Quantity surveyor

You could do a quantity surveying degree or a postgraduate conversion course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Useful degree subjects include:

• construction
• structural or civil engineering
• maths
• geography
• economics
• land studies

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could take a surveying technician advanced apprenticeship, followed by further training on the job, or a chartered surveyor or construction quantity surveyor degree apprenticeship.

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 degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start work as a surveying technician or surveying assistant, and study part time to become a quantity surveyor.

You could get a postgraduate surveying qualification through a graduate trainee scheme with a company or through distance learning with the University College of Estate Management.

Registration

• you can register with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors to become a chartered surveyor through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a quantity surveyor from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Go Construct.

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• persistence and determination
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your initiative
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• finding out a client's needs and assessing if their plans are feasible
• working out quantities and costs of materials, time and labour for tenders
• negotiating contracts and work schedules
• advising on legal matters, including risks and disputes
• monitoring sub-contractors and stages of construction
• writing regular reports on costs and preparing accounts for payment
• keeping up to date with construction methods and materials
• following health and safety and building regulations

You could work at a client's business or in an office.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

You may need to wear protective clothing.