Quantity Surveying Suirbhéireacht Chainníochta

The MSc Quantity Surveying is a part-time conversion programme that enables graduates of a non-cognate discipline to acquire a qualification in Quantity Surveying at Masters level (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications). The programme is delivered by highly experienced staff within the School of Surveying and Construction Innovation (SSCI) in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment.  

The aim of the course is to educate and prepare leaners for a career as a Quantity Surveyor (QS) and upon completion, graduates are eligible to register the title of Quantity Surveyor in line with the Building Control Act, 2007.  

The QS profession plays a central role in the provision of a sustainable built environment with responsibility for cost, contract and commercial management across public and private construction sectors. QS’s provide expertise in building measurement, construction technology and life cycle costing and have knowledge of the economic, legal and financial context within solutions to complex challenges are provided. QS are involved throughout the circular built environment.

The programme builds on the intellectual formation achieved in previous professional and academic studies to develop a range of competencies to formulate solutions to delivering a sustainable construction and built environment sector, using a range of technical and digital skills.

Professional Accreditation

The programme is fully accredited by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and consequently the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Students registered on the programme may be eligible to apply of their Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) with the SCSI upon enrolment on the programme (subject to suitable employment), thereby using their period of study on the programme towards the APC requirements. Graduates of the MSc QS programme may therefore be eligible to apply for APC assessment at the next available opportunity post-graduation.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants to the MSc in Quantity Surveying must be employed, in Ireland, within the Construction and Built Environment sector in a Quantity Surveying or Estimating capacity. To be eligible for admission. Applicants must:

• Hold a Level 8 honours bachelor's degree (minimum 2.2 classification) or equivalent qualification in a non-cognate discipline.
• Note that your undergraduate degree does not need to be in a construction-related field, and no prerequisite qualification in construction is required. If you do not hold a Level 8 qualification – you may make an application based on prior learning (see details below).
• Be employed in a Quantity Surveying or Estimating role within the construction and built environment sector in Ireland for the duration of the programme.
• While applicants do not need to be employed as a Quantity Surveyor at the time of application, they must be working as a Quantity Surveyor, Trainee Quantity Surveyor, or Estimator by the commencement of the programme in Ireland. Employment may be with either a professional Quantity Surveying practice or a Contracting organisation.

Offers

If you are offered a place on TU223, the offer may be either ‘firm’ or ‘conditional’. To secure your place on the programme, you must accept the offer (either firm or conditional) and pay the required deposit.

If you are not employed in a relevant role at the time of application, a conditional offer may be issued. Securing suitable employment is the responsibility of the applicant, the condition of the offer will be that you obtain a qualifying position, as outlined above, prior to the commencement of the programme in September. Evidence of employment must be provided by July in the form of a letter from your employer confirming your role and responsibilities as a Quantity Surveyor, Construction Cost Consultant, Estimator, or another approved-related role in the construction and built environment sector in Ireland.

Offers may also be subject to the following conditions:

• Submission of final academic results and award documentation, where applicants are currently completing the final year of their programme.
• Provision of relevant residence and/or employment permits, where applicable.
• Evidence of RPL as outlined below for non-standard applicants.
• If your first language is not English - Submission of evidence of English language proficiency, in accordance with the requirements outlined below.

Non-Standard Entry

The School of Surveying and Construction Innovation (SSCI) are committed to widening participation in the programme while promoting opportunities for diversity and accessibility.

Applications that do not meet the minimum entry requirements will be reviewed and may be called for interview. Selection will be made, following interview, using the following criteria:

• Academic achievement
• Relevant employment experience (see RPL below)
• Evidence of commitment to a career in Quantity Surveying

English Proficiency

All applicants whose first language is not English, will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency through an IELTS score of 6.5 of higher, with a minimum score of 6 in each section.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants wishing to apply based on Recognition of Prior Learning  (RPL) must submit a portfolio of evidence in relation to formal and/or informal learning including transcripts of results, certificates and industry references. Typically, RPL applicants will hold a minimum of 8 years relevant construction industry experience, and all RPL applicants will be interviewed.

The programme content is aligned with the competencies required of a Quantity Surveyor, and comprises a number of mandatory modules in year 1; with a surveying capstone project, mandatory and elective modules in year 2.

Year 1

Semester 1

• Construction and Sustainable Technologies (Residential)
• Quantification of Building Work (Residential)
• Procurement and Tendering
• Construction Law

Semester 2

• Construction and Sustainable Technologies (Non-Residential)
• Quantification of Building Work (Non-Residential)
• Contract Practice
• Construction Economics

Year 2

Surveying Capstone Project is undertaken over both semesters in year 2.

Semester 1

• BIM for Quantity Surveying and Cost Management
• Commercial Management

Semester 2

• Sustainable Construction and Life Cycle Analysis
• Strategy and Leadership (elective) or
• Project Management (elective)

The MSc in Quantity Surveying is a part-time course delivered on a blended basis combining in-person on campus and online delivery over two years (4 semesters).

A full schedule is provided at the commencement of each academic year, with classes typically requiring attendance (either in person or online) on two evenings per week.

Lectures take place two evenings per week (usually on a Monday and Wednesday) and require up to 8 hours per week of attendance, be it in person or online, over the two evenings.

This course is delivered through a blended learning approach, combining both online and in-class sessions. While individual lecturers determine the delivery format of their modules, we ensure consistency, meaning both modules on any given night will be either fully online or fully in-class. Most classes in year 1 are currently scheduled onsite in Bolton Street, while most of the 2nd year is online. It is not possible to do this programme remotely and it is recommended that students are within commuting distance of the college. Timetabling details, including specific days, will be confirmed closer to the course start.

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change and up to date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

View Sample Timetable

Applications for this course are now closed for September 2026 intake.

For further information on the application process, please visit How To Apply.

Non-EU Students

Non-EU students, not resident in Ireland, are not eligible to apply for part time programmes that are delivered on-campus. Applications for part time courses that require on-campus attendance will not be processed and the application fee will not be refunded.

Is it possible to complete the course on a full-time basis?

Not at present. The course currently will run on a part-time basis only. However, depending on the demand the School might develop the programme so that it will be run on both a full and a part-time basis.

How often are classes?

Please see ‘Schedule’ for information on class schedule and duration.

Is it possible to complete this course remotely?

At present, the programme cannot be completed remotely. It is delivered using a blended learning approach, combining on-campus teaching with online learning activities. This is not a HyFlex programme, where students can choose to attend classes either in person or online.

Students are expected to be within reasonable commuting distance of TU Dublin's Bolton Street campus and to attend classes regularly throughout the first year of study. Attendance requirements are less frequent in the second year, but periodic on-campus attendance is still required.

Can I apply for this course if I am working in the construction industry but not in a Quantity Surveying role?

No. While applicants may be employed in the wider construction industry at the time of application, they must be working as a Quantity Surveyor or Trainee Quantity Surveyor by the commencement of the programme in September. Students are also required to remain employed in a Quantity Surveying role for the duration of both years of the programme, as the course is designed to integrate academic learning with professional practice.

I do not have a Level 8 qualification in Quantity Surveying. Can I apply for this programme?

Yes. This programme is a conversion course designed for graduates who do not already hold a qualification in Quantity Surveying. It provides an opportunity for individuals from non-cognate disciplines to gain the knowledge, skills, and qualification required to pursue a career in Quantity Surveying. However, you still must have a Level 8 qualification to apply or meet the RPL requirements as outlined previously.

I do not have a Level 8 qualification, but I have extensive experience in the construction industry – can I apply for this course?

Yes, there is a pathway based on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The RPL is a means of acknowledging and giving value to learning achieved prior to registering for a TU Dublin programme or prior to seeking a TU Dublin award. Prior learning may be an outcome of non-formal or informal learning achieved through work, voluntary activities or private study, for which you may not have a certificate to meet the minimum course requirements.

I have a Level 8 qualification in Quantity Surveying, and I would like to do an MSc in Quantity Surveying?

Applicants who already hold a Level 8 qualification in Quantity Surveying should not apply for this programme. Instead, they may wish to consider TU459 MSc in Mechanical and Electrical Quantity Surveying (M&E), which is specifically designed for qualified Quantity Surveyors who wish to specialise in M&E Quantity Surveying.

Can I work outside Ireland and do this programme?

No. You must be employed in Ireland as a QS within the Built Environment/Construction Industry and within commuting distance of TU Dublin, Bolton Street.

Is there a thesis in this course?

No, this programme does not include a traditional MSc thesis. Instead, students undertake a research based Surveying Capstone Project, which serves as the major project component of the programme in Year 2.

The Surveying Capstone Project is designed to enable students to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout the taught modules, with the practical experience developed through their employment in the construction and built environment sector. The project provides an opportunity to investigate a real-world industry challenge, demonstrate professional competence, and showcase the student's ability to apply theory to practice

Is the course accredited by the SCSI and RICS?

The course has full accreditation from the SCSI and the RICS.