SQA Advanced Certificate/Diploma Quantity Surveying

SQA Advanced Certificates and SQA Advanced Diplomas provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers.

The SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying (SCQF level 7) develops knowledge and skills in areas such as building services in large buildings, construction technology: substructure and industrial/commercial superstructure, estimating, quantitative building studies: floors and roofs/substructure and drainage and standard forms of construction contracts.

The SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying (SCQF level 8) builds on the knowledge and skills of the SQA Advanced Certificate and covers building measurement and cost studies, construction site surveying, construction technology: domestic construction, financial studies for the construction industry, mathematics for construction and quantity surveying practice.

At both levels, candidates will develop contemporary vocational skills including study, research, analysis, planning and organisational skills. They will also learn to take responsibility for their own learning and the ability to be flexible and to work co-operatively with others.

These qualifications are available through a growing number of colleges, training providers and universities around the world. Typically, an SQA Advanced Certificate takes one year to complete and an SQA Advanced Diploma takes two years.

This SQA Advanced Certificate/Diploma will enable learners to achieve appropriate professional body recognition in particular, but not exclusively, from the Chartered Institute of Builders.

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Why deliver this qualification

SQA Advanced Certificates and SQA Advanced Diplomas have been developed by SQA in partnership with colleges, universities and industry - so employers recognise that they provide sound evidence of ability. This qualification was developed in partnership with Chartered Institute of Builders.

The unit-based structure supports flexible delivery. A unit is typically 40 hours of timetabled learning.

There is a wide choice of optional Units which will enable centres to offer courses tailored to meet local needs.

These qualification provides progression routes to further study (see Progression).

Who does this qualification suit

The SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying is suitable for a wide range of learners including:

  • school leavers
  • learners progressing from a lower level award in Quantity Surveying or a closely related discipline
  • adult returners to education learners in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects

The SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying is suitable for a wide range of learners including:

  • school leavers
  • learners progressing from an SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying or SQA Advanced Diploma in Built environment or a closely related discipline
  • adult returners to education
  • learners in employment who wish to enhance their career prospects

Access

As with all SQA qualifications, entry is at the discretion of the centre

Different combinations of relevant National Qualifications, vocational qualifications and equivalent qualifications from other awarding bodies may also be acceptable.

Progression

The SQA Advanced Certificate and SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying can provide advanced entry to degree-level study. For further information please refer to the SQA university agreements.

Learners who achieve an SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying can progress to the SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying.

SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas can provide progression to degree-level study. For example, the SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying allows direct entry into the second year of most degree programmes, and the SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying allows direct entry to most third year programmes.

SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas also provide the knowledge and understanding required for related Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For example:

SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying supports the learning within SVQ 3 and SVQ 4 Construction: Technical Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks

SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying support learning in the SVQ 4 Construction: Technical Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks.

Offer this qualification

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority require to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

How to assess

Ongoing course assessment will apply. Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for the unit.

Assessment/e-assessment support packs are available for this qualification.

Qualification structure

SQA Advanced Certificate in Quantity Surveying

Group Award code: GN0L 47 (96 SCQF credit points)

SQA Advanced Diploma in Quantity Surveying

Group Award code: GM8N 48 (240 SCQF credit points)

For information on the structure of this qualification, please refer to the group award specification.

Group award specification

Unit Specifications

Construction Graded Units: reduction of evidence requirements

Optional assessment guidance

This guidance is optional. You can use this guidance or deliver and assess as outlined in the group award specification.

Optional assessment guidance (221 KB)

See also the general HNVQ optional assessment guidance: Information and guidance for centres.