National Diploma in Building Quantity Surveying
This course develops your ability to measure and cost building work and support contractual and financial control of projects.
About the course
This course develops your ability to measure and cost building work and support contractual and financial control of projects. Learning combines technical study with practical tasks relevant to Southern African organisations and communities.
What you'll learn
Interpret construction information for measurement and costing.
Prepare quantities, estimates and related project records.
Assess cost changes and communicate the basis of a valuation.
Requirements
Prepare evidence of relevant certificate study or comparable prior learning for the provider's admission review. Refresh the subject knowledge, calculations and practical skills needed for diploma work. Plan access to the supervised workplace, laboratory or project resources required by the course.
Course content
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
3 learning stages 15 subjects
1Specialist subjects9 subjects
2Practical integration4 subjects
3Foundations and shared practice2 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The programme combines supporting studies, specialist subjects and practical integration. Each subject below includes its learning focus, outcomes, practice and assessment.
15 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Specialist subjects
- Construction Project Feasibility Study. Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
- Building Services. Explore the coordination of materials, work methods and resources on a construction task. Practice centres on a construction method plan and inspection record, drawing on drawings, specifications and work requirements and materials, storage and site preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
- Preparation Of Bills Of Quantities. Explore the measurement and appraisal of work or property using explicit assumptions. Practice centres on a measured schedule, estimate or valuation report, drawing on purpose, scope and measurement information and units, descriptions and quantity take-off. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement consistency, evidence quality and arithmetic.
- Soil And Structures. Explore the behaviour of ground materials and their effects on engineering work. Practice centres on a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data, drawing on soil and rock identification and site information and sampling records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
- Facilities And Infrastructure Management. Explore the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
- Construction Cost Control. Explore the use of cost information to plan work and assess operating performance. Practice centres on a costing workbook and budget-variance report, drawing on cost classification and cost behaviour and materials, labour and overhead allocation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check cost allocation, assumptions and the implications of the proposed decision.
- Quantity Surveying Research Methods. Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
- Construction Contract Administration. Explore the acquisition of goods and services through clear requirements and accountable decisions. Practice centres on a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase, drawing on needs analysis and specifications and supplier information and sourcing options. You will record findings, justify decisions and check fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
- Quantity Surveying Project Management. Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Practical integration
- Tendering For Construction Projects. Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving building services, preparation of bills of quantities. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
- Quantity Surveying Project. Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving building services, preparation of bills of quantities. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
- On The Job Education And Training. Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect building services, preparation of bills of quantities with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
- Skills Proficiency. Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate building services, preparation of bills of quantities within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Foundations and shared practice
- National Studies. Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development. Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment and practical learning
- Suggested learning checks: analyse applied problems and justify your decisions using relevant evidence.
- Suggested practical assessment: complete a supervised project or portfolio with a clear method, results and evaluation.
- Present and defend your recommendations, then revise the work in response to assessor feedback.
Practical application
Prepare a measured building-cost portfolio with drawings, quantities, estimates and a reasoned cost-control report.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Specialist subjects
Construction Project Feasibility Study
Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Construction Project Feasibility Study, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Building Services
Explore the coordination of materials, work methods and resources on a construction task. Practice centres on a construction method plan and inspection record, drawing on drawings, specifications and work requirements and materials, storage and site preparation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
Learning outcomes
- Interpret the information needed to prepare a construction task.
- Plan a suitable sequence with resources and quality checks.
- Evaluate completed work using drawings and inspection evidence.
Main topics
- Drawings, specifications and work requirements
- Materials, storage and site preparation
- Work methods and construction sequence
- Labour, plant and resource coordination
- Inspection, measurement and quality records
- Site responsibilities, handover and defects
Practical task
For Building Services, prepare a construction method plan and inspection record in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of buildability, resource assumptions and conformity with the brief.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Preparation Of Bills Of Quantities
Explore the measurement and appraisal of work or property using explicit assumptions. Practice centres on a measured schedule, estimate or valuation report, drawing on purpose, scope and measurement information and units, descriptions and quantity take-off. You will record findings, justify decisions and check measurement consistency, evidence quality and arithmetic.
Learning outcomes
- Extract quantities or property information from reliable evidence.
- Apply a stated pricing or valuation method consistently.
- Present an appraisal with assumptions and supporting calculations.
Main topics
- Purpose, scope and measurement information
- Units, descriptions and quantity take-off
- Rates, market evidence and cost build-up
- Schedules, estimates and comparison
- Adjustments, uncertainty and sensitivity
- Supporting records and appraisal reporting
Practical task
For Preparation Of Bills Of Quantities, prepare a measured schedule, estimate or valuation report in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of measurement consistency, evidence quality and arithmetic.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Soil And Structures
Explore the behaviour of ground materials and their effects on engineering work. Practice centres on a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data, drawing on soil and rock identification and site information and sampling records. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
Learning outcomes
- Describe ground conditions using observations and test records.
- Interpret a defined soil or rock behaviour problem.
- Recommend a justified next investigation or construction consideration.
Main topics
- Soil and rock identification
- Site information and sampling records
- Moisture, density and material behaviour
- Stress, settlement and shear concepts
- Ground conditions and construction choices
- Test interpretation and reporting uncertainty
Practical task
For Soil And Structures, prepare a ground-condition report using supplied site and test data in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the separation of observations, assumptions and conclusions.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Facilities And Infrastructure Management
Explore the response of materials and structural elements to loads. Practice centres on a structural calculation and diagram portfolio, drawing on loads, supports and equilibrium and stress, strain and material response. You will record findings, justify decisions and check load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Learning outcomes
- Represent a defined load case with a clear structural model.
- Calculate a relevant force, stress or deformation.
- Evaluate the result against the stated assumptions and constraints.
Main topics
- Loads, supports and equilibrium
- Stress, strain and material response
- Axial force, shear and bending
- Deflection and serviceability concepts
- Member behaviour and connection principles
- Calculation checks and technical presentation
Practical task
For Facilities And Infrastructure Management, prepare a structural calculation and diagram portfolio in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of load paths, units, model assumptions and independent calculation checks.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Construction Cost Control
Explore the use of cost information to plan work and assess operating performance. Practice centres on a costing workbook and budget-variance report, drawing on cost classification and cost behaviour and materials, labour and overhead allocation. You will record findings, justify decisions and check cost allocation, assumptions and the implications of the proposed decision.
Learning outcomes
- Calculate a product or service cost using stated assumptions.
- Prepare a budget linked to planned activity.
- Explain a variance and recommend a supported response.
Main topics
- Cost classification and cost behaviour
- Materials, labour and overhead allocation
- Job, service and process costing
- Budget preparation and cash implications
- Variance analysis and corrective decisions
- Pricing, contribution and relevant-cost choices
Practical task
For Construction Cost Control, prepare a costing workbook and budget-variance report in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of cost allocation, assumptions and the implications of the proposed decision.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Quantity Surveying Research Methods
Explore the design of a focused investigation using traceable evidence. Practice centres on a research proposal and small investigation, drawing on problem definition and research questions and finding and evaluating literature. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Formulate a question suited to the available evidence and resources.
- Collect and analyse information using a documented method.
- Present conclusions supported by findings and stated limitations.
Main topics
- Problem definition and research questions
- Finding and evaluating literature
- Sampling and data-collection choices
- Consent, confidentiality and research integrity
- Organising and analysing evidence
- Interpreting results and reporting limitations
Practical task
For Quantity Surveying Research Methods, prepare a research proposal and small investigation in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the conclusions follow from the evidence.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Construction Contract Administration
Explore the acquisition of goods and services through clear requirements and accountable decisions. Practice centres on a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase, drawing on needs analysis and specifications and supplier information and sourcing options. You will record findings, justify decisions and check fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
Learning outcomes
- Prepare requirements and evaluation criteria for a purchase.
- Compare offers using a documented method.
- Maintain an acquisition record from approval to acceptance.
Main topics
- Needs analysis and specifications
- Supplier information and sourcing options
- Quotation or tender evaluation
- Negotiation and contract responsibilities
- Delivery, acceptance and supplier performance
- Procurement records, conflicts and accountability
Practical task
For Construction Contract Administration, prepare a procurement dossier for a fictional purchase in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of fair comparison, specification compliance and an auditable decision trail.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Quantity Surveying Project Management
Explore the planning and control of a defined project. Practice centres on a project plan with a progress and completion report, drawing on problem, objectives and scope and activities, dependencies and schedules. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Learning outcomes
- Translate a project brief into a workable plan.
- Track progress, expenditure and changes against the plan.
- Evaluate delivery and identify practical improvements.
Main topics
- Problem, objectives and scope
- Activities, dependencies and schedules
- Resources, budgets and procurement needs
- Stakeholders and communication
- Risk, quality and change control
- Progress measures, completion and lessons
Practical task
For Quantity Surveying Project Management, prepare a project plan with a progress and completion report in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the consistency of scope, resources, timing and evidence of completion.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Practical integration
Tendering For Construction Projects
Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving building services, preparation of bills of quantities. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Define a feasible project with clear success criteria.
- Develop and evaluate a response using technical evidence.
- Present the completed project and defend its conclusions.
Main topics
- Project problem, purpose and scope
- Review of relevant technical evidence
- Plan, resources and milestones
- Implementation or structured investigation
- Testing, interpretation and limitations
- Final report, demonstration and reflection
Practical task
Prepare a measured building-cost portfolio with drawings, quantities, estimates and a reasoned cost-control report.
Assessment
An approved brief, progress evidence, the final output and an individual presentation are assessed against the stated project criteria.
Quantity Surveying Project
Bring together the programme's technical learning in a focused project. Choose a manageable problem involving building services, preparation of bills of quantities. Define the required output, gather evidence and develop a justified response. Present the completed work with its method, results and limitations, then explain the improvements made following feedback.
Learning outcomes
- Define a feasible project with clear success criteria.
- Develop and evaluate a response using technical evidence.
- Present the completed project and defend its conclusions.
Main topics
- Project problem, purpose and scope
- Review of relevant technical evidence
- Plan, resources and milestones
- Implementation or structured investigation
- Testing, interpretation and limitations
- Final report, demonstration and reflection
Practical task
Prepare a measured building-cost portfolio with drawings, quantities, estimates and a reasoned cost-control report.
Assessment
An approved brief, progress evidence, the final output and an individual presentation are assessed against the stated project criteria.
On The Job Education And Training
Apply your learning through agreed duties in a supervised workplace. You will connect building services, preparation of bills of quantities with routine service or production responsibilities. Keep evidence of preparation, work completed and feedback. Review your progress with the supervisor and explain how your decisions affect quality, safety and other people.
Learning outcomes
- Complete agreed duties within the supervised role.
- Maintain a traceable record of work and feedback.
- Evaluate progress and identify specific development needs.
Main topics
- Workplace induction and agreed duties
- Applying technical knowledge to real work
- Work records and evidence of contribution
- Team communication and professional conduct
- Supervisor feedback and skills development
- Reflective review and future learning priorities
Practical task
Complete supervised duties linked to National Diploma in Building Quantity Surveying. Keep a logbook, samples of permitted work and supervisor feedback.
Assessment
Assessment uses the agreed work plan, supervisor observation, work evidence and an individual reflective discussion.
Skills Proficiency
Demonstrate the practical skills developed across the programme. Tasks integrate building services, preparation of bills of quantities within an agreed work brief. You will prepare resources, carry out the authorised task and check the result. Your evidence should show consistent performance, accurate records and an explanation of decisions within your learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Plan and complete an integrated task to agreed criteria.
- Demonstrate safe and consistent practical performance.
- Explain the result and correct identified weaknesses.
Main topics
- Interpreting an integrated work brief
- Preparing tools, information and resources
- Demonstrating the required technical skills
- Checking output against agreed criteria
- Responding to faults and assessor feedback
- Presenting evidence and explaining decisions
Practical task
Prepare a measured building-cost portfolio with drawings, quantities, estimates and a reasoned cost-control report.
Assessment
Direct observation, the completed output, a quality-check record and oral questions provide the evidence for this subject.
Foundations and shared practice
National Studies
Explore the relationship between citizenship, public institutions and working life. Practice centres on a local public-service case review, drawing on constitutional principles and public institutions and citizenship and civic responsibilities. You will record findings, justify decisions and check the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Learning outcomes
- Explain the role of public institutions in a community issue.
- Compare perspectives using identifiable evidence.
- Prepare a reasoned civic or workplace contribution.
Main topics
- Constitutional principles and public institutions
- Citizenship and civic responsibilities
- Zimbabwean history and national development
- Cultural diversity and community participation
- Work, enterprise and public services
- Evidence, public debate and responsible participation
Practical task
For National Studies, prepare a local public-service case review in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of the distinction between fact, opinion and unsupported claims.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development
Explore the development of a viable small enterprise from a defined customer need. Practice centres on a small-enterprise plan and test record, drawing on customer problems and enterprise opportunities and products, services and value propositions. You will record findings, justify decisions and check whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Learning outcomes
- Define a customer need and a practical enterprise response.
- Estimate resources, costs and cash requirements.
- Revise a business proposal using evidence from a small market test.
Main topics
- Customer problems and enterprise opportunities
- Products, services and value propositions
- Startup resources and operating costs
- Pricing, cash flow and basic records
- Market testing and customer feedback
- Business risks, responsibilities and growth choices
Practical task
For Entrepreneurial Skills Development, prepare a small-enterprise plan and test record in a building quantity surveying setting. Use supplied records, a realistic simulation or authorised supervised practice. Include your working and checks of whether the financial assumptions and customer evidence support the proposal.
Assessment
Applied questions, a worked case and an individual explanation supported by calculations, diagrams or records. Compare alternatives and justify the selected response using evidence.
Instructors
