The Master of Surveying (MSurv) is a one- or two-year postgraduate programme that has, as its prerequisite for entry, an undergraduate degree in surveying. Applicants with a strong academic record, possibly evidenced by an Honours degree, may be permitted to complete the degree in one year by thesis only. Other applicants will generally be required to undertake a year of coursework followed by a thesis year, although the course work requirements may be reduced in certain cases.
It is expected that the thesis incorporate a substantial research project that either contributes to existing fields of research, or begins to develop a new area.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Surveying (MSurv)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).
Every applicant must either
be a graduate, or
have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).
In considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant's performance in the programme.
Structure of the Programme
The programme of study shall consist of
appropriate papers, normally as prescribed for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Surveying or as separately prescribed, and taken in the first year of the programme, and
a thesis embodying the results of supervised research.
A candidate whose qualification for entry to the programme is the degree of Bachelor of Surveying with Honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Surveying may achieve the degree in a minimum of one year of further study, normally by completing a thesis.
A candidate may be exempted from some of the required papers as prescribed in regulation 2(a)(i) on the basis of previous study.
A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in the thesis, secure the approval of the Dean of Surveying for the topic, the supervisor(s), and the proposed course of investigation.
A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
For the thesis,the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.
Duration of the Programme
A candidate achieving the degree by papers and a thesis shall normally follow a programme for the equivalent of not less than two years of full-time study and not more than three years of full-time study, and a candidate achieving the degree by thesis alone shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than two years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).
Withdrawal from the Programme
Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing the work required by regulation 2(a)(i) the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may recommend award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Science or determine which papers shall be credited towards the diploma.
Examination of the Thesis
The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Convener of Examiners.
Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options specified in clause (d) below.
The examiners may recommend that a thesis:
be accepted without requiring amendments;
be accepted subject to minor corrections being made at the discretion and to the satisfaction of the Convener of Examiners;
does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
Amendments 5(d)(ii) and revisions 5(d)(iii) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Convener of Examiners.
A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either Pass or Fail (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Convener of Examiners should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: The programme of advanced study shall be arranged in consultation with the Dean of Surveying. Its objectives are to advance knowledge and experience in a given field of specialisation in Surveying or in an allied field, and to create an awareness of advanced work which is being carried out in the field.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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