Surveyor
Help shape the world around you working in construction, property or environmental roles.
Also known as: chartered surveyor
About the job
What it's like
Surveyors help shape the world around us.
There are a wide range of surveyor jobs out there, with the work you'd do varying greatly in each.
The three main areas you could work in as a surveyor are:
land and environment
property
building and construction
You might make sure the land and environment where people live is being used in a responsible, green way. You could be working out the value of properties and overseeing the process of buying and selling. Or, you could be supervising building projects, from people's homes to skyscrapers and stadiums.
What you might do:
check buildings for structural damage or defects and advise on repairs
manage projects, keeping them on time and on budget
make sure properties meet building regulations and other legal standards
produce homebuyer reports and energy performance surveys
value property and manage the process of buying and selling
advise on energy efficiency and environmental impact
work on the conservation of historic structures
manage the development and use of land
prepare designs from technical specifications
measure and chart the Earth’s physical and man-made features
There are many more things you could get involved with as a surveyor. It’s a career with a lot of opportunities and different areas for you to specialise in.
Have a look at some of our other surveyor profiles to learn more about different specialisms:
Green job
In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.
Hours
Environment
Travel
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From February 2024 to February 2025.
- ground-penetrating radar
- surveying
- naval design
- multibeam echosounder
- topography
- gps navigation software
- photogrammetry
- metal building software
- underground utilities
- digital mapping
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- managing resources
- attention to detail
- social conscience
- problem solving
- resourceful
- written communication
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- building relationships
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Foundation Apprenticeship: Construction
Business Management
English
Geography
Information and Communications Technology - ICT
Maths (Mathematics)
Science
Foundation Apprenticeship: Civil Engineering
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
There are several paths into this career.
You might learn on the job and work towards a professional qualification. For example, through an apprenticeship or an employer's training scheme.
Use our job search to browse opportunities.
Find apprenticeship vacancies on apprenticeships.scot.
Many employers will value a degree or postgraduate qualification. This could be in surveying or a subject related to the type of surveying specialism you're interested in. For example, construction for a career as a building surveyor.
To enter a degree course, you'll likely need 4 Highers at BBCC or better. Some courses will allow entry if you have a relevant Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND).
Entry to HNC and HND course varies depending on the subject and type of course. It will be helpful to have at least 1 Higher at C, preferably in a relevant subject such as maths or science. You might also need National 5 qualifications or a National Certificate in a relevant subject.
You can search RICS accredited courses on their website. Search for the right course for you.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) offer many accreditations. These show that individuals and organisations have appropriate qualifications.
A driving licence might be helpful for the travel involved. A good level of physical fitness could also be handy as this can be an active job when you’re working on sites.
A Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card if you're working on building sites. You need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.
Read more about CSCS cards and how to apply on the scheme’s website.
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