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Building A Career Path In The Built Environment

It’s an exciting time in the world of the built environment. Despite the global pandemic, it’s clear that with the trend of continued global economic growth, we will increasingly see more construction over the long-term, whether it be buildings, roads, bridges, or other infrastructure. At the same time, new methods, materials and technologies are providing opportunities to address important challenges such as sustainability, international development, and urbanisation head on. To meet the current and future demands, the sector is in need of more trained and qualified built environment specialists.

A distinguished reputation for excellence

Established as one of the first in its field almost 50 years ago, the School of Construction Management and Engineering (CME) at the University of Reading in the UK remains at the forefront of the discipline. Together with the School of Architecture, the School is a constituent of the University’s School of the Built Environment (SBE) and maintains a proud and distinguished reputation as a centre for academic excellence in teaching and research. The school is one of the top-ranking institutions in the UK and is ranked 3rd for Building in the latest The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2021 and 5th in the Complete University Guide, 2022.

The school is also recognised as a main contributor to industry talent and future leaders. Alumni from CME are well-represented in leading firms across the globe such as AECOM, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, Enka Construction, Kajima Corporation, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, MTR Corporation Ltd, Skanska and SOHO China. Further details about the School of CME can be found at the following link https://www.reading.ac.uk/cme/

Two campus experiences

Students who study with the University of Reading can prepare themselves for an exciting career in the built environment and can take advantage of the opportunity to do so across both our campuses here in Malaysia and in the UK. The state-of-the-art campus in Malaysia was established in 2015. Located in EduCity Iskandar, the campus provides students with excellent facilities for learning including a spacious Learning Resource Centre, classrooms equipped with the latest audio-visual technology, fast Wi-Fi, and a full suite of digital tools to support online learning. More details about the School of the Built Environment at the Malaysia campus can be found at reading.edu.my/be

Qualifying as a surveyor

We generally advise students to consider qualifying as a surveyor as the starting point to a career in the built environment. In Malaysia, qualifying as a surveyor signifies one’s professional standing and the right to use the ‘Sr’ title. The most popular route is via quantity surveying, and students can study the University of Reading BSc Quantity Surveying (QS) either at the University’s campus in Malaysia or the UK.

The programme in Malaysia follows the same curriculum and academic quality standards, and students are awarded the same University of Reading degree upon graduation. As on the UK campus, students benefit from a dedicated Building Information Modelling (BIM) lounge which provides them with access to BIM software and cutting-edge technology such as virtual reality (VR). It should also be noted that students have the flexible option of starting their studies at the Malaysia campus and then transferring to the UK campus in Year 2 or 3.

The BSc QS programme in Malaysia is accredited and recognised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM) and the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS). PAQS accreditation includes recognition from over 10 further professional bodies covering countries such as Australia, China, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and New Zealand.

Master’s Degree in the UK

Students who successfully complete their undergraduate degree have plenty of options to pursue their Master’s degree at the University’s campus in the UK. One of the key benefits to students of studying a Master’s degree is the additional specialist knowledge they will acquire, which will undoubtedly help them stand out in the job market. A number of professionally accredited Master’s degree are on offer at the UK campus including:

• MSc Construction Management
• MSc Digital Design and Construction
• MSc Design and Management of Sustainable Built Environments
• MSc Renewable Energy: Technology and Sustainability
• MSc Project Management

In most cases, a Master’s degree can be completed in one-year on a full-time basis. More details of the Master’s degrees on offer can be found at https://www.reading.ac.uk/cme/masters/masters-courses

Modules are taught by experts in their fields with specialisms in a range of research areas. In the latest Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey of Construction Management and Engineering master’s students at Reading, 89% were satisfied with the quality of their course and 97% agreed that staff are enthusiastic about what they are teaching. In addition, students will like the fact that the School in the UK is very diverse – the School has welcomed students from over 60 countries in the last five years, including many from Malaysia, and employs staff from over 15 countries.

The choice of Master’s degrees depends on one’s area of professional interest. With the increasing adoption of digital technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction sector, the MSc Digital Design and Construction is an excellent choice for students who have just completed their undergraduate degree in quantity surveying. In Malaysia, there is a dire shortage of professionals with BIM skills and graduates with digital skills are especially sought after in the job market.

Graduate employability has always been a strong feature of studying with the School at the University of Reading. 94% of graduate leavers are in work or further study within 15 months of the end of their course: of those working full time, 94% are in graduate-level roles (latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2018/19; Postgraduate (Taught) responders from Construction Management and Engineering).

UK Campus Experience

The University of Reading is an amazing place to live and study. The university’s main Whiteknights campus is set on 130 hectares of beautiful parkland and has won the Green Flag award ten times in a row, making it one of the UK’s best green spaces. The campus has everything a student could need, including sports facilities, eateries, a supermarket, and on-campus accommodation. As well as a newly refurbished library, there is an award-winning Students’ Union with over 150 clubs, societies, and volunteering opportunities. A virtual tour of the UK campus is available at www.reading.ac.uk/virtual-experience

The university is a short bus ride away from Reading town centre which has ample shops, restaurants, and amenities. Reading town is also conveniently located, being only a 25-minute train ride from London.

Admissions

Students with STPM, A-level, UEC or equivalent qualifications can apply for direct entry to the BSc QS programme. The fee for Malaysian students is RM 37,600 per annum. SPM, IGCSE and equivalent holders can first enrol onto the 12-month International Foundation Programme (IFP) where, upon meeting all the requirements, they have the choice to study the QS degree either at the campus in Malaysia or Reading UK. Our High Achievers Scholarship is valued at up to RM33,840 (subject to T&Cs).

Normally, a good undergraduate degree is required for admissions to a Master’s degree although those with other qualifications and significant work experience are also encouraged to apply. The programme fee for international students is £20,600 (equivalent to RM117,000). International students can apply for a range of scholarships which are awarded based on previous academic achievement and scholarship information can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/scholarships. Students who studied their undergraduate degree at the University will normally be eligible for an alumni discount of £1,500. For enquiries, email my.enquiry@reading.edu.my.