Setting Out & Surveying Course UK | CITB & ProQual Training
Learn practical setting out and site surveying skills using real construction equipment. Gain the experience needed to start or progress your career as a Site Engineer.
5-Day Course Overview and Delivery Options
This practical course covers levelling, robotic Total Stations, GNSS and setting-out exercises based on real construction workflows. Learners train with professional surveying equipment, including Leica robotic Total Stations, with further equipment details available on our surveying equipment training page.
- Scheduled open course: five days at Northampton Casuals Rugby Football Club.
- In-house company training: available for employers and teams throughout the UK and Ireland, using equipment supplied by SSK or your company equipment where arranged.
- Trainer: Matthew Hughes delivers Site Skills Knowhow setting out and surveying training. Meet Matthew and learn about the training approach.
- Progression: the practical course can support progression towards ProQual Engineering Surveying qualifications.
View Northampton dates, availability and booking. Employers can contact SSK about in-house training.
What Is a Setting Out & Surveying Course?
Setting out and surveying are essential skills used on construction sites to ensure buildings, roads, and infrastructure are built in the correct position and to the correct dimensions.
A setting out & surveying course teaches you how to measure, mark, and control positions on-site using professional equipment such as levels and total stations. These skills are critical for Site Engineers, Groundworkers, and anyone involved in construction layout and accuracy.
On this course, you will learn how to:
Transfer designs from drawings onto real ground positions
Use levelling equipment to establish heights and benchmarks
Set out lines, points, and grids accurately
Work with total stations and robotic total stations
Apply surveying techniques used daily on active construction sites
Unlike theory-based training, this course focuses on hands-on practical experience, giving you the confidence to use surveying equipment in real-world situations.
Setting out plays a key role in construction accuracy and compliance. You can learn more about industry standards on the CITB website.
Unlike theory-based training, this course focuses on hands-on practical experience, giving you the confidence to use surveying equipment in real-world situations.
Setting out plays a key role in construction accuracy and compliance. You can learn more about industry standards on the CITB website.
Why Setting Out & Surveying Skills Are In Demand
The construction industry in the UK continues to face a shortage of skilled site engineers and surveying professionals. Accurate setting out is critical to ensuring projects are completed correctly, on time, and within budget.
As a result, employers are actively looking for individuals who can demonstrate practical experience using surveying equipment and working on-site.
Learning setting out and surveying skills can open up opportunities in roles such as:
- Trainee Site Engineer
- Setting Out Engineer
- Engineering Surveyor
- Construction Site Technician
With the right training and experience, these roles offer strong career progression and long-term job security within the construction industry.
What You Will Learn
This course is designed to give you practical, job-ready skills used on real construction sites.
👉 See the equipment you’ll train with on our equipment training page.
Who Is This Course For?
Train Using Real Site Equipment
A key part of this course is learning how to use the same equipment you’ll encounter on real construction sites.
You won’t just learn theory — you’ll gain practical experience using industry-standard surveying tools, including total stations and robotic total stations, which are widely used across the UK construction industry.
During the course, you will:
This hands-on approach ensures you leave the course with job-ready skills, not just classroom knowledge.
👉 Learn more about modern surveying equipment on the Leica Geosystems website.
If you’d like to see the full range of equipment used during training, visit our
equipment we train on page.QUALIFICATION / ASSESSMENT ONLY
Already have practical experience?
Candidates who already have the required skills — including people who previously completed the 5-Day Setting Out & Surveying Course — can enrol separately for the ProQual Level 3 Qualification Only for £995 + VAT.
Choose Engineering Surveying OR Utility Mapping & Surveying. The 5-day practical training course is not included, and full payment is required on enrolment.
Already Experienced? Qualification Only – £995 + VATFurther qualification-only options: Level 5 — £1,495 + VAT; ProQual Level 6 Construction Management — £1,595 + VAT.
Choose Level 3 or Level 5 Choose Level 6 Construction Management
CITB & ProQual Qualifications
This course supports progression into recognised qualifications such as ProQual Engineering Surveying Diplomas and aligns with UK construction training standards set by CITB.
The training includes CITB Assured courses, ensuring recognised industry standards and quality training. These practical skills can also support progression into formal qualifications such as Level 3 and Level 5 Engineering Surveying.
Completing this course can help you:
For those looking to take the next step, you can learn more about recognised qualifications on our
ProQual Engineering Surveying qualifications page.
Whether you are starting from scratch or upgrading your existing skills, this course provides a strong foundation for long-term career development.
Worried about the cost? You may be eligible for funding or financial support through CITB or employer schemes.
👉 Learn more on our construction training funding and grants page.
Why Choose Site Skills Knowhow?
✔ Trusted by construction professionals across the UK
✔ Hands-on training using real equipment
✔ Clear pathway into site engineering careers
✔ Hands-on training using real equipment
✔ Clear pathway into site engineering careers