Apply To Quantity Survey Courses
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Table of Contents
1. What Is Quantity Survey?
Quantity surveyors estimate and control all costs (material, labour, machinery, etc) for large construction projects. They make sure that structures meet legal and quality standards. Quantity surveyors are involved at every stage of a project.
Some examples of things they manage:
- Tendering process and contract negotiations
- Prepare standard documentations like
- Rate Analysis
- Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
- Bar Bending Schedules (BBS)
- Negotiate the best prices for materials
- Manage subcontractor payments
- Monitoring all construction activities
- Materials reconciliation monthly
- Maintain daily progress report
Why It Matters To The World?
- Any construction or property development project needs to be executed within budget to ensure the profitability of the project. Property development is also typically a cash heavy business and therefore developers have to ensure they do not run into any cash crunch before the project is completed.
- Experienced Quantity Surveyors also ensure that the materials purchased are what they paid for and reflect the quality standards required. Otherwise, customers may end up with a bad product.
Here’s a video that highlights more consideration points on whether a Quantity Survey Course is for you:
2. Where To Study Quantity Survey Courses In Malaysia?
Here are our recommendations of top universities to study Quantity Survey courses in Malaysia.
| University | Course |
| 1. Heriot-Watt Malaysia | BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying |
| 2. University Reading Malaysia | BSc Quantity Surveying |
| 3. Taylor’s University | Bachelor Of Quantity Surveying (Hons) |
| 4. SEGI University & Colleges | BSc (Hons.) Quantity Surveying |
| 5. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) |
| 6. Swinburne University Malaysia | Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) Diploma of Quantity Surveying |
| 7. TARUMT | Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours) Diploma in Quantity Surveying |
| 8. Mahsa University | Diploma in Quantity Surveying |
3. Quantity Survey Pathways & Entry Requirements
There are 2 pathways one can consider when studying a business course.
Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Quantity Survey Degree
One pathway towards a Quantity Survey Degree is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including Mathematics to enter Pre-U or Foundation.
A Pre-University course or Foundation typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Quantity Survey.
A Quantity Survey Degree will take 3 to 4 years to complete depending on the offering university.
Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:
| Qualifications | General Requirements |
| A-Level | 3D |
| AUSMAT/SACE | ATAR 65 |
| CIMP | 65% |
| STPM | 3C |
| UEC | 5B |
| Foundation | CGPA 2.5 |
Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities. Generally, it is ideal that your pre-university course also include taking a subject in Mathematics with the minimum results met.
In total, this pathway generally takes 4 to 5 years to complete.
Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Quantity Survey Degree
Studying a Diploma in Quantity Survey course is an alternative pathway towards a degree qualification.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits including Mathematics to enter a Diploma in Quantity Survey and will typically take 2.5 years to complete.
If you already have a Diploma qualification, you only will be entering the 2nd year of the degree course which gives you another 2 to 3 more years to complete the Degree in Quantity Survey.
You are recommended to have a minimum of CGPA 2.5 for your Diploma qualification.
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying a Quantity Survey Course at different universities and different locations.
4. Accreditation For Quantity Survey In Malaysia
How To Become A Qualified Quantity Surveyor?
Firstly, ensure that your course is accredited by the Board of Quantity Surveying Malaysia (BQSM). Some universities also receive international recognition from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK.
Upon completion of your degree, you can register with BQSM to undergo their Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) for registration as a Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS).
There are 2 levels of registration with BQSM:
- Tier 1 – Professional Quantity Surveyor (PQS)
- Tier 2 – Consultant Quantity Surveyor (CQS)
PQS – You will need to gain 2 years of working experience under the supervision of a PQS and pass a professional interview by the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) to be conferred the surveyor ‘Sr’ title.
CQS – PQS with relevant years of experience with Consultant Quantity Surveying Practice (CQSP) or a public agency are eligible to take the Tier-2 assessment, which includes writing tests and a professional interview.
5. What You Learn In A Quantity Survey Course
Here are the essential subjects in a Quantity Survey Course at most universities, though they may vary slightly from one to another.
- Applied BIM
- Building Environment Systems
- Building Pathology
- Building Services Technology
- Claims Management and Dispute Resolution
- Construction Information Management
- Construction Science
- Construction Site Engineering
- Construction Statutory Law
- Construction Technology
- Cost and Value Management
- Cost Modelling and Measurement
- Design Cost Planning and Control
- Design for Construction
- Economics for Construction and Engineering
- eConstruction
- Innovation in Construction Practice
- Introduction to Commercial Law
- Planning Procedures and Practice
- Principles of Property Valuation
- Procurement and Contracts
- Quantity Surveying Practice
- Safety Management and Site Establishment
- Surveying and GIS
6. Why Should I Study Quantity Survey?
If you love real estate, you love numbers, you’re a control freak. You’ve come to the right course. Here are more reasons:
- You Learn Many Aspects Of A Construction Project – It is not just from the perspective of cost control, but you will be involved in negotiation situations, understanding legal contracts and nurturing relationships with vendors and authorities.
- Be A Part Of Big Projects – Joining reputable and global development companies may open up opportunities for you to travel and be a part of mega projects around the world.
- Understanding The Economics Of Construction Opens New Doors – Once you are experienced in running a profitable construction project, you many other opportunities in consulting or finance or even start your own property development project.
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7. RIASEC Compatibility To A Quantity Survey Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
Top 3 traits you should have for a Quantity Survey Course:
REALISTIC
- Quantity surveyors often work in practical, hands-on environments where they deal with tangible projects and materials. You have to be comfortable getting your hands dirty metaphorically and literally.
INVESTIGATIVE
- The Investigative trait is vital for Quantity Surveyors as it encompasses analytical skills and critical thinking involving complex data related to costs, project specifications and risk assessment. Qualitative judgment also needs to be made, especially when projects often have tight deadlines and their unique challenges.
CONVENTIONAL
- A conventional trait is characterised by an affinity for structured tasks and a preference for working within established systems. Quantity surveyors must manage contracts, budgets, and compliance with legal standards, requiring meticulous attention to detail and organisational skills.
8. Career Opportunities For Quantity Survey
Although most of the skills you learn from a Quantity Survey Course are best applied in the construction and property development industry, there are other possible career options:
| Areas of Opportunity | Types of Roles |
| Traditional Quantity Surveying Roles | Quantity Surveyor, Cost Estimator/Cost Engineer, Contracts Manager, Commercial Manager |
| Construction and Project Management | Project Manager, Construction Manager, Site Manager |
| Specialised Consultancy Roles | Claims Consultant, Risk Manager, Procurement Manager |
| Real Estate and Property Sector | Property Developer, Valuation Surveyor, Facilities Manager |
| Finance and Legal | Financial Analyst (Construction Sector), Construction Law Consultant |
| Government and Regulatory Roles | Building Control Surveyor, Urban Planner |
| Academia and Research | Lecturer/Professor in QS, QS Researcher |
| Entrepreneurship | Consultancy Services, Construction Business Owner |
Recommended Course Guides
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If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guides that will provide more guidance on the subject matter. Share with your friends!
We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
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