Surveyor CPD Hub

How to become a quantity surveyor in the UK

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Quantity surveying is the commercial and cost discipline of construction — and one of the most in-demand, well-paid routes in the profession. If you’re more drawn to budgets, contracts and project economics than to inspecting brickwork, this is likely your path. Here’s how to become a quantity surveyor in the UK.

Weighing up the different disciplines? See the how to become a surveyor overview first.

What a quantity surveyor does

A quantity surveyor (QS) manages the money side of building projects. Typical work includes:

  • Cost estimating and budgeting at the design stage.
  • Procurement and tendering — putting work out and assessing bids.
  • Contract administration and managing variations.
  • Interim valuations and the final account.

QSs work for contractors (“contractor’s QS”) or for clients/consultancies (“PQS” — private practice QS), and increasingly use cost and BIM software.

How to qualify as a quantity surveyor

The main routes:

  1. RICS-accredited QS degree → RICS APC. The traditional chartered route. See the RICS APC guide.
  2. Degree apprenticeship. Combine paid work with study — see surveying apprenticeships.
  3. Conversion route. Graduates from other subjects can take an accredited conversion master’s.

There’s also a route to AssocRICS as a stepping stone before chartered status.

Accredited courses, the APC and apprenticeship standards change. Confirm current requirements with RICS before enrolling.

Skills, earnings and demand

Skills that matter: numeracy and measurement, commercial awareness, negotiation, attention to detail, and confidence with cost software and spreadsheets.

Earnings: QS is generally among the better-paid surveying disciplines, varying with sector, region and chartered status.

Demand: consistently strong — construction always needs cost control, and skilled QSs are sought after across sectors.

Keep your CPD current

Whatever your discipline, keep learning from day one. The free CPD directory collects general surveying and regulatory CPD worth your time.

How I can help

I train people entering surveying and can help you decide whether QS fits you better than the condition-focused disciplines. My CPD courses are in development — join the list for early access and a launch discount.

Frequently asked questions

What does a quantity surveyor do?

A quantity surveyor (QS) manages the costs and commercial side of construction projects — estimating, budgeting, procurement, contracts, valuations and final accounts. They keep projects financially on track from inception to completion.

What qualifications do I need to become a quantity surveyor?

Usually an RICS-accredited quantity surveying degree (or an accredited conversion course), then the RICS APC for chartered status. Degree apprenticeships are also a route.

Do you need to be good at maths to be a quantity surveyor?

You need to be comfortable with numbers, measurement and commercial logic — but it's applied, practical maths, not advanced theory. Attention to detail and good spreadsheet/software skills matter more than abstract ability.

How much do quantity surveyors earn?

QS salaries vary with experience, sector, region and chartered status, and the discipline is generally well paid relative to other surveying routes.

Is quantity surveying a good career?

It's one of the more in-demand and well-remunerated surveying disciplines, with clear progression and transferable commercial skills. It suits people who like numbers, contracts and project management.