QS LIT v Sligo IT

BehindTheScenes

Hi all,

I'm posting here because I know there are a few Quantity Surveyors about. I'm heading to college to study Quantity Surveying in September and am deciding where to go. I have a direct choice between LIT and Sligo IT as I have been accepted to both. Would anyone be able to tell me which of these courses would be considered best? Also what qs course in Ireland is held in the highest esteem?

Thanks.

kkelliher

I have no experience of the Two IT's mentioned but DIT or the degree in Limerick would probably be the two most regarded with waterford IT not far behind.

BehindTheScenes

kkelliher wrote: »

I have no experience of the Two IT's mentioned but DIT or the degree in Limerick would probably be the two most regarded with Waterford IT not far behind.

Thanks, I had an idea that this was the case and needed it confirmed. I think the big advantage of LIT is the work placement component of the course. Here's hoping there's some work about in three years.;)

IrishLad2012

BehindTheScenes wrote: »

Thanks, I had an idea that this was the case and needed it confirmed. I think the big advantage of LIT is the work placement component of the course. Here's hoping there's some work about in three years.;)

Will you not only have an ordinary degree in 3 years.With an honours degree,you should have no problem getting work abroad,don't know if they will be much going on here.:rolleyes:

BehindTheScenes

IrishLad2012 wrote: »

Will you not only have an ordinary degree in 3 years.With an honours degree,you should have no problem getting work abroad,don't know if they will be much going on here.:rolleyes:

Hey Irishlad, sorry for the late reply only saw your post today. It is an honours degree and year 3 of the course is work experience. That's what I was referring to when saying about work, sorry for not making myself clear.

I'd rather stay in Ireland but at the same time going abroad would be a bit of fun and I would pick up experience. I'm going in as a mature student and would like to get into a role where I could become RICS qualified as quickly as possible. So a job for two to three years would be needed.

Calvin001

The LIT course is much better. As well as the year out in the workplace (one of my mates went ot South Africa on year out), there appears to be a better education of measurement and "proper" QS work. The DIT course seems to deal with the contract / legal stuff but you wont need that until you are 4 or 5 years experienced.

kkelliher

Calvin001 wrote: »

The DIT course seems to deal with the contract / legal stuff but you wont need that until you are 4 or 5 years experienced.

Having worked in the industry for about 15 years I would have to disagree.

In the present market when you get a job you need to be able to excel as far as possible and the contractual side of the business is as an important aspect of a project for any company as measurement is. If any issue arises you have to have your paperwork in order and understand your obligations.

The day of getting a job in a firm and been mentored by senior surveyors is gone for most practices as they cannot afford to carry staff given the reduction in workloads. They will therefore expect and want graduates to be able to develop and shown that they can cover all aspects of the business as early as possible. You do not need to wait 4/5 years to grow your career when you can show your broad knowledge in year 1/2

The best college course is the one that suits your needs best in terms of course content, college location and costs. Wheras you want to give yourslf a good headstart,you cant possible know what the market will be like in 3/4 years time therefore the aulification is a place to start and grow from there

BehindTheScenes

Calvin001 wrote: »

The LIT course is much better. As well as the year out in the workplace (one of my mates went ot South Africa on year out), there appears to be a better education of measurement and "proper" QS work. The DIT course seems to deal with the contract / legal stuff but you wont need that until you are 4 or 5 years experienced.

kkelliher wrote: »

Having worked in the industry for about 15 years I would have to disagree.

In the present market when you get a job you need to be able to excel as far as possible and the contractual side of the business is as an important aspect of a project for any company as measurement is. If any issue arises you have to have your paperwork in order and understand your obligations.

The day of getting a job in a firm and been mentored by senior surveyors is gone for most practices as they cannot afford to carry staff given the reduction in workloads. They will therefore expect and want graduates to be able to develop and shown that they can cover all aspects of the business as early as possible. You do not need to wait 4/5 years to grow your career when you can show your broad knowledge in year 1/2

I do agree with you Calvin001 in an international context, at the same time I agree with KKelliher in the Irish context. I was talking to a director at Gleeds in London and he was very focused on getting the basics right, i.e. Knowledge of construction and measurement. He complained to no end about people not knowing these. His advice to me was that I could always learn things such as contracts and finance as I progressed within the profession. This though is a company that has a good graduate scheme so they have the luxury of teaching thing such as contracts and finance later during training.

Well I have chosen Limerick as I feel I'm more suited the course and the environment of a smaller IT. Thanks gentlemen for aiding me in my decision process.