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How to become a quantity surveyor

Quantity surveyors manage the costs of building projects — estimating what work will cost, managing contracts and budgets, and agreeing payments as the work is done.

You could work for a contractor, a consultancy, a developer or the public sector, in an office and on site.

You could start through an RICS-accredited degree, a degree apprenticeship, a technician apprenticeship or a conversion course after another degree. Chartered status (MRICS) is optional but common.

  • Multiple routes
  • Earn while learning possible
  • Chartered status optional

4 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    RICS-accredited degree, then the APC

    For those who want to study quantity surveying at university, then train at work towards chartered status.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements; the National Careers Service says a degree usually needs 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent
    • Choose a course accredited by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) for the standard APC route
    • After graduating, an assistant or graduate quantity surveyor job

    Pathway outline

    1. Study an RICS-accredited quantity surveying degree
    2. Apply for a graduate or assistant quantity surveyor job
    3. Enrol on the APC and complete at least 24 months' structured training
    4. Record 96 hours of continuing professional development
    5. Pass the final assessment interview and become MRICS
    Estimated duration
    About 5 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical full-time bachelor's degree in England takes 3 years, then at least 24 months' APC structured training.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £30,432Paid up front by you: £1,062Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually after graduating, although many students take a paid placement year.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Quantity surveyor degree apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want to earn a wage and gain a surveying degree at the same time, with training paid for.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service says degree apprenticeships usually ask for 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent
    • Vacancies are competitive and availability varies by region

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a Construction quantity surveyor (degree) or Chartered surveyor (degree) apprenticeship
    2. Work and study; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the degree and the end-point assessment
    4. You could work towards chartered status through the RICS APC
    Estimated duration
    3 to 5 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Construction quantity surveyor (degree) at 36 months and Chartered surveyor (degree) at 60 months. The National Careers Service says 3 to 5 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £18,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CApprenticeship

    Quantity surveying technician apprenticeship (Level 4)

    For those who want to start as a surveying assistant or technician, earn a wage and build up step by step.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training
    • Vacancies vary by region; 51 training providers were listed when we checked

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for the Level 4 Construction quantity surveying technician apprenticeship
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Complete the end-point assessment
    4. You could continue to a degree apprenticeship or part-time degree
    5. You could then work towards the RICS APC
    Estimated duration
    About 3 years to technician level; longer to quantity surveyor
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists Construction quantity surveying technician (level 4) at 36 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £9,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route DCareer change

    Career change: degree in another subject, then an accredited conversion course

    For graduates of any subject — or people already working — who want to move into quantity surveying.

    Starting requirements

    • A degree in any subject for a postgraduate conversion course; universities set their own requirements
    • Choose an RICS-accredited course if you want the standard APC route
    • If you already have a degree and 5 years' relevant experience, RICS's preliminary review route may suit you instead

    Pathway outline

    1. Study an RICS-accredited postgraduate conversion course (full-time, part-time or distance learning)
    2. Apply for an assistant or trainee quantity surveyor role
    3. Enrol on the APC and complete at least 24 months' structured training
    4. Pass the final assessment interview and become MRICS
    Estimated duration
    Your conversion course, then at least 2 years' APC training
    How we estimate this

    RICS requires at least 24 months' structured training with an accredited degree. Conversion course length is set by each university and is not included in this minimum.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £1,062Plus: Postgraduate fees are set by each university and were not verifiedPaid up front by you: At least £1,062Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    If you study part-time or by distance learning you could keep working; full-time study usually means a gap in earnings.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Related careers — not the same as a quantity surveyor

Each of these is a separate career with its own entry rules.

  • Building surveyor

    Building surveyors advise on the design, construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. It is a separate surveying career, also with an RICS chartered route.

    National Careers Service guide: £28,000 (starter) to £65,000 (experienced), England.

    Official guidance (opens in a new tab)Qualification details

Questions people ask

Do I need a degree to become a quantity surveyor?

Not always. You could start with a Level 4 technician apprenticeship or a degree apprenticeship, which gives you a degree while you work. For the standard RICS chartered route you need an accredited degree, but other APC routes exist for experienced people.

Do I need to be chartered (MRICS)?

No. Many quantity surveyors work without being chartered. MRICS is a professional status that some employers ask for or support, especially for senior roles.

Can I switch into quantity surveying from another career?

You could. With a degree in another subject you could take an RICS-accredited conversion course, and with 5 years' relevant experience RICS's preliminary review route may suit you.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

Compare routes side by side