Quantity surveyors work out exactly how much a building costs to construct and are in charge of finances.
Salaries depend on location, employer and level of responsibility. Salaries and career options also improve with chartered status.
Quantity surveyors usually hold a relevant degree in Quantity Surveying, or follow a work-based route doing a Surveying Apprenticeships that can include:
You can follow this with a degree accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). This improves your chances of getting a job after your studies.
Other useful first degree subjects include geography, maths, economics, urban and land studies, building or construction, civil or structural engineering. It’s possible to do an accredited masters degree and some construction companies and construction agencies may allow you to do your post-graduate qualification on the job. If you have a non-relevant degree you must take an RICS-recognised post-graduate conversion course.
If you have an HND or HNC you can register as a technical surveyor and top up your qualification following a RICS-recognised distance-learning course or part-time/day-release degree.
If you have vocational experience and qualifications you can do the RICS Associate qualification. This recognises your experience and work-based assessment evidence is logged online. You need to demonstrate certain technical competencies relevant to your specialism, in addition to soft skills.
Entry without a degree or HND is sometimes possible by working your way up through the industry. Some employers may be willing to fund a part-time degree or top-up courses, while others prefer graduates.
There are many routes to becoming chartered. Whether you’re a graduate, have technical or vocational qualifications or have simply built up years of experience, you can choose the path that best suits you. To qualify for chartered status, you must complete the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) while you are working and have at least two years' work experience. To apply for CIOB chartered status, you will need an accredited honours degree and two years' relevant work experience.
Career trends and forecasts
4210
additional staff needed
According to the latest Construction Skills Network research, the UK construction industry will need an additional 4210 surveyors (which includes quantity surveyors) every year between 2017 - 2021. The highest demand will be in the South East followed by West Midlands, Wales, North East and North West.
Check out the latest Quantity Surveyor vacancies:
As these are external websites, the number of job vacancies related to your preferred job role may vary.
Check daily to see new opportunities as they are posted!
For information on the Quantity Surveyor role in Scotland please visit the Skills Development Scotland website My World of Work.
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