APC Series: Taking the right route

The assessment of professional competence is the final step to becoming a chartered surveyor and gaining the MRICS accreditation. But not all APC candidates are the same, and there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to qualification.  While there are average timelines, a candidate may take longer to complete their APC based on experience and circumstances. There is no rush to get qualified, and successful candidates ensure that they only submit for assessment when they are ready. Do I need to do real estate at university? It is very much a myth that only graduates from property or construction courses can become MRICS-qualified. There are a range of routes available to aspiring chartered surveyors across myriad pathways. The term “chartered surveyor” is protected by a royal charter and can only be used by surveyors who attain the MRICS or FRICS qualifications. There is a third qualification granted by the RICS, AssocRICS, which is highly regarded but does not confer the chartered surveyor title. The royal charter sets out the aim of the RICS, which is to “maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage in the United Kingdom and in any other part of the world”. Chartered surveyors work across every facet of the built and natural environments. They are involved throughout the entire property lifecycle, from conception of a project through to demolition.  There are approximately 110,000 RICS-qualified surveyors globally (AssocRICS, MRICS and FRICS), with around 77,000 of these being located in the UK. Approximately 84% are male, 15% are female and less than 1% did not identify as either, preferring not to state their gender, according to RICS research in 2020. Why become a chartered surveyor? There are wide-ranging benefits to becoming a chartered surveyor. These include: Enhanced career and earning prospects. The RICS reports that UK members earn £16,000 more annually than non-members (RICS, 2020); Global recognition, networking and peer support; Enhanced skills and employability globally; Client recognition and trust, particularly when undertaking valuation work; Compliance with a set of ethical and professional standards; and Having a voice and input into issues of global concern, eg climate change. Routes to qualification Now we have ascertained that being a chartered surveyor can be a rewarding career, with the opportunity to make a real impact on the world, let us look at the different routes to becoming qualified. T-level and apprenticeship If you are reading this while still at school, why not consider T-levels or an apprenticeship? T-levels are a vocational equivalent to A-levels, which take two years to complete through blended classroom learning and work experience (of at least 315 hours or 45 days). The most relevant T-level subject is currently Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction. Successful completion of a T-level provides sufficient UCAS points for making an application onto an undergraduate course, with the additional benefit of already having good industry experience. If you live in Wales, then you could consider the new GCSE Built Environment – an excellent way of finding out more about a career in surveying, property and/or construction. Apprentices also combine work-based experience and classroom learning. Government apprentice funding is often attractive to both apprentices and employers, so it is an option worth considering. There are two levels of apprenticeship: level 3 surveying technician (A-level equivalent taking two years) or level 6 chartered surveyor (degree equivalent with 60 months study at undergraduate level or 30 months study at postgraduate level). The end point to the former is AssocRICS and to the latter is the APC to become MRICS qualified. Graduates Next, we have the more typical graduate routes to becoming a chartered surveyor. Graduates who completed an RICS-accredited course can proceed via structured training (24 months or 400 days if you have zero to five years’ experience, or 12 months or 200 days if you have five to 10 years’ experience). This means you must keep a diary of your structured training experience. For graduates with more than 10 years’ experience, the requirement to undergo structured training is removed. Graduates with non-cognate or non-RICS-accredited degrees typically need to proceed via preliminary review. This is an additional written submission, adding around four to six months minimum to the timeframe to become qualified. If you have another professional body membership, for example, being a Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, then preliminary review may also be available to you by a process known as “direct entry”. There are also a few very specific qualifications that give access via “direct entry” without preliminary review. If you are already AssocRICS-qualified, then there are various routes available. One of these is the progression route, which requires 900 study hours to be completed from the final year of an RICS-accredited undergraduate or postgraduate degree course. We understand that the RICS is due to launch a revised route next year, which will make AssocRICS progression a lot more streamlined. Senior professional, specialist and academic Finally, there are three other, very different assessment routes: senior professional, specialist and academic. The senior professional route will be right if you are in a senior management position and not at the “coal face”, on a day-to-day basis. You may, for example, lead a team which is undertaking the technical work, leaving you to manage and lead. You will need more than 10 years’ experience (but no qualifications), which is reduced to five years if you have a postgraduate degree. The specialist route will be right for you if you have a high-level decision-making position and a track record of providing specialist consultancy work. You may have lectured, provided formal training, be qualified above master’s level or be involved in dispute resolution for a specialist technical area. The entry requirements are the same as for senior professional in terms of experience and qualifications. Finally, if you are a lecturer or researcher, then the academic route may be available for you to become a chartered surveyor. Case studies Alison Stone, RICS-registered valuer, Alison Stone Surveyors When I initially pursued my APC in 2015, I was rightly referred due to a lack of comprehensive knowledge and understanding. Although I subsequently achieved AssocRICS and registered valuer status, I still aspired to earn the prestigious MRICS designation, which signifies dedication and competence. When work slowed at the onset of the first Covid lockdown and the RICS offered opportunities for free CPD, it seemed the right time to try again, especially as the specialist route aligned perfectly with my expertise. As a specialist focusing on residential valuations under the leasehold reform legislation, I have a great depth of knowledge in this area. However, my proficiency in general surveying is comparatively weaker. The specialist route appealed to me because it allowed me to showcase my expertise in my chosen field while also covering the essential surveying principles and ethical components. To qualify for the specialist route, a minimum of 10 years’ experience is required, but unlike the traditional route, there is no need to complete the diary. However, it is still essential to demonstrate a thorough understanding of and ability in the competencies. Along with submitting a comprehensive CV and specialist profile statement, three case studies must be prepared to show your knowledge and experience in relation to these competencies. During my interview, after providing a brief introduction about myself and explaining my journey to running my own company, the questions primarily focused on running a business and basic valuation skills. Interestingly, there was no leasehold valuer on my interview panel, which highlights the diverse nature of the specialist route. This route is, as it says on the tin, for specialists in their respective fields. If anyone is considering this option, I would happily have a chat with them and share my experiences. Babatunji Adegoke, project manager My interest in the real estate industry started with my pursuit of a civil engineering degree (bachelors) from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and later a masters in construction management from the same university. I became a professional member of both the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. In addition, I obtained the project management professional accreditation and AssocRICS. I decided to undertake the MRICS qualification during the pandemic to develop my career further, gain industry recognition and make efficient use of the period which included time sat at home. I opted for the preliminary review route to qualification because it was a two-stage process and I could be certain my submission was good enough once I passed the stage before the final assessment. The qualification process, which took about two years, was rigorous – I sometimes became overwhelmed by the APC submissions. However, I have found the MRICS qualification to be useful in helping me to further my vision for a civil society where automated real estate infrastructures can increase energy efficiency and create a cleaner environment. RICS’s global recognition in the built environment and strong membership, which cuts across various continents, was one of the attractions of the qualification to me when I considered becoming an MRICS. I knew that gaining the MRICS qualification would enhance my network across the globe. I am honoured to have earned the MRICS certification, and I am happy with my accomplishment. Paul Grundy, head of asset management, LRC UK I was always interested in the built environment and enrolled on an HND in business property management at Sheffield Hallam University. I excelled on the course and was fast-tracked on to an RICS-accredited degree in property development. After graduating in 2007, I landed a role as graduate planning and development surveyor for a site assembly company in Manchester. It provided the perfect foundation to start my APC but  was cut short by redundancy. My subsequent roles in the public sector and residential property management provided diverse experience. In 2014, I joined Akelius Residential as an asset manager. During the Covid lockdowns I decided to embark on my APC. By then, I had 13 years’ experience, which enabled me to take the non-structured training route. None of my colleagues were chartered, so I went to a third-party mentor and I used the RICS online learning packages to get the necessary CPD. In June 2022, I passed my APC and the benefits were immediate: in July 2022 I took on my most recent role as head of asset management for LRC UK. The quick quiz 1. Where is the RICS head office located? a) Parliament Street b) Great George Street c) Surveying Street 2. What is the RICS setting up six of in response to the Bichard Review? a) Professional group seats b) Professional group panels c) Knowledge information groups 3. How does the RICS seek opinions on the profession from members? a) Surveyor survey b) Survey of the industry c) Survey of the profession Answers: 1: b; 2: b; 3: c Jen Lemen BSc (Hons) FRICS is a co-founder and partner of Property Elite View more early career content at EG’s Evolve & Grow hub Main image © Gabriel Terrizzi/Pexels