Property Elite x This is Surveying Podcast - RICS APC Pathways, SPA and Support for Surveyors
- Jen Lemen
- 53 minutes ago
- 6 min read
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.
Don’t forget to sign up online for your free 15 minute AssocRICS or RICS APC consultation, including a review of your referral report if you have been referred. You can also book your bespoke training or support services directly through our eShop.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
What is this week's guest podcast about?
In this week's guest podcast, Rachel Saint DipSURV MRICS, Partner and Co-Founder of Property Elite, joined Nina Young FCA of Surveyors UK on the This is Surveying podcast. They discuss the various RICS APC pathways, the Senior Professional Assessment (SPA) and why structured support matters so much for surveyors at every stage of their career.
This Is Surveying lifts the lid on the real world of surveying, the highs, the hurdles, the geeky details and the people behind it.
They go beyond the stereotypes to explore how surveyors shape both the built and natural environment. You’ll hear honest, down-to-earth conversations about work, business, and life, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out, plus fresh perspectives from guests outside the profession who bring valuable insight into leadership, innovation, and change.
Who are Surveyors UK?
In Nina's words...
'Surveyors UK was born from a simple idea with a powerful purpose — to bring the profession together.
In 2021, founder Nina Young – a business professional, surveying student, and marketing strategist for the industry – created the Student Surveyor Group on Facebook. It was meant to be a small, supportive space where students could ask questions, find mentors, and get honest answers from qualified surveyors.
What happened next revealed something much bigger. Within a short space of time, the group grew rapidly and became a place of support for thousands of aspiring professionals. Conversations flourished, mentors were found and it was proof that surveyors at every level were craving connection, community, and recognition.
But there was still no independent home for the whole profession. No single place that unites all types of surveying. No space where students, chartered professionals, and business owners could connect freely off social media, without barriers or bias.
That’s why Surveyors UK was created.
At its heart is The Surveying Room, our free, independent community built with and for surveyors. It’s a safe, professional space to connect, collaborate, learn, and grow together — free from algorithms and distractions. A place where every type of surveyor belongs.
Today, Surveyors UK continues to expand that mission connecting, promoting, and elevating the profession through news, learning, opportunities, and partnership. Because surveying matters and so do the people behind it'.
What do we talk about in the podcast?
Nina and Rachel talk about the various RICS APC pathways, the Senior Professional Assessment (SPA) and why structured support matters so much for surveyors at every stage of their career.
Rachel shares her story to becoming a Chartered Surveyor, building a career in landlord and tenant and retail consultancy, and then pivoting into training surveyors across a wide variety of routes and pathways.
They also explore the the reality of the RICS APC, how to choose the right route for you, and what good mentoring and Counsellor support actually looks like in practice.
We have cherry picked out a few sections of this insightful conversation below for you to read below.
Demystifying the RICS APC process
The RICS APC process is notoriously complex, but for a good reason: the surveying profession is incredibly diverse. There is no 'one size fits all' route or pathway, so good advice at the early stages is essential.
In the podcast, Rachel highlights several common challenges and solutions for candidates:
Choosing the right pathway - candidates often default to the pathway their Counsellor or Supervisor took, which can be a mistake. It is vital to align your chosen pathway and competencies with your actual day-to-day experience and role.
Flexibility is key - many candidates do not realise that you can change your pathway and competencies before you submit for final assessment, if your current pathway no longer fits your experience. This could happen if you change roles or rotate within company departments.
The Counsellor commitment - most RICS APC Counsellors will be fitting the Counsellor role around their full-time job and other life commitments. Where they face signficant time pressure, this can lead to difficulty in commiting to the full scope of the Counsellor commitment. It is a balancing act and often hard to get right, especially when work and Counsellor commitments collide around submission time. Furthermore, if a Counsellor qualified as MRICS some time ago and are not an active RICS APC Assessor or Chairperson, then they may not be up to speed on the latest assessing best practice. An internal Counsellor with time dedicated to the role, a written agreement with your Counsellor (e.g., I promise to do this and you promise to do that - friendly but clear and concise!) or an external Counsellor through Property Elite can help to alleviate these problems.
'Traditional' Technical APC vs. Senior Professional Assessment (SPA) Routes
Rachel is passionate about helping experienced professionals gain recognition through the RICS Senior Professional Assessment (SPA).
Below is a quick and sikmple breakdown of how it differs from the 'traditional' technical routes (i.e., Structured Training, Non-Structured Training and Preliminary Review). Please note that there are many nuances to this, so seek professional advice when you are selecting the right route for you!
'Traditional' Technical APC Routes | SPA | |
Target Audience | Graduates, more experienced degree holders or membership of other professional bodies (Recognition of Professional Qualifications, or RPQ) | Leaders, directors or senior managers (usually with 10+ years of experience) |
Assessment Focus | Focus on technical knowledge and structured training (for graduates with <10 years' experience) | Focus on leadership, managing people and managing resources - being a professional role model for others within your organisation and team |
The 'art and science' of valuation
Despite the rise of AI and Automated Valuation Models (AVMs), Rachel stresses that surveying remains a deeply physical profession. You cannot fully understand a property's value purely from a screen...
A surveyor usually needs to physically visit the location to understand the macro and micro factors affectying the property; from the condition of the neighbouring properties to local transport improvements and sustainability factors. Valuation is, therefore, the intersection of hard data (comparables) and a nuanced understanding of market drivers.
Where can I learn more about Surveyors UK?
If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them.
Connect with Nina Young on LinkedIn
How can we help?
We work with candidates across the globe, including those in New Zealand and the APAC region - and can provide mentoring times to suit your time zone. Don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss how we can help - you might even have the opportunity to work with Mike!
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.
Download your free AssocRICS and RICS APC resources, including e-books and revision quizzes.
Find out more about our bespoke AssocRICS and RICS APC training and support, before booking your free 15 minute consultation.
Not sure about signing up? Make sure you read what our recent successful candidates have to say in our Testimonials.
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.
