Surveying & Estimating (BTEC Advance Level 3 Certificate)

Surveying and Estimating are skills which are much in demand in the construction industry. A Level 3 BTEC in Surveying & Estimating course offers the opportunity to obtain these skills and enhance your career prospects. This qualification is nationally-recognised and candidates must demonstrate a high standard of skills and knowledge.

A BTEC Surveying & Estimating course provides students with a broad understanding of the principles and skills necessary in the profession.  After obtaining this qualification you will be ideally placed to take up work as a trainee or undertake further study in this field.  Students who have successfully completed a BTEC Surveying & Estimating course have commented on how well it prepared them.

You will focus on understanding the health and safety parameters as well as understanding the tendering and estimating processes. You will also cover surveying and the role of the building surveyor.

Your tutor will be available to answer any questions and the course has been especially designed with the student at heart so it is split into small bite sized sections to perfectly slot into your busy life.

How is the course structured? 
The Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Surveying & Estimating is divided into 3 comprehensive Units:

Unit 1 - Health and Safety

• Understand the general and specific responsibilities both of employers and employees under current health, safety and welfare legislation.
• Be able to identify workplace hazards, persons who may be affected by such hazards, and the potential consequences of accidents.
• Know how to use risk assessments in appropriate formats.
• Be able to use workplace health and safety policies to recommend control measures, reduce risk and meet legal requirements.
• Understand own role in accident recording and reporting procedures.

Unit 2 - Measuring, Estimating and Tendering Processes in Construction and the Built Environment.

• Be able to record dimensions and descriptions of construction work in a methodical way and process these into final quantities for varying purposes, eg bills of quantities, variations, final account, interim payments, claims, etc.
• Understand the purpose of estimating and the common techniques used to price construction work.
• Be able to calculate all-in costs of materials, labour and plant, together with unit rates, for a variety of construction work.
• Be able to derive approximate quantities and costs to determine the approximate value of building projects at varying pre-contract development design stages and to understand the limitations on the accuracy that might be achieved.
• Understand the purpose of tendering, the common techniques used and the relevant documentation and explain the factors that can affect the level of tenders.

Unit 3 - Surveying in Construction and Civil Engineering

• Understand surveying terminology and be able to use the equipment and instruments typically used to perform linear surveys, record the measurements in a standard from and produce drawings.
• Be able to use the equipment and instruments typically used to perform levelling surveys, record the measurements in a standard form and produce drawings.
• Be able to use the equipment and instruments typically used to measure angles, record the measurements in a standard form and produce results from calculations.
• Be able to perform the setting out of small buildings.

Home Study Tutor Support

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your BTEC Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Surveying & Estimating. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact our Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

What's more, you'll have access to the online student portal, where you can interact with other students, browse our resource library and manage your account.

Course Assessments

The BTEC Surveying & Estimating course includes four assessments that you complete as part of your course work and then forward to your tutor via email or post. The certificate is achieved by successfully completing the assessments in conjunction with any other information and exercises provided within the learning materials.

Upon verification of the activities, exercises and assignments, a nationally recognised certificate will be awarded by Edexcel as confirmation that your written work has met all of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the programme.

What's Included? What do I get when I enrol?

Your course fee covers everything you will need to successfully complete the BTEC Advanced Certificate in Surveying & Estimating home study course and earn your certificate:

1. All textbooks, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:

• Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)
• Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)
• NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)
• Comprehensive Study Guide & Study Plan
• Guide to Effective Study Techniques
• How to approach exams without fear

3. An accredited award upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body Edexcel
4. One year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

To enrol in the BTEC Surveying and Estimating course, you must be over 16 and educated to at least GCSE standard D-G or hold an NVQ at level 1, or a GNVQ Foundation Certificate.  Ideally, you should have some experience of the construction industry.

Technical Surveyor

Technical surveyors (also known as surveying technicians) carry out a range of tasks to support chartered surveyors, architects and engineers. They work across all branches of surveying, including building, land, planning, quantity, general practice and minerals.