Building a Better You
Property Elite’s sole aim is to build better property professionals - supporting your career every step of the way, whether you are an AssocRICS or RICS APC candidate or a MRICS or FRICS Chartered Surveyor simply seeking engaging CPD.
We provide a wide range of training and support, so why not find out more on our website about how we might be able to support you?
We work with candidates across all RICS APC and AssocRICS pathways, routes to assessment and geographic regions.
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What is this week's blog about?
In this week’s blog, we take a look at the end point assessments for level 3 and 6 surveying apprentices.
What is an apprenticeship?
New Trailblazer apprenticeships were introduced following the Richard Review in 2012.
They are an excellent way to combine working, studying and a professional qualification (AssocRICS or MRICS) for motivated individuals of any age.
Apprenticeships allow you to:
Gain transferable skills
Secure a long-term role
Progress your career, including gaining an industry-recognised qualification as the end point assessment
Allow you to study whilst earning
Avoid needing a student loan or to pay tuition fees
Watch the below to find out more about why you might want to choose a surveying apprenticeship.
How can I find an apprenticeship?
Head to either of the below as a starting point:
RICS Recruit (you will need to enter appropriate search parameters)
Who can become an apprentice?
Anyone over 16 years
Located in England (different processes and rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
In paid employment for the duration of their apprenticeship
Who is involved in an apprenticeship?
Apprentice
Employer
University or college (training provider)
RICS for end point AssocRICS or APC assessment
Any extra support, such as that provided by Property Elite to help you succeed first time
Which apprenticeships exist for surveyors?
There are three levels of apprenticeships for surveyors; level 3, level 4 and level 6. You can search for detailed information on each via the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education website. The RICS also provide more information for employers here.
Level 3 is equivalent to A levels, whilst Level 6 is at degree-level (either undergraduate or postgraduate).
Each apprenticeship has an end point assessment (EPA), i.e., assessment for a professional qualification. The EPA for Level 3 and Level 4 is AssocRICS, whilst for Level 6 it is the APC (MRICS).
Level 3 apprenticeships typically take 2 years, with funding of £9,000 available.
The Level 3 apprenticeships are as follows:
Surveying technician
Geospatial survey technician
The following sector-specific pathways are available for Level 3 surveying technician apprenticeships:
Building Surveying
Commercial Property
Land
Planning and Development
Project Management
Quantity Surveying
Residential Property
Valuation
There are two Level 4 apprenticeships, which also have the EPA as AssocRICS:
Construction quantity surveying technician – 36 months and £8,000 funding available
Land referencer – 30 months and £14,000 funding available
Level 6 apprenticeships typically take 60 months for an undergraduate degree or 30 months for a postgraduate degree. The degree achieved will always be RICS accredited. There is funding of £27,000 available.
The Level 6 apprenticeships are as follows:
Chartered surveyor
Geospatial mapping & sciences
The following sector-specific pathways are available for Level 6 chartered surveyor apprenticeships:
Building Surveying
Quantity Surveying and Project Management – aligning to the APC pathways for Quantity Surveying & Construction and Project Management
Property – aligning to the APC pathways for Corporate Real Estate, Commercial Real Estate, Land and Resources, Planning and Development, Residential, Rural, and Valuation
When should apprentices enrol on the EPA?
Apprentices should become student members of RICS within 3 months of starting their apprenticeship course. This can be done via the RICS website.
RICS then recommend the following timeframes for enrolment on the various EPAs:
Further guidance on enrolment can be found here.
How does the APC EPA work?
The EPA for Level 6 apprenticeships is the APC, allowing apprentices to qualify as MRICS, i.e., a chartered surveyor.
Apprentices will spend around 60 months on their apprenticeship programme (including a minimum of 20% off-the-job training) before they proceed to the gateway stage.
The gateway stage is a form that apprentices, their employer and their training provider complete and which is then sent to RICS (via the training provider using ACE360). It confirms that the apprentice has evidenced a number of requirements to be eligible to proceed to the EPA.
This includes completion of:
English/mathematics at Level 2
An RICS accredited degree
A summary of experience portfolio, which mirrors the RICS APC 24 month (400 day minimum) structured training requirements. This is not directly assessed but is used during the final interview
Once the gateway stage is passed, apprentices typically have 8-12 months to complete the EPA.
The EPA includes three assessment methods:
Online test (Professionalism Module)
Final submission, including case study and CPD record (plus above summary of experience)
Interviews – one on the case study (20 minutes) and one on the summary of experience (40 minutes)
This mirrors the ‘standard’ RICS APC structured training route submission and interview requirements. Candidates submit their work to RICS in the usual way. You can read our other blog articles to find out more about all of these elements!
How does the AssocRICS EPA work?
The EPA for Level 3 apprenticeships is AssocRICS.
The gateway stage is a form that apprentices, their employer and their training provider complete and which is then sent to RICS. It confirms that the apprentice has evidenced a number of requirements to be eligible to proceed to the EPA.
This includes completion of:
English/mathematics at Level 2
A Level 3 Diploma
21 months’ relevant work experience
A record of a minimum of 48 hours’ CPD, undertaken during the last 12 months
Once the gateway stage is passed, apprentices can then complete the EPA. This is a written only assessment, comprising a case study, summary of experience, CPD record and Professionalism Module.
This again mirrors the ‘standard’ RICS AssocRICS submission requirements. Candidates submit their work to RICS in the usual way. You can read our other blog articles to find out more about how this works in practice.
How can we help?
Don't leave it too late to book your submission feedback and review, APC question pack, e-mock interview or 1-2-1 mentoring. We also provide revision quizzes, revision guides and a CPD Webinar Package.
We offer a range of short and long-term support packages in our eShop, including our popular Monthly Mentoring and Kick Start packages. These can include an RICS APC or AssocRICS Counsellor in certain circumstances.
Head to our blog archive to access even more free CPD and AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support.
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Find out more about our bespoke AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support, before booking your free 15 minute consultation.
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Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you.
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, professional or financial advice.