Although there are many different graduate careers within the building and planning industry, a lot of the work is carried out by surveyors and they often supervise other professionals.

Types of surveyors

Chartered surveyors cover the whole spectrum of surveying, from urban to rural settings. Technical surveyors work as hands-on specialists alongside chartered surveyors offering support, advice and specialist knowledge.

See also:

• Building surveyor job description
• General practice surveyor job description
• Quantity surveyor job description

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the leading global body for chartered and technical surveyors. To become a chartered surveyor or technical surveyor you need to graduate from a RICS-accredited degree or diploma, or you can take a conversion course.

After obtaining your degree you will need to complete the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence or the Assessment of Technical Competence if you want to become a technical surveyor.

This encompasses two years of structured, practical training with an employer, ending with a RICS professional assessment.

Alternatively, you can take an HNC/HND in any of the surveying areas or an approved S/NVQ 4 and then complete the relevant RICS Assessment. If you have completed a degree / diploma course that is not approved by RICS, you can take a conversion course to upgrade your academic qualification.