Rover and Turner and Townsend have hired previous Aston University graduates who are enjoying fantastic careers.

Be part of our community

Once you have joined us at Aston University, you’ll always be part of our community, even beyond graduation.

Alumni Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Why study the Quantity Surveying Foundation Programme at Aston University?

Our Quantity Surveying Foundation Programme builds your mathematical, analytical and construction knowledge. You’ll learn through interactive classes, real-world case studies and practical tasks linked to cost management and construction economics.

Aston’s foundation team provides personalised support, small-group sessions and access to tutoring and workshops to strengthen your academic skills.

You’ll also join a vibrant student community with access to societies and campus facilities. This supportive environment prepares you for success in quantity surveying degrees.

Is Birmingham a good place to study?

Our campus is based in the centre of Birmingham, the youngest major city in Europe and a great place to live, work and study.

Great music and entertainment with a vibrant nightlife. Bars, clubs, pubs, live music, festivals, concerts. Whatever your tastes, there's something here for everyone.
Fantastic food. Birmingham's diverse community means you can try anything from the famous Balti triangle, the Chinese Quarter, high street chains, halal and vegan food, and Michelin-star dining.
World-class shopping. The Bullring and Grand Central is a shopper's paradise. From the world's biggest Primark to luxury brands at the Mailbox.
Arts and culture. Museums, galleries, theatres, concerts and Birmingham's art collection is as wide as it is impressive - not to be missed.
Green, open spaces. One of the greenest cities in Europe, Birmingham has hundreds of publicly accessible parks and green spaces across the city.
Sporting action. Birmingham has some of the most exciting venues for watching or participating in sport in the UK.

Discover Birmingham