Design & planning

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a graduate training scheme

University

You'll usually need to do an accredited degree approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Relevant subjects include:

• surveying
• business studies
• economics
• estate management
• land and property development

If your degree is in an unrelated subject or is not accredited by RICS, you could take an accredited postgraduate qualification in surveying.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could take a college course and enter the profession as a surveying technician. After completing your course, you would do further professional qualifications or a degree apprenticeship.

Courses include:

• construction
• construction and the built environment
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship, for example:

• Surveying Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

If you follow the surveying technician route, you would need to do further training to qualify as a planning and development surveyor.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

If you have a higher national diploma or foundation degree in surveying or construction, you may be able to work as a surveying technician, and take further training on the job to qualify as a surveyor.

Other routes

You may be able to do a postgraduate qualification through a graduate trainee scheme with a company or through distance learning with the University College of Estate Management.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a planning and development surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

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With experience, you could be promoted to project or senior management roles, go into partnership in private practice, or become self-employed as a consultant. You might also specialise in areas like:economic regeneration and redevelopment; urban design and planning policy; project finance and risk management; environmental assessment and sustainable development

You could work towards chartered status, which demonstrates your professional knowledge and expertise.