How to become a rural surveyor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- a graduate training scheme
University
You'll usually need a relevant degree or postgraduate qualification, accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
This kind of role is open to graduates of a wide range of subjects. Particularly relevant ones include:
- geographic information science
- rural estate and land management
- land use and environmental management
- rural business management
- surveying
You can also take a degree or postgraduate course approved by the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers.
You may be able to do a postgraduate conversion course if your first degree is not related to 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
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Apprenticeship
You can qualify as a rural surveyor by doing a degree apprenticeship in surveying.
You can find out more about surveying apprenticeships from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Other Routes
You could get a postgraduate qualification through a graduate trainee scheme.
Organisations like the National Trust recruit trainee rural surveyors.
You could also get a graduate diploma in surveying by distance learning, with the University College of Estate Management, if you're working for a surveying practice.
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Career tips
Experience of working on the land, for example in farming or conservation, could give you an advantage when looking for work.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers for professional development training, industry news and networking opportunities.
Further information
You can get more advice about careers in surveying from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.