Which are the Best Universities in Malaysia to Study Quantity Surveying?
Quantity Surveyors (QS) work with construction professionals including Architects, Engineers and Builders to prepare cost estimates and plans, audit projects, and manage costs and contracts for construction projects. They keep a close eye on project finances and contractual relationships. In addition, they are responsible for calculating and managing the costs relating to construction projects, from creating initial estimates to finalising the complete budget. The work of a QS may vary from working in the office or at the construction site or meeting with construction personnel. The course is excellent for students who are good in Maths and enjoy a job that’s mobile and let’s you meet with people. There is a great deal of variety, which can be quite interesting for someone who does not like a routine.
A QS is an expert in not only one but four distinct areas!
- Construction expert – skilled in construction engineering and technology
- Cost expert – skilled in cost engineering
- Contract expert – skilled in contract management
- Project expert – skilled in project management
The first step to entering this career in Quantity Surveying after secondary school is to go for a Foundation programme at a top private university and transition into the undergraduate programme. The degree programme should be accredited by the necessary QS professional bodies. In Malaysia, the professional body is the Board Of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) while the accreditation body for the course is the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
3 Top Malaysian Universities for Quantity Surveying Undergraduate Programme
Quantity Surveyors undertake tax depreciation, insurance estimation, mediation and arbitration. They work closely with architects, financiers, engineers, contractors, suppliers, project owners, property developers, accountants, insurance underwriters, solicitors and courts, and with all levels of government.
Choosing a private university for your Quantity Surveying course in Malaysia is important as it will help to shape your mind, character and help you to develop the necessary skills for a successful career. There are many reasons and motivations for attending university in Malaysia, so ask yourself some serious questions to identify what you want from your university experience. Every university and it’s Quantity Surveying course in Malaysia is different and each student wants different things to fit their education and career goals.
The best university in Malaysia for your Quantity Surveying programme will focus on quality, have award winners for the particular courses, years of experience offering the particular course, highly experienced lecturers, a good study environment and excellent facilities. Choosing a university that is best in your field of study may provide you with access to more specialised opportunities, including custom-built facilities, field-specific academic opportunities and employment opportunities with prestigious organisations in your industry.
Having said that, these 3 universities are recognised, accredited and reputable in offering the Quantity Surveying programme in Malaysia that will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue this career successfully.
Accreditation and Recognition
The Quantity Surveying programmes should meet the rigorous standards of these professional accreditation bodies:
- Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
- Board Of Architects Malaysia Or Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
The Board of Architects Malaysia or Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) is the Malaysian statutory authority responsible for the enforcement of the Architects Act. The Board has many roles and functions, one of them is to accredit architectural programmes offered in Malaysia. - Board Of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM)
Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) is a statutory body, governing the quantity surveying profession and promoting the growth of the quantity surveying profession through regulation and continuous professional development. - The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the world’s leading professional body for qualifications and standards in property, land and construction. RICS memberships offer a global passport to professional opportunities to more than 140 countries. - The Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)
The Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS) is an international association of national organisations representing quantity surveyors in the Asia and Western Pacific region. One of the main roles of PAQS is to promote best practices of quantity surveying in the region.
What are the Main Areas that you will Learn in a Quantity Surveying Degree Programme?
For the successful completion of construction projects, controlling cost aspects and mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory and legal compliance are vital tasks related to Quantity Surveying.
- Cost Estimation
- What It Involves
Cost estimation is probably one of the more important roles of a Quantity Surveyor. Cost estimation is an estimate or prediction process to arrive at an approximate cost for the project. It involves calculating the total costs related with a construction project, from materials to labour to overheads. It considers the cost, experiences, time constraints, risks, schedules, resources and other elements which are related to the cost estimation. By using software, it is advantageous for quantity surveyor to be more efficient in cost estimation from estimating. Software helps quantity surveyor to speed up the estimating work. Quantity Surveyors use specialized software, such as CostX, Binalink, Buildsoft and Glodon, to create accurate estimates that form the basis of budgets and bids. - Why is it Important?
Cost estimation is crucial because it directly impacts the profitability of a project. Accurate estimates help in securing project bids, budgeting accurately, and ensuring financial viability. This can be especially vital in competitive markets where margins are thin.
- What It Involves
- Contract Management
- What It Involves
Quantity Surveyors negotiate and involves overseeing the contracts between different parties involved in a construction project. This includes the creation of contracts, as well as ongoing oversight to ensure all parties are fulfilling their contractual obligations. It includes negotiating, implementing, and ensuring compliance with agreements between the client, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. - Why is it Important?
Contract management ensures that projects proceed smoothly without legal hiccups. Properly managed contracts protect the interests of all parties and provide frameworks for resolving disputes. They will handle the documentation, terms, conditions, and changes within these contracts to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations, manage risks, and resolve disputes that may arise during the construction process.
- What It Involves
- Risk Assessment
- What It Involves
Risk Assessment is the process of identifying, analyzing, and responding to the potential threats and opportunities that may negatively impact a project. These could range from financial risks such as cost overruns to operational risks like delays in material delivery. QS can use risk management to provide realistic estimates, contingency plans, risk mitigation strategies, and risk monitoring and reporting. - Why is it Important?
By properly assessing risks ahead of time, Quantity Surveyors help mitigate issues that could derail a project. This proactive approach is key in saving both time and money.
- What It Involves
- Value Engineering
- What It Involves
Value engineering is an important process in the field of quantity surveying, that involves finding the most cost-effective and efficient methods to achieve the design goals of a project without compromising on quality. Value engineering is a systematic approach that aims to improve the value of a project by examining its functions and finding alternative solutions that optimize costs without compromising quality. The primary goal is to enhance value while meeting project objectives and client requirements. Value engineering involves a collaborative effort among project stakeholders, including quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, and contractors. - Why is it Important?
This role is integral for maximizing value for money. Through value engineering, Quantity Surveyors contribute to making projects more financially viable, often leading to significant cost savings.
- What It Involves
- Dispute Resolution
- What It Involves
Disputes have been a common phenomenon in the Malaysian construction industry and with the surge in numbers of construction projects, the numbers of disputes are expected to increase. To overcome this, the Malaysian construction industry has introduced various initiatives is to encourage the application of more effective ways of preventing and resolving construction disputes but results have been variable. Should conflicts arise during the course of a project, Quantity Surveyors are often called upon to mediate and resolve these disputes, whether they are financial disagreements, contract misunderstandings, or quality-related issues. - Why is it Important?
Dispute resolution skills are crucial for preventing delays and additional costs. A successful Quantity Surveyor will have the negotiation skills and legal know-how to resolve disputes efficiently, often avoiding the need for litigation.
