The Chartered Surveyor
Apprenticeship Route
Earn a salary, gain real experience and work toward MRICS — all at the same time. Everything you need to know before you apply.
What the apprenticeship route actually is
Earn from day one
You are employed from the start. Paid a salary throughout. No waiting until graduation to begin your career.
RICS-accredited degree
You study part-time — typically one day a week or block release — for a RICS-accredited degree alongside your job.
Leads toward MRICS
The route is structured toward Chartered Surveyor status. Strong apprentices can reach MRICS in around five years with no tuition debt.
The four stages of the journey
01
Secure your apprenticeship
Apply to firms from September to March for the following summer or autumn start. Most require 3 A-levels and GCSE Maths and English as a minimum. Some firms accept career changers with relevant work experience.
02
Degree + workplace experience
Five years for most routes. You work Monday to Thursday, study on Friday or in blocks. Structured competency development throughout — this is where you build your APC evidence as you go.
03
End-point assessment
Near the end of the programme you complete a professional assessment. This typically involves a case study, portfolio of competency evidence, professional discussion and demonstration of ethical standards.
04
Chartered status — MRICS
Once all requirements are successfully met you can become a Chartered Surveyor. This is not automatic — it requires the right experience, evidence and readiness at the required standard.
Day-to-day across four common pathways
Building Surveying
Inspecting buildings and reporting on condition
Identifying defects and dilapidations
Advising on refurbishment and repair
Writing technical reports for clients
Site visits across residential and commercial
Quantity Surveying
Preparing cost plans and estimates
Tendering and procurement
Contract administration
Monitoring budgets on live projects
Valuations of completed works
Commercial Real Estate
Viewings and market appraisals
Investment and yield analysis
Lease negotiations and renewals
Client reporting and advice
Agency, management or investment work
Project Management
Programme and cost monitoring
Coordinating design teams
Risk registers and reporting
Client liaison throughout delivery
Site-based and office-based work
What employers are actually looking for
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Genuine interest in property, construction or land — not just "a good career"
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Commercial awareness — basic understanding of how property and business interact
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Confidence communicating with people — clients, colleagues and contractors
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Problem-solving mindset — can you think through a challenge methodically?
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Professional attitude — punctual, reliable, willing to learn from senior colleagues
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Do not only target CBRE and JLL. Regional firms, councils and housing associations often have fewer applicants and excellent training.
Typical starting salary by region
London£24,000 — £32,000
Regional cities£20,000 — £28,000
Smaller towns£18,000 — £24,000
Salary usually rises each year as you progress through the programme. By the time you reach chartered status, salaries of £35,000–£55,000+ are typical depending on pathway and location.
No tuition fees means take-home pay is significantly better than a full-time student's position.
The honest reality check
Why strong apprentices often outperform graduates
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Five years of live professional experience by the time they reach chartered status
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No student debt — financial position significantly stronger from the start
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Employer network and professional relationships built over five years — not starting from scratch
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Competency evidence built continuously — not assembled in the final months
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Commercial awareness developed in practice — not just studied in a classroom
What to think carefully about before applying
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Balancing full-time work, university deadlines and professional diary records simultaneously is demanding
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Chartered status is not automatic at year five — you need the right experience, evidence and readiness
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If you dislike deadlines, juggling priorities or regular client-facing work — think carefully
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The profession is broader than most people realise — surveyors work in sustainability, data, AI property roles, rural estates, stadiums and infrastructure, not just offices
All candidate guides