Quantity Surveying FAQ

Quantity Surveying – Frequently Asked Questions

This page consolidates the most common questions about studying Quantity Surveying online with learndirect – covering enrolment, cost, career outcomes, and course details in one place.

The learndirect QS pathway leads with the SEG Awards Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Ofqual refs 610/2941/5 and 610/2942/7). Both qualifications are studied 100% online across 18 months, assessed entirely by written assignments and portfolio work – no exams – and cost a total of £2,385.29 (£29.99 deposit + £130.85 per month for 18 months). An optional De Montfort University (DMU) BSc (Hons) Year 3 top-up is available at £9,535 (2025/26 UK fee), bringing the all-in cost to approximately £11,920 for a full honours degree – compared to £28,566 for the UBE part-time BSc over 4.5 years.

Use the themed sections below to jump directly to the questions most relevant to you. For deeper answers on any topic, follow the links into the dedicated pages within the Quantity Surveying faculty.

Written by the learndirect Editorial Team · Updated July 2025 · Sources: Ofqual, RICS, DMU

Studying & Enrolment

Everything you need to know before you decide to enrol – from how long the course takes to when you can actually start studying.

The combined Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying typically takes 18 months to complete, structured as approximately 9 months per level. You have a maximum access window of 24 months from enrolment, which provides extra time if you need to manage study around work or personal commitments. The qualification covers 12 units in total (6 per level), 240 credits, and 720 guided learning hours. Because there are no exams, your pace is governed by assignment submission windows rather than fixed term dates – most learners complete one or two units per month. See the course modules page for the full breakdown by unit.

Entry to the Level 4 Diploma requires A-Level standard qualifications or an equivalent Level 3 vocational qualification, plus you must be aged 18 or over. This means a standard A-level pass, a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma, or an equivalent qualification is typically sufficient. The course is not open to applicants without any Level 3 qualification, because the academic demand of Level 4 study requires that foundation. If you are unsure whether your existing qualifications meet the requirement, speak to a learndirect course adviser who can assess your background individually. The course is specifically designed for working adults making a career change – prior construction experience is an asset but is not required as a formal entry criterion.

The learndirect Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying is 100% online. There are no mandatory attendance days, no campus visits, and no in-person workshops. All study materials, assignment briefs, and tutor communication take place through the learndirect online learning portal. You access your course from any internet-connected device – most learners study in the evenings and at weekends around their existing employment. The optional De Montfort University (DMU) BSc (Hons) Year 3 top-up is a separate qualification with its own delivery format, which you would discuss directly with DMU at the time of progression.

learndirect operates rolling enrolment, which means there are no fixed September or January intake dates. Once your application is approved and your deposit of £29.99 is processed, you gain access to the Level 4 course materials immediately – typically within 24 hours. This makes the learndirect pathway particularly well-suited to career changers who want to start as soon as a decision is made, rather than waiting for the next academic intake cycle. There is no disadvantage to enrolling at any point in the year.

The standard payment plan for the combined Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma is £29.99 on enrolment as a deposit, followed by 18 monthly instalments of £130.85, giving a total of £2,385.29. There is no interest on this payment plan – the total cost is fixed at enrolment. learndirect also accepts upfront payment in full if you prefer to pay the entire course fee at the start. The monthly payment option is designed for working adults who want to manage their study investment alongside other financial commitments. Employer-funded or professional development budget payment arrangements may also be possible – speak to a course adviser for details.

Cost & Funding

The full pricing breakdown, comparisons with other providers, and information on how to fund your study – including employer and professional development options.

The total cost of the combined Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying is £2,385.29. This comprises a £29.99 deposit on enrolment, followed by 18 monthly payments of £130.85. There is no interest – it is a fixed-cost instalment plan, not a credit agreement. The fee covers access to all Level 4 and Level 5 units, tutor and assessor support throughout, and the SEG Awards qualification registration and certification. It does not include the optional DMU BSc (Hons) Year 3 top-up, which is a separate enrolment with De Montfort University at £9,535 for the 2025/26 academic year. If you progress to DMU Year 3, the all-in cost for a full BSc (Hons) via the learndirect pathway is approximately £11,920 – significantly less than the £28,566 charged by UBE for its part-time BSc over 4.5 years. See our online QS degree vs university comparison for the full breakdown.

The De Montfort University BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying Year 3 top-up is priced at £9,535 for UK students for the 2025/26 academic year, as confirmed on the DMU course page. This is a standard UK undergraduate tuition fee for one year of study. Combined with the learndirect diploma cost of £2,385.29, the full route to a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying comes to approximately £11,920. Fee levels for future academic years are subject to review by DMU – learndirect recommends confirming the current Year 3 fee directly with De Montfort University before committing to the top-up progression. Fees must be paid to DMU directly; the £130.85/month plan covers the learndirect diploma only.

No. The learndirect Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying is not eligible for Student Finance England funding. Unlike Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) studied through further education colleges, the learndirect QS diploma is funded by the learner directly – either through the monthly payment plan (£130.85 per month) or an upfront payment. Student Finance England tuition fee loans and maintenance loans are available for university degree programmes and certain designated HTQ qualifications, but they do not extend to private distance learning diplomas. If you later progress to the DMU Year 3 BSc (Hons) top-up, you may be eligible to apply for a Student Finance England tuition fee loan for that year of study – speak to DMU's student finance team to confirm eligibility and timing.

Yes, employer funding is possible and is one of the most cost-effective routes for working professionals. Many UK construction, engineering, and property employers have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or professional training budgets that can be used for courses like the learndirect Level 4+5 Diploma. At a total cost of £2,385.29 over 18 months, the diploma is well within the training budget threshold that most medium and large employers operate. learndirect can provide a formal invoice, a training agreement letter, and CPD-style documentation for employer approval purposes. Contact a learndirect course adviser if you would like support preparing a business case for your employer. Some employers in construction and cost consultancy are particularly supportive of staff undertaking QS qualifications given the reported 93% difficulty in recruiting qualified QS staff.

Career & Chartership

From the role of the diploma in your RICS pathway through to salary expectations at each career stage – what the qualification actually enables for your career.

The Level 5 Diploma alone does not qualify you to register directly for the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), because the APC requires an RICS-accredited bachelor's degree (or equivalent accredited qualification) as a prerequisite. The learndirect Level 4+5 Diplomas are Ofqual-regulated and employer-valued, but they are not themselves RICS-accredited qualifications. The route to MRICS from the diploma involves completing the optional DMU BSc (Hons) Year 3 top-up (which is RICS-accredited), then securing a QS role with an APC-supporting employer, and then completing the 24-month structured RICS APC. The total timeline from starting the diploma to achieving MRICS designation is typically 5–7 years. See our full guide to the RICS APC route for the step-by-step pathway.

The typical timeline from enrolment on the learndirect diploma to achieving MRICS chartered status is 5–7 years. The approximate breakdown is: 18 months for the Level 4+5 Diploma, approximately 12 months for the DMU BSc (Hons) Year 3 top-up, then 2–3 years of structured RICS APC experience in a relevant QS role, followed by the final APC assessment and panel interview. This compares favourably to a traditional university route, which takes 3 years for the BSc alone (without the diploma starting point). Crucially, the learndirect route allows you to begin working in QS-adjacent roles from the point you hold the Level 4 Diploma – so you may be earning a QS salary well before you achieve MRICS status. Graduate trainee QS salaries start at £25,000–£30,000 nationally and £30,000–£40,000 in London, per the Maxim Recruitment 2025/26 salary report.

UK quantity surveyor salaries increase substantially with experience and chartership. Based on the Maxim Recruitment 2025/26 UK QS Salary Report and RICS salary benchmarks: Graduate / Trainee QS earns £25,000–£30,000 nationally (£30,000–£40,000 in London); Quantity Surveyor (MRICS) earns £42,000–£58,000 nationally (£55,000–£65,000 London); Senior QS earns £56,000–£75,000 nationally (£70,000–£90,000 London); Associate or Commercial Manager earns £75,000–£100,000+ nationally. These figures reflect persistent demand – 93% of employers surveyed by Maxim report difficulty recruiting qualified QS staff. See our dedicated QS salary guide for sector and regional breakdowns.

After completing the Level 4 Diploma (approximately 9 months), the most accessible entry-level roles include Trainee Quantity Surveyor, Junior QS, and Estimator positions – particularly with contractor-side firms and SME housebuilders who value practical aptitude alongside formal qualifications. Upon completing the Level 5, Assistant QS and QS Graduate roles become accessible, particularly where the employer is aware of the Ofqual-regulated status of the qualification. Many learners in construction-adjacent roles (site management, estimating, contracts administration) find it possible to move laterally within their existing employer while studying. The National Careers Service quantity surveyor profile provides a useful overview of the typical employer landscape.

learndirect's course adviser team is experienced in supporting career changers – people transitioning from teaching, the military, trades, administration, finance, and many other backgrounds into Quantity Surveying. The pre-enrolment consultation process is designed to assess whether QS is the right fit for your skills and goals before you commit financially. Once enrolled, you benefit from named tutor and assessor support throughout the diploma, with feedback on each assignment to help you apply QS principles to real-world contexts. For broader career change guidance, see the Quantity Surveying career change guide and our learner stories page for illustrative examples of the journeys typical learners take.

Course Details & Certification

The specifics on the awarding body, how you pass, what happens if you need to resubmit, and how your certificate is verified by employers.

Yes. SEG Awards (Skills and Education Group Awards) is an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. The Level 4 Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Ofqual ref: 610/2941/5) and Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying (Ofqual ref: 610/2942/7) are both regulated qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). This means they meet the quality standards set by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation – the same regulatory body that oversees A-levels and GCSEs. SEG Awards is part of the Skills and Education Group, one of the UK's largest awarding and accreditation bodies for vocational, further, and higher education qualifications. Employers and universities can verify the qualifications directly on the Ofqual register.

Each unit within the Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma is assessed by written assignments and portfolio work. Assignments are submitted online and marked by a qualified assessor. The pass threshold is set at the standard RQF Level 4 and Level 5 competency descriptors – assessors look for evidence that you can apply QS principles, produce relevant calculations or analyses, and demonstrate understanding of the unit content. There are no graded distinctions or merits at the diploma level – outcomes are Pass or Refer (the equivalent of a resubmission request). There are no formal exams at any point in the Level 4+5 pathway. The no-exam model is one of the defining features of the learndirect QS programme, designed specifically for working adults who need to fit study around employment.

If an assignment does not meet the pass criteria, your assessor will issue a Refer – a detailed feedback document explaining what needs to be improved and resubmitted. You are entitled to resubmit each assignment to demonstrate the required standard. Resubmissions are included within the standard programme – there is no additional charge for a single resubmission on any unit. Assessor feedback is designed to be constructive and specific, giving you a clear understanding of what the assessor requires. In cases where a learner is consistently struggling, the tutor support team will schedule additional guidance. If you are concerned about your progress, the best course of action is to contact your named tutor proactively – learndirect's support model is built around early intervention rather than waiting until the 24-month access window is at risk.

SEG Awards certificates can be verified by employers or universities directly through the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, where both the Level 4 (610/2941/5) and Level 5 (610/2942/7) diplomas are listed. Additionally, SEG Awards operates a certificate verification service – employers can confirm the authenticity of a certificate by contacting SEG Awards directly via their official website. Your certificate will display the full qualification title, the Ofqual reference number, your name, and the date of achievement. For DMU progression purposes, SEG Awards provides a formal transcript alongside the certificate. If you are applying to a university or employer who is unfamiliar with SEG Awards, directing them to the Ofqual register is the most straightforward route to confirming the qualification's regulated status.

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Degree Pathway · RICS APC Route · QS Salary Guide

Quantity Surveying – Frequently Asked Questions

Studying & Enrolment

Cost & Funding

Career & Chartership

Course Details & Certification

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