Discover the best UK universities for Surveying in 2026. Find courses with top teaching, industry links, and strong career prospects.
Best Universities for Surveying: Unifresher Student Rankings 2026
The top universities earn Gold, Silver, and Bronze badges based on student satisfaction, graduate employability, teaching quality, and value for money. For full details, see our Ranking Methodology below.
| Rank | University | Academic | Social |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gold | University of Reading | 91 | 76 |
| 2 Silver | University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) | 89 | 74 |
| 3 Bronze | University of Glasgow | 88 | 72 |
| 4 | University of Portsmouth | 87 | 70 |
| 5 | Coventry University | 85 | 75 |
| 6 | University of Salford | 84 | 73 |
| 7 | Birmingham City University | 82 | 71 |
| 8 | Liverpool John Moores University | 81 | 70 |
| 9 | Leeds Beckett University | 80 | 69 |
| 10 | University of Lincoln | 79 | 68 |
1. University of Reading Gold
2. University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) Silver
3. University of Glasgow Bronze
4. University of Portsmouth
5. Coventry University
6. University of Salford
7. Birmingham City University
8. Liverpool John Moores University
9. Leeds Beckett University
10. University of Lincoln
How We Ranked These Universities
Our Surveying rankings combine trusted academic data with student lifestyle factors to reflect what really matters to students.
- Academic (40%): Graduate employability, teaching quality, research output, entry standards
- Social & Lifestyle (60%): Cost of living, nightlife, cost of a pint and Uber, crime rate, student satisfaction
- Data Sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS, WhatUni, and Unifresher’s student surveys
- Weighting: Scores out of 100; ties broken by academic score.
Top-Ranked Surveying Universities in the UK
Surveying is a career-focused degree that combines technical expertise, environmental understanding, and business acumen. Our 2025 ranking highlights the best universities for Surveying in the UK, chosen for their industry links, accreditation, and graduate success. Whether you’re interested in quantity surveying, land surveying, or building surveying, these universities provide the ideal mix of classroom learning and real-world experience.
University of Reading
Reading is a leading university for surveying and built environment studies, renowned for its RICS-accredited courses and close ties to the property and construction sectors. Students gain practical experience through industry placements, site visits, and collaborative projects with major surveying firms, ensuring excellent graduate employability.
Coventry University
Coventry offers professionally accredited surveying degrees with a strong emphasis on employability. Courses cover building surveying, quantity surveying, and construction management, supported by excellent teaching and state-of-the-art facilities. The university’s partnerships with industry bodies ensure students graduate with practical and technical skills in demand across the sector.
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth delivers hands-on, real-world learning through fieldwork, design studios, and professional simulations. Students explore sustainable building design, property valuation, and land development, all underpinned by strong RICS recognition and close links to employers in construction and real estate.
University of Salford
Salford’s School of Science, Engineering and Environment is known for innovative teaching and research in the built environment. Students gain practical surveying skills through projects with local authorities and construction partners, while enjoying high levels of student satisfaction and strong career support.
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol)
UWE Bristol provides a supportive and forward-thinking learning environment. Its surveying courses integrate technology and sustainability, teaching students to use digital surveying tools, BIM, and data analysis for modern construction management. Graduates benefit from excellent research facilities and strong employer connections.
Career Prospects After a Surveying Degree
Graduates from these top UK universities enter careers in construction, property management, land surveying, and consultancy. Typical roles include chartered surveyor, project manager, quantity surveyor, and valuation analyst. Related courses include Civil Engineering and Real Estate.
Entry Requirements for Surveying Degrees
Typical entry requirements range from 96 to 120 UCAS points, with A-levels (or equivalent) in Maths, Geography, Design & Technology, or Business Studies. RICS-accredited degrees are highly recommended for those seeking professional chartership after graduation.
Most Affordable Cities to Study Surveying in the UK
Coventry, Portsmouth, and Salford offer affordable living costs, thriving student communities, and easy access to industry placements—ideal for surveying students seeking value and opportunity.
Best Universities for Nightlife and Student Life
Coventry and Portsmouth stand out for their vibrant nightlife, student societies, and active built environment communities, giving students a well-rounded experience outside of study.
Student Wellbeing and Academic Support
Universities such as Reading and UWE Bristol provide comprehensive wellbeing services, academic mentoring, and RICS mentoring programmes to help students build confidence and professional networks throughout their studies.
Considering Alternatives to Surveying?
If you’re exploring similar degrees, consider Civil Engineering, Real Estate, or Construction Management — each offers strong career potential in the built environment and infrastructure sectors.
Summary: Which Surveying University Is Right for You?
When choosing where to study Surveying, look for RICS accreditation, practical learning opportunities, industry partnerships, and city affordability. Reading leads for academic excellence and professional reputation, Coventry and Portsmouth excel in employability and real-world training, while Salford and UWE Bristol offer innovation and strong student support. A degree in Surveying sets you up for a dynamic and future-proof career in the built environment.
FAQs on the Best UK Universities for Surveying
Top UK universities for Surveying include Nottingham Trent University, University of Reading, and Glasgow Caledonian University, known for strong practical training and industry links.
Nottingham Trent University often leads due to its excellent accreditation, hands-on learning, and graduate employability.
Yes, Surveying degrees offer strong career paths in construction, property, and environmental management with growing demand for qualified professionals.
Mathematics and Geography are often required or recommended. Check university course pages for specific entry requirements.
Graduates work as quantity surveyors, building surveyors, land surveyors, and property managers in various sectors.
Yes, particularly in construction and real estate. The UK market values qualified surveyors to support sustainable development and infrastructure projects.
Starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £30,000, with experienced surveyors earning significantly more.
Technical modules like measurement, contract law, and building regulations can be challenging but essential for professional practice.
Graduates often join construction firms, property consultancies, government agencies, and infrastructure projects.
Yes, it is highly regarded, especially when accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or similar bodies.
Unifresher Team
Led by our editors and co-founder, we apply student-first principles and editorial rigour to shape each ranking.
Student Writers
Over 20 student writers and contributors from across UK universities help define what really matters to students.
Expert Panel
We bring in specialists from sustainability founders to employability coaches to help shape categories with depth and credibility.
Our judging combines real student input with expert guidance. Here’s how:
- Public nominations: Through our homepage form, with responses from our student users.
- Social polls: Shared on our Instagram and TikTok channels (20,000+ followers).
- Student panel: 20+ student contributors guide how each category reflects real priorities.
- Editorial team: Our founder and senior editors bring experience in youth-focused media and ranking design.
- Expert advisors: Each award features insight from a relevant industry or academic figure.
This ensures each ranking is transparent, meaningful, and powered by those it’s meant to serve: students.
✅ Why You Can Trust This Ranking
- Data-backed: Official sources: HESA, NSS, REF, UCAS
- Student-led: Over 1,000 UK students surveyed
- Balanced scoring: 40% academic + 60% student life
- Independently verified: No sponsored placements, ever
- Reviewed by editors: All results checked for fairness & accuracy
- Updated for 2025: Last checked