Your guide to becoming a chartered surveyor working in land and resources

Surveyors who work in the land and resources sector make crucial decisions every single day that impact our towns, cities, countryside and coastlines. From coastal erosion and flood defences to town and environmental planning, they play a vital role in how we live and how we develop the country. With climate change and resource scarcity becoming ever more important, surveyors who specialise in land and resources are at the centre of exactly how we shape our future.

From what the land and resources sector is, to the different career pathways and their average salaries, discover more about these professions as RICS answers your most-commonly-asked questions.

What do chartered surveyors who deal with land and resources do?

What you do each day as a chartered surveyor in the land and resources sector will depend on the specialism pathway you choose. During your surveying career working with land and resources, you may be expected to:

• work on renewable energy projects and help clients understand climate change issues and net zero objectives
• advise on the sustainable use of land for agriculture, development, exploitation, remediation and expropriation
• value assets and projects for financial institutions, accounting and taxation
• sell and purchase assets
• advise on landlord and tenant matters, including management and negotiation
• work in coastal and marine environments
• carry out surveys and assessments to identify the potential impact of construction projects on the environment
• prepare and process potential mineral sites, such as quarries and mines
• manage waste facilities
• analyse economic, social and environmental factors to help build sustainable, happy and healthy communities
• manage the rural and natural environment, help clients build sustainable rural businesses and encourage sustainable agriculture
• collect and analyse data using geographic information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS)
• conduct surveys to gather data on the earth’s physical and man-made features
• collect and analyse geographic data to provide mapping for civil engineering and construction projects
• interpret digital images, drone surveys and satellite photos
• deal with the general public and courts during neighbour and other disputes
• play a key role in the conservation and protection of historic or environmentally sensitive sites and areas
• monitor land movement as a result of construction and natural processes
• analyse the physical, environmental and social impacts of proposed developments, and
• act in an alternative dispute resolution capacity as a mediator, expert witness, arbitrator or independent expert.

While you can expect to work a typical working week of 37–40 hours as a minimum, it’s likely you may also be expected to work flexibly as a case or project requires. Some offices may be based in market towns or rural estates, while others will be in bigger towns and cities.

Regardless of where your office is based, the nature of the work will require a lot of time spent outside on site, although this may shift more to an office-based role as you progress your career. This will also happen in all weather conditions throughout the year. Travelling is a key part of the job, and you may be required to travel considerable distances nationally and internationally.

Working as a surveyor who deals with land and resources, you’ll also be required to liaise, negotiate and work with a wide mix of people and professionals including solicitors, accountants, engineers and quantity surveyors. As well as your clients, you’ll likely be dealing with developers, builders, farmers, landowners, owners of rural businesses, other professionals such as lawyers, national government agencies and local authorities.

Types of chartered surveyors that work with land and resources

There are five main specialisms in the land and resources sector, meaning there is a host of opportunities to develop your career in this area:

• geospatial (land)
• environmental
• mineral and waste management
• rural practice and
• planning and development.

Each sector has its own history, identity, educational and qualification pathways, and global footprint, but several key skillsets such as valuation, planning, sustainability, measurement and environment are common to all:

1. Geospatial (land) surveyors

At its most basic level, geospatial surveying (historically known as geomatics or land surveying) provides some of the world’s most essential information – maps! However, geospatial surveying is much more than that. It’s the science and study of spatially-related information, particularly the collection, interpretation, analysis and presentation of the natural, social and economic geography of the natural and built environments.

Geospatial surveyors measure and collect data on specific areas of land and sea. They map, analyse and interpret spatial data on boundaries, buildings and features – both natural and man-made. Their role is to map the shape of the land so that accurate plans can be made for a range of purposes such as geographic information systems (GIS) and offshore engineering.

Land surveyors also work in state land administration on neighbour disputes (boundaries), and are experts in the interpretation and use of national mapping (Ordnance Survey GB, for example) and land registration information. Not only that, but they can often appear as expert witnesses in court and work closely with the legal profession.

Land surveying is a diverse and complex area of practice at the cutting edge of technology. New technology has revolutionised the profession; you could find yourself working with the latest global navigation satellite system (GNSS) equipment, in three-dimensional environments in films, on board a survey ship or even in a helicopter using LIDAR technologies. With three specialist pathways in land, engineering and hydrographic surveying, you can find out more about a career in geospatial surveying here.

a) Engineering surveying

Engineering surveying is the science of determining and/or setting out the position of features on, above or below the earth’s surface to facilitate the design and construction of engineering projects and buildings.

Engineering surveyors get to work on some of the largest infrastructure projects in the world (e.g., HS2, Channel Tunnel, Crossrail), and use cutting-edge technology such as drones, Building Information Modelling (BIM), laser scanners, GNSS and more. They make sure that everything goes into its correct location before, during and after construction.

b) Hydrographic surveying

Hydrographic surveying focuses on the marine surveying of inland waters and rivers, seas and the deep oceans – including engineering surveys for marinas, and offshore surveys for oil and gas installations and construction.

This specialism is about delivering three-dimensional positional and measurement data for physical features in the marine environment. This includes tasks such as seabed bathymetry, coastal zone surveys, climate change adaptation, renewable energy (windfarm) positioning, and construction and management.

2. Environmental surveyors

Environmental surveyors use general surveying techniques to investigate and identify the potential impact of environmental factors on construction projects. It is their job to understand the relationship between a building development and the environment.

They are specialists in all aspects of the management, monitoring and assessment of the environment in the context of real estate, land and construction. Environmental surveyors will be able to help with everything from environmental audits and assessments through to contamination and wildlife.

3. Mineral and waste management surveyors

Mineral and waste management surveyors are involved in the identification, preparation and processing of potential mineral sites (such as quarries and mines). They conduct surveys to investigate the commercial potential of properties, mines and the resources from mining or quarrying, and provide specialist valuation advice to governments, businesses and banks for commercial, taxation and funding purposes.

They will also assess risk, predict environmental impacts, map mineral deposits and plan the disposal of related waste. Chartered and AssocRICS surveyors in this sector can also work on waste site management (e.g., landfill, recycling and energy from waste facilities) and related environmental issues.

4. Rural surveyors

Playing a key part in rural property and agricultural matters, rural chartered surveyors value and manage the use of land in the rural environment. They help landowners, tenants, farmers and other clients manage their businesses by giving wide-ranging professional and technical advice. Rural surveyors also work in business and resource management, as well as consultancy for the land, property and construction industries. They can advise on investment management, land use and diversification, property finance, dispute resolution, forestry and woodland, and auctioneering.

5. Planning and development surveyors

With a crucial role in the towns and cities of the future, planning and development surveyors analyse economic, social and environmental factors to help build sustainable, happy and healthy communities. They work in the public or private sector to help their clients make informed investment choices into areas including site planning, development, conservation and transport.

How to become a chartered surveyor who works in the land and resources sector

To become a chartered surveyor who specialises in land and resources, you need to demonstrate clear surveying knowledge gained through your educational studies and supported by your industry experience.

Education

Having completed your A levels/Highers or equivalent, you can opt to do an RICS-accredited surveying degree. There are over 500 UK courses to choose from, but what degree do you need to be a surveyor in land and resources?

Most courses will require two or three A-levels (or equivalent) to enrol. Degree options include:

• geography
• surveying
• estate management
• planning and development
• property development
• real estate
• civil or mining engineering
• economics
• geospatial surveying
• surveying and mapping
• earth sciences
• environmental science or
• geographical information science.

If you’ve already studied for a relevant undergraduate degree, you have the option of an RICS-accredited postgraduate degree to convert onto the surveying path.

Industry experience

Anyone with GCSEs (or equivalent) and who is aged 16 or over can apply for a surveying apprenticeship and a diploma in surveying. During your apprenticeship, you’ll learn skills on the job, boost your knowledge and gain essential experience. You’ll be required to complete a minimum of 30 hours per week which will be split between training and on-the-job learning.

RICS qualifications

Once you begin your career, your employer will most likely support you through your RICS qualification. This is the time when you need to choose your surveying sector pathway to gain industry experience in your chosen field. If you’re interested in becoming a surveyor who deals with land and resources, this will either be:

• land and resources: associate and chartered
• geomatics: associate and chartered
• environmental: chartered
• minerals and waste management: chartered
• rural: chartered, or
• planning and development: chartered.

RICS associate qualification

As an entry-level RICS qualification, you have the opportunity to progress to full chartered status. To be eligible for associate status, you will need either:

• 1 year of relevant experience and a relevant bachelor’s degree
• 2 years of relevant experience and a relevant higher/advanced/foundation qualification, or
• 4 years of relevant experience (no qualifications required).

To become an associate member on the land and resources pathway, you will be assessed against six out of the 11 core competencies listed here.

RICS chartered qualification

For most surveyors in land and resources, the chartered qualification is the most common way to qualify. This is because most people already have surveying-related qualifications and work experience. To be eligible for chartered status, you will need either:

• relevant experience and an RICS-accredited degree
• 5 years of relevant experience and any bachelor’s degree, or
• 10 years of relevant experience operating at an advanced level by seniority, specialisation or in academia.

To become a chartered member on the land and resources pathway, you will also be assessed against seven of the optional competencies.

Land and resources surveyor salaries: how much could you earn?

The potential salary as an RICS-qualified surveyor who deals with land and resources can depend on several factors, including your qualifications, skills, experience, location, employer, the pathway you choose and whether you have chartered status. For a more specific view of your expected salary, find the latest land surveyor job listings on RICS Recruit.

Once you progress you career into more senior or director-level positions with management or partnership opportunities, you will likely work to performance-related targets with bonuses to enhance your earning potential still further. You’ll also likely enjoy a car allowance, pension, private healthcare and life insurance.

This is a good point, however the current sector pathways page doesn't seem to align with our listed 'types of surveyors in land and resources'. Within the geomatics pathway, the page states that hydrographic and geospacial are two different pathways at associate level. Engineering surveying doesn't seem to be mentioned at all as its own pathway or within geomatics as expected. Please could someone confirm all RICS pathways relevant to mention on this page?