About the SEG Awards Level 4 & 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying
SEG Awards is the Ofqual-regulated awarding body for the learndirect Quantity Surveying diplomas. The Level 4 Diploma (Ofqual ref: 610/2941/5) and Level 5 Diploma (Ofqual ref: 610/2942/7) are each worth 120 credits and 360 guided learning hours (GLH). Together they equal the first two years of a BSc (Hons) degree.
SEG Awards is regulated by Ofqual – both diplomas appear on the Ofqual Register with the same oversight standards as Pearson or City & Guilds. All learners receive a printed, verifiable certificate carrying the SEG Awards name, Ofqual logo, and qualification reference number.
On completing both diplomas (240 credits), learners are eligible to progress to a one-year BSc (Hons) QS top-up at a RICS-accredited university – DMU at £9,535 for 2025/26. Combined diploma + top-up: ~£11,920, saving ~£16,646 versus UBE's part-time BSc. See the degree comparison page.
Level 4 and Level 5 Diploma – Key Facts
Official qualification facts as registered on the Ofqual RQF. Verify using the reference numbers on the Ofqual Register.
| Field | Level 4 Diploma | Level 5 Diploma |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification Title | SEG Awards Level 4 Diploma in Quantity Surveying | SEG Awards Level 5 Diploma in Quantity Surveying |
| Awarding Body | SEG Awards – Ofqual-approved awarding organisation | |
| Ofqual Reference | 610/2941/5 | 610/2942/7 |
| RQF Level | Level 4 (equivalent to Year 1 of a BSc) | Level 5 (equivalent to Year 2 of a BSc) |
| Credits / GLH | 120 credits / 360 GLH | 120 credits / 360 GLH |
| Units | 6 units: Construction Technology, Construction Practice, Maths, Measurement, Construction Economics, Construction Law | 6 units: Project Management, Procurement, Advanced Measurement (NRM2), Contract Administration, Cost Planning, QS Practice |
| Average Completion | 9–12 months (part-time, online) | 9–12 months additional (18 months total) |
| Maximum Access | 24 months from enrolment (covers both L4 and L5) | |
| Mode / Assessment | 100% online, self-paced. Written assignments and portfolio – no exams | |
| Cost (both diplomas) | £2,385.29 total – £29.99 deposit + £130.85/month × 18 months. Both diplomas included in a single enrolment. | |
| Progression | BSc (Hons) QS top-up year at a RICS-accredited partner university – e.g. De Montfort University at £9,535 (2025/26 UK fee) | |
| Regulated By | Ofqual – verify on the Ofqual Register | |
About SEG Awards and What You Receive
SEG Awards is one of over 170 Ofqual-regulated awarding organisations. What makes it the right choice – and what credentials do you receive on completing each diploma?
- Ofqual-regulated: Both diplomas appear on the Ofqual Register and carry the Ofqual logo. Ofqual sets the same minimum standards applied to Pearson, City & Guilds, and all other regulated bodies.
- Employer-aligned: The QS diploma specifications reference the RICS QS and Construction Pathway competency framework, so employers can map diploma content directly to RICS APC competencies.
- External moderation: All assessment is subject to internal verification and external moderation by SEG Awards, ensuring nationally consistent marking standards.
- Confirmed progression: DMU has confirmed eligibility for its BSc (Hons) QS top-up at £9,535 (2025/26) via this diploma pathway.
- Level 4 (ref 610/2941/5): A printed SEG Awards diploma certificate bearing your name, the Ofqual registration number, and the SEG Awards seal. A standalone nationally-recognised qualification.
- Level 5 (ref 610/2942/7): A second diploma certificate. Together, both represent 240 credits at RQF Levels 4 and 5 – equivalent to Years 1 and 2 of a bachelor’s degree.
- Degree progression: Both certificates give eligibility for Year 3 BSc entry, including DMU at £9,535 (2025/26).
- RICS APC eligibility: With a RICS-accredited BSc top-up, you are eligible for the RICS APC Structured Training route.
- Verification: Both certificates are verifiable on the Ofqual Register (refs 610/2941/5 / 610/2942/7) and via SEG Awards' direct verification service.
Quality Assurance – Regulation and Verification
Four quality-assurance layers underpin the SEG Awards diplomas – from Ofqual oversight at the national level to individual assignment moderation by SEG Awards.
1. Ofqual Regulation
Ofqual is the independent regulator of qualifications in England. SEG Awards holds approved awarding body status, meaning all qualifications must meet Ofqual's General Conditions of Recognition – covering qualification design, assessment, marking, appeals, and certificate issuance. Both diplomas (refs 610/2941/5 / 610/2942/7) are on the Ofqual Register and verifiable by any employer.
2. External Moderation by SEG Awards
SEG Awards appoints independent External Verifiers who sample learner work to check that assessments are marked to the correct standard, with equivalent marking for all learners regardless of assessor. This mirrors the external moderation used by Pearson and City & Guilds.
3. Employer-Aligned Curriculum
The QS Diploma curriculum references RICS QS and Construction Pathway occupational standards. Key modules – Advanced Measurement (NRM2), Cost Planning, and Contract Administration (JCT/NEC4) – map to RICS APC technical competency levels, reviewed periodically for alignment with current practice.
4. RICS Partnership and Degree Progression
The diplomas are not RICS-accredited (accreditation applies at degree level), but the progression to a RICS-accredited BSc is confirmed through learndirect's university partnerships. DMU's BSc (Hons) QS top-up is RICS-accredited – verified on the RICS accreditation list. The diploma → BSc pathway delivers the same RICS APC eligibility as a conventional 3-year degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Enrol on an Ofqual-Regulated QS Diploma
240 credits. 100% online. No exams. £130.85/month. A clear path to BSc (Hons) and MRICS.
Degree Pathway – Course & Fees · Course Modules – All 12 Units · RICS APC Route to MRICS