The Colombo School of Construction Technology (CSCT) has initiated a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Quantity Surveying in partnership with the School of Built Environment, at the University of Salford, (UoS) UK.
This is the first time a private educational institute is able to offer a full 4 year honours degree programme (3 years taught + 1 year industrial training) in Quantity Surveying in Sri Lanka. The only other institution able to offer a similar programme is the University of Moratuwa. This is an accomplishment for CSCT and significant opportunity for students seeking an alternative to travelling overseas for higher education.
Awarded by the University of Salford, which is a partner University of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the programme offered by CSCT has a sound academic standing. This programme has been designed with a 1 year industrial placement at the end (unlike many other programmes that either do not have an in-built industrial placement or where it is placed in the middle of the programme) to facilitate a smooth transition in to the professional work force.
The teaching staff at CSCT are of the highest caliber, and on completion students will be given assistance in obtaining work placements in Sri Lanka, the Middle East and beyond. As a result, millions of rupees in tuition fees for overseas study and also for living expenses would not have to be spent without any assurances of post degree employment. The University of Salford is world renown for its excellence in teaching and research in the field of Built Environment. Its Centre for Disaster Resilience is one of only five academic institutions recognized by the United Nations.
The programme design is such that students from a variety of academic backgrounds may gain entrance. Entry is possible on completion of Sri Lankan or London A’ levels or for those having completed an Edexcel HND or equivalent. A fast track placement option is also available for students who have completed an Edexcel HND in a Construction Industry related field, and for those who have achieved a merit for all H2 level subjects, where entry is possible at the 2nd year of the programme. For those having completed other qualifications such as National Diploma in Technology (NDT), National Certificate in Technology (NCT), and other similar qualifications, entry options are available on a case by case basis.
Students wanting an ‘overseas’ experience have the option of completing part of their studies at Salford or attending their graduation in the UK with other Salford Graduants.
The collaboration between UoS and CSCT is the culmination of nearly a year of negotiations between the two institutions. Since 2009, CSCT has been conducting Edexcel HNDs in Quantity Surveying and Construction Economics and Construction Management. This is the only institution dedicated to catering to students seeking an education in the field of the Built Environment.
The decision to pursue higher education is an important one and when choosing an education provider the decision should not simply be based on cost or duration but also on quality and employability. The UoS-CSCT collaboration provides a sound honours degree that is recognised worldwide particularly by employees seeking QS degree holders.
