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Becoming a surveyor in the post-pandemic era

Written by: RICS Recruit
Published on: 29 Jun 2022

Man on construction site

COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the way people work. While commuting had previously been the norm for many office-based roles, organisations have been forced to adopt flexible arrangements and a work-from-home culture.

Attitudes and values are therefore shifting. For instance, there is now greater demand for flexible workspaces and more technologically integrated ways of working. Both individuals and organisations are prioritising factors such as health, well-being, and technology when leasing property.

This shift affects all kinds of surveyor, both in the way they perform their roles and in the knowledge they require to make sound professional judgements. But this is also what makes surveying an exciting sector.

Graduate paths into surveying
There are several ways to become a surveyor. Whether you have experience or not, there is a pathway for you, and a variety of roles to choose from.

You can become a surveyor with or without a degree. If you take the former path, for instance, you can choose from more than 300 courses that UK universities offer, covering topics such as land, property and construction, and qualify in the specialism that interests you. These courses are accredited by RICS www.ricscourses.org

No matter where you want to study or what your career ambitions are, you can find a course that suits you.  It may be that you already have a degree in a non related subject to surveying and simply wish to take an RICS accredited Masters degree. The RICS Recruit Graduate Hub provides information for those entering surveying with a degree, as well as listing jobs specifically for graduates.

Getting into surveying without a degree
It is also possible to become a surveyor with no degree by undertaking an apprenticeship. There are many organisations in the sector that offer apprenticeship opportunities, allowing trainees to earn a salary as they study.

Apprenticeships boost your knowledge and provide first-hand work experience. You can learn skills on the job and start to build your professional network, while gaining an industry-recognised qualification. They are a very effective way to develop professional skills and knowledge and the Level 6 degree apprenticeship has the potential to lead straight into becoming chartered.

You can identify the right apprenticeship for you on the UK government’s dedicated website, where you’ll be able to search and apply for an apprenticeship in England by keyword or location. Alternatively, you can search the roles available on RICS Recruit and approach employers directly.

Where can I find out more about becoming a surveyor?
Surveying offers a range of exciting professions. There are roles working with land, managing property or investing in it, construction and the built environment. The vision and decisions of surveyors’ develop, maintain and influence the world around us.

Whether it’s commercial real estate or environmental sustainability that interest you, there are routes into surveying that will allow you to become an expert in your field of choice.

Find out more about the surveying profession here.