QUANTITY SURVEYING
QUANTITY SURVEYING: I am thinking about Quantity Surveying as a career. Can you tell me more about it and what I have to study at school and later to get into that career.
Answer
Read on for a detailed answer which includes information of what else you can do if you not have the marks to go to university.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Quantity surveyors are highly qualified members of a profession that play an important role in building, construction and related industries, including mining. They give advice on costs and contractual matters and prepare contract documents. They work with architects and consulting engineers to ensure that their client’s interests are safeguarded. As professional advisors they give advice to property developers and property investors. They also assist with the valuation of property for insurance purposes.
The quantity surveyor deals mainly with cost (particularly cost to the client) and is a member of a professional team which may include architects, engineers, and electrical and mechanical engineers.
Quantity surveyors may spend a great deal of time on building sites, checking on things being delivered and being constructed. Their offices are sometimes on site, although in most instances their offices are in buildings similar to those that might house architects or civil engineers..
TYPICAL TASKS
preparation of estimates, feasibility studies and budgets for building projects
preparation of tender documentation for competitive tendering
negotiation of contract
advice on contractual arrangements and tender procedures
evaluation of progress on building projects
cost control during the design and construction phases settlement of the final costs of the project with the contractor and subcontractors.
ARE YOU
skilled in speech and writing
accurate
trustworthy and reliable;
good at maths and abstract reasoning
practical
interested in architecture, finances, the building industry and legal aspects of contracts, finance and buildin
TYPES OF EMPLOYERS
Government departments
Provincial administrations
Municipalities
Private firms
Self-employment, as a consultant
Industry Associations
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS for Tertiary Training
Please note: Educational institutions may change or add to their requirements and it is a good idea to check the admission information on websites regularly.
Admission requirements
Degree: National Senior Certificate Diploma: National Senior Certificate
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
School Subjects:
– Core Mathematics
– Physical Science (Physical Science is not always required).
Marks required vary from 50-70%, depending on the university.
Recommended: Physical Science (if not required), Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Information Technology, Civil Technology.
National Benchmark Test
Most universities also require you to do National Benchmark tests which have 3 purposes:
To assess entry-level academic literacy and mathematics skills.
To assess the relationship between entry-level skills and school-level exit results.
To provide additional information to institutions requiring this for admission and placement of entry-level students.
There are 3 tests: (The test you do depends on the faculty you applying to)
Academics Test,
Quantitative Literacy Test and
Mathematics Test.
Interview
Certain universities conduct interviews as part of their selection process
WHERE TO STUDY: DEGREES
Bachelor of Science: Quantity Surveying
Those who have completed their degrees must do 2 or 3 years practical work under the supervision of a qualified quantity surveyor.
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
http://www.wits.ac.za
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL
NELSON MANDELA METROPLOITAN UNIVERSITY
http://www.nmmu.ac.za
UNVERSITY OF FREE STATE
http://www.ufs.ac.za/
Click here for see the prospectus
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
http://www.uct.ac.za
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA
http://www.up.ac.za
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND
http://www.wits.ac.za
WHERE TO STUDY: DIPLOMAS
The National Diploma in Building (3 years) is offered at the following universities of technology: They lead on to a Bachelor of Technology: Quantity Surveying and then in some cases Master of Technology degrees.
Graduates from both universities and universities of technology can advance to full registration as professional quantity surveyors.
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (CPUT)
http://www.cput.ac.za/
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (TUT)
http://www.tut.ac.za/
DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (DUT)
http://www.dut.ac.za
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
If your marks or subjects do not meet the requirements for a degree or diploma, there are other routes, which will take longer overall, but will get you where you want to be.
FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING COLLEGE (FET)
If you feel sure early on that this is the career for you (or if your marks and subjects are not up to the required level) it may be an idea to look at Further Education Training Colleges where you can do a vocational course from Grade 10 or 11 and obtain a:
National Certificate (Vocational) Civil Engineering & Building Construction (3 years) or
National Certificate (Vocational) Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice (3 years)
Building & Civil Engineering: Foundational Course: (2 years)
The advantage is that you are ready for employment, as long as you pass. Then you need:
A pass which entitles you to enter a DEGREE program will allow you to apply to a University, or
A pass which entitles you to enter a DIPLOMA program University of Technology.
Click here for is a link to all FET colleges
