Surveyor graduate jobs & schemes 2025

Surveying covers multiple specialisms, and graduate jobs are typically found in the following areas:

• Quantity Surveying – Managing construction costs, budgets, and contracts.
• Building Surveying – Assessing the condition of buildings, identifying defects, and ensuring compliance.
• Land & Geomatics Surveying – Measuring and mapping land for construction, environmental, and legal purposes.
• Commercial Property Surveying – Valuing, managing, and advising on commercial real estate investments.
• Residential Property Surveying – Conducting property valuations and surveys for homebuyers and developers.
• Planning & Development Surveying – Managing land use, urban development, and infrastructure projects.
• Rural Surveying – Working with agricultural, forestry, and estate management projects.

Most firms offer structured graduate schemes , often leading to professional accreditation.

A degree in quantity surveying, building surveying, real estate, or geography is ideal, but some firms accept graduates from related subjects like engineering, architecture, or environmental science . If your degree isn’t RICS-accredited, you may need to complete a conversion course .

The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) is a structured training program required to become a chartered surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) . Many graduate schemes support trainees through the APC, which typically takes 2–3 years .

• Numerical & analytical skills – Important for cost estimation and valuation.
• Technical knowledge – Understanding construction, contracts, and land law.
• Attention to detail – Ensuring compliance with regulations and accuracy in surveying.
• Project management skills – Overseeing budgets, contracts, and timelines.
• Communication & negotiation – Dealing with clients, contractors, and legal professionals.
• IT & software skills – Experience with CAD, GIS, and surveying tools (AutoCAD, Revit, Trimble).

Salaries vary by specialism and location:

• Quantity Surveying: £28,000 – £35,000
• Building Surveying: £26,000 – £34,000
• Land & Geomatics Surveying: £24,000 – £32,000
• Commercial Property Surveying: £28,000 – £36,000
• Rural Surveying: £24,000 – £30,000

Salaries increase significantly after completing the RICS APC , with chartered surveyors earning £40,000 – £70,000+.

Surveying is less competitive than finance or law but still requires relevant experience. To stand out:
✔ Gain internships or placements in surveying or property roles.
✔ Get familiar with surveying software like AutoCAD, GIS, and Revit.
✔ Develop knowledge of property law and construction regulations .
✔ Work towards RICS accreditation or start an APC early.

• AutoCAD & Revit – For designing and assessing buildings.
• GIS & Mapping Software – Used in land surveying and planning.
• Cost Estimation & Budgeting – Essential for quantity surveying.
• Legal & Regulatory Knowledge – Understanding property laws and contracts.
• Drones & Laser Scanning (LiDAR) – Becoming more common in modern surveying.