Quantity surveyors are independent, professional consultants who are responsible for the financial management of construction projects. They provide specialised financial and contractual services, as well as advice to clients in the construction industry. They act in collaboration with, among others, architects, consulting engineers and contractors to promote the interests of the building client.

Various job opportunities exist in the construction industry. The majority of quantity surveyors are employed in quantity surveying practices in the private sector. After registration with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP), quantity surveyors may become partners or directors, or they could start their own professional practices. Quantity surveyors also act as project managers and valuers, provided that they are registered with the relevant councils.

Various government departments employ quantity surveyors, who are also emplyed by the property sector, banking, insurance industry, engineering and manufacturing industries, which offer further career options. Quantity surveyors also work for construction firms or establish their own building enterprises and construction companies.

The three-year Bachelor of Science Quantity Surveying and BScHons (Quantity Surveying) programmes are accredited nationally by the SACQSP and internationally by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS has a worldwide footprint, which provides our degrees in quantity surveying with international recognition. The Department also offers master’s and doctoral degrees, which can be obtained by submitting a thesis and passing an oral examination.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

Quantity surveying is the science that delivers specialised financial and contractual services and advice to clients in the building and construction industry, as well as related industries. The three-year undergraduate degree is the first step towards registration as quantity surveyors. The ensuing one-year honours programme leads to registration as candidate professional quantity surveyors. Career opportunities, apart from those in the private, government or semi-government sectors, also exist in the property, banking, insurance, mining and manufacturing industries.

Important information for all prospective students for 2025

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. Click here for this Faculty Brochure.

The suggested second-choice programmes for Bachelor of Science Quantity Surveying are Bachelor of Science Construction Management and Bachelor of Science Real Estate.

Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS. 

Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.

Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.

Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.

Unsuccessful candidates will be notified after 30 June.

Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.

Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2025: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.

International students: Click here.

Transferring students

A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

Closing dates: Same as above.

Returning students

A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

Note:

• Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
• Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
• Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

Closing date for applications from returning students

Unless capacity allows for an extension of the closing date, applications from returning students must be submitted before the end of August via your UP Student Centre.