To become a quantity surveyor in the UK, you can take a quantity surveying degree or a postgraduate conversion course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), do a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, or start as a surveying technician and study part time. Chartered status comes later through the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).
Quantity surveyors manage the costs of a building project from the first estimate to the final account. You can enter it from almost any degree subject, which surprises a lot of people. I read the National Careers Service profile and, for US readers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) page on cost estimators, the nearest US equivalent, in October 2026.
The four routes in, compared
| Route | What you do | Typical entry |
|---|---|---|
| University | Quantity surveying degree accredited by RICS | 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent |
| Conversion course | Postgraduate course accredited by RICS | A degree in any subject |
| Degree apprenticeship | Level 6 Construction Quantity Surveyor or Chartered Surveyor, 3 to 5 years | 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels |
| Work | Start as a surveying technician or assistant and study part time | Set by the employer |
There's also a graduate training scheme route, where a company puts you through a postgraduate surveying qualification, and distance learning with the University of the Built Environment.
How to become a quantity surveyor, step by step
- Choose your route. If you're at school, compare a RICS-accredited degree with a degree apprenticeship. The apprenticeship means earning while you study, and it takes between 3 and 5 years.
- Pick a related subject if you're going to university. The National Careers Service lists construction, structural or civil engineering, building surveying, maths, geography, economics and land studies.
- Already have a degree? A RICS-accredited postgraduate conversion course accepts a degree in any subject.
- Get on site and in the office. You could work in an office, at a client's business or on a construction site, and you'll need protective clothing on site.
- Go for chartered status. Register with RICS and become a chartered surveyor through the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). It recognises your skills and improves your career prospects.
What a quantity surveyor does
According to the National Careers Service, you could:
- find out a client's needs and check if the plans are feasible
- work out quantities and costs of materials, time and labour for tenders
- negotiate contracts and work schedules
- advise on legal matters, including commercial risks and disputes
- monitor costs through each stage of a construction project
- report on finances and prepare accounts for payment
- make sure health and safety and building regulations are followed
The skills it asks for are maths, building and construction knowledge, attention to detail, analytical thinking and judgement. Strong communication matters too, because you're negotiating with clients and contractors constantly.
Is quantity surveying a good fit for you?
The National Careers Service skills list is a good self-test. You'll need maths knowledge, an understanding of building and construction, knowledge of engineering science and technology, the ability to use your judgement and initiative, and the confidence to use a computer and the main software packages. If you enjoy working out what something will cost and spotting where a plan won't work, you'll probably enjoy this job. If you'd rather be designing the building, look at architecture instead.
Here's a useful detail from the National Careers Service profile: in its video, two assistant quantity surveyors on degree apprenticeships describe going to university one day a week and working the rest of the week. They're building project experience while they study, which is a head start over a full-time student.
Where the career goes
With experience, you could become a senior quantity surveyor or move into senior project management, supply chain management, consultancy or self-employment. You could also specialise in planning, risk assessment or contract disputes. The National Careers Service doesn't publish a salary figure for this profile, so ask employers and apprenticeship providers directly.
The US equivalent: cost estimator
The job title isn't common in the US. The closest BLS occupation is cost estimator, and the route is different. Construction cost estimators typically need a bachelor's degree in construction or engineering, although some qualify solely through extensive construction experience. Training on estimating software, building information modeling (BIM) and CAD usually happens on the job.
BLS says cost estimators read blueprints and technical documents, collaborate with engineers, architects, clients and contractors, calculate and adjust estimates, recommend ways to cut costs and keep records of estimated against actual costs. Specialty trade contractors employ the most, at 33% of jobs, and some estimators work more than 40 hours a week. The qualities it lists are analytical skills, attention to detail, math, time management and writing, because your reports often shape management decisions.
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As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $78,740 for cost estimators in May 2025, with heavy and civil engineering construction paying the most at $99,910. One warning: BLS projects employment to decline 3% from 2025 to 2035 because better software lets fewer estimators do the same work, although it still expects about 17,600 openings a year.
Related careers
If measuring land and buildings appeals more than managing budgets, my guide on how to become a surveyor covers the land surveying route. And if you want to be on the design side of the same projects, see how to become an architect.
My verdict
Quantity surveying is a smart career for anyone who likes numbers and wants to work in construction without laying bricks. If you're starting out, the degree apprenticeship is the strongest route because you're earning and getting experience at once. If you already have a degree in something else, the RICS conversion course gets you there faster than starting again, and chartered status through the APC is what turns the job into a career.
Frequently asked questions
Can you become a quantity surveyor without a degree?
Yes. The National Careers Service says you can do a Level 6 degree apprenticeship, or start as a surveying technician or assistant and study part time.
How long does a quantity surveying apprenticeship take?
The National Careers Service says Level 6 apprenticeships such as Construction Quantity Surveyor and Chartered Surveyor take between 3 and 5 years.
Can I become a quantity surveyor with an unrelated degree?
Yes. A postgraduate conversion course accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accepts a degree in any subject.
What is a quantity surveyor called in the US?
The closest US occupation is cost estimator. BLS says construction cost estimators typically need a bachelor's degree in a field such as construction or engineering.
