Chartered Surveying is the collective name for a group of careers with certain skills in common. In fact, chartered surveyors offer knowledge, skills and advice all around the world, on a surprisingly wide range of property issues. Not just on valuing people’s homes, but on major construction projects, farm property management, surveying the sea bed and even valuing 20th century collectables. Plus much, much more…
Going green environmentalism, recycling, caring for parks and forests, mapping land, managing farms and even looking after rivers and the sea
Money matters valuing and managing all kinds of property such as buildings, antiques, ideas, machinery
Homes and businesses selling, renting, investing, developing and business managing peoples’ homes, factories, offices and other business property
Building the future creating cities, roads, stadiums, homes, airports and all sorts of constructions
Without a degree?
A graduate without a property related degree? Not a problem…
If you've already completed a first degree and are now considering how to use the skills you've developed for a practical purpose and a rewarding career, then don't just think law or accountancy. If you are interested in land, property or the built environment, attracted by the idea of gaining professional qualifications and motivated by working in business, then a career in land, property and construction may well meet all your job requirements… and hopefully exceed them.
Get in touch with RICS…
Whatever your first degree, the profession is keen to hear from you. Whether you've studied maths, business studies, geography or any other degree, the profession is interested in attracting graduates without a property or surveying-related first degree because it values your skills, knowledge and alternative perspective. If you're a good communicator and possess excellent business acumen, then you'll be highly sought after by the surveying profession.
Courses on offer
Converting to a career in land, property and construction doesn't mean going back to do another full undergraduate degree. It simply means completing an intensive postgraduate conversion course. The course must comprise 1,800 study hours such as a Masters course. Universities can give up to 600 study hours for cognate learning on a previous higher education course.
These courses are often combined with work for an employer - some of which are able to sponsor students on the course. Graduates are then able to divide time between work and study, translating theory into practice as they proceed. Study is intensive and requires a great deal of commitment and energy but most students agree it's an extremely worthwhile and enjoyable experience.
Why choose land, property and construction?
Everywhere you have been today, a chartered surveyor has been before. Chartered Surveyors are responsible for the valuation of all the physical assets of the world - from major construction projects and property investments to protecting the environment, from surveying the seabed to valuing antiques.
Becoming a chartered surveyor is potentially one of the most exciting and diverse professions around. Here are a few of the reasons why:
Variety
Chartered Surveying is an extremely diverse profession. Depending on which area you decide to specialise in you could go on to become involved in planning and creating cities, protecting the environment, designing the latest Sony Playstation game, helping to organise the festival at Glastonbury, discovering a lost work of art, or doing the next big property deal. And RICS is here to help you realise your full potential and to help you to develop your career.
Sociability
If you consider yourself to be a 'people person' the Land, Property and Construction professions could be for you. You will be talking to a wide range of people from contractors to managing directors. Personal relationships can make you in this business.
Travel
Chartered Surveyors are not chained to their desks. Although you are likely to be office based you will spend a great deal of time out meeting people and inspecting properties or plots of land. Many surveyors travel all over the world.
Lifestyle
Hours in the surveying world are very civilised and compare favourably with other professions such as law. The lifestyle of a surveyor is often envied by individuals in other professions and supported by the number of late entrants to the profession.
Studying just got easier Student membership
Every year, thousands of students discover how much easier it is to study for their degree once they become RICS student members. This isn’t entirely surprising when you consider that we provide a range of dedicated services, which enable students to borrow books and gain access to information that isn’t available in the public domain.
This will make your life easier when it comes to studying or researching assignments. We’ll help you to get better grades - while helping you to spend less time searching for the information that you need.
Student membership is free. To start making your life easier, check out
www.rics.org/student_membership for full details and an application form.