Qualification overview
The Diploma in Residential Surveying is a vocational qualification, meaning it gives you the skills and knowledge to be a well-rounded residential building surveyor. The qualification is accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). It is ideal for those who wish to join the surveying profession but are not interested in joining the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor (RICS), as well as those who are already a member of RICS through a different route to membership e.g. commercial property, but who want a change of direction in their career. If your goal is to become a residential surveyor and join RICS, we would recommend our sister qualification, the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation, which is also accredited by RICS.
Key features
- Level 6 vocational diploma to enable existing property professionals and those new to the industry to gain knowledge on residential construction and building pathology
- Training material and course training days delivered by industry leaders
- Delivered via a mix of virtual classrooms, online learning and face-to-face sessions at your chosen course location
- Includes practical property visits to put your building surveying skills into practise
- Provides in-depth training and assessment
- Study is part time so you can complete the diploma whilst continuing to work in your current role
- Accredited by CABE
Qualification summary
Awarding body:
Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE)
Learning Hours:
18-22 months
Qualification type:
Level 6 Qualification
Study method:
Part-time blended learning including a mix of face-to-face and virtual sessions
Outcome:
Diploma in Residential Surveying
Learning credits:
52
Qualification details
Training
Training lasts for 14 months and is delivered via a mix of face-to-face and online learning. It includes the following modules:
- Being A Professional
This module discusses everything it means to be professional and introduces ethics, client care, communication, regulation, and professional conduct. It covers conflict avoidance, management, and dispute resolution procedures. - Law
Law underpins the whole qualification. This module introduces law and discusses how it is made and introduces some land law concepts such as easements, restrictive covenants, contract law, negligence, and occupiers liability. It also covers legal and regulatory compliance. - Property Research and Observation
Observational and research skills are essential for surveying and these modules introduce completing thorough property research as well as developing the skills needed to ’see’ and record those observations in residential properties. This module also includes the importance of keeping property records and data management and introduces health and safety. - Investigating Residential Property – Case Study Properties
This module focus on how properties are built and what can go wrong. They look at sites, foundations, floors, roofs, walls, and joinery. We explore how residential buildings should be correctly built and the process of diagnosing the cause of defects such as building movement, dampness etc. The interactive sessions will focus on case study properties. - Investigating Residential Property – Building Services
This module looks at service systems and what can go wrong. It covers inspection and testing of electrical systems, heating services, plumbing and drainage. - Inspecting Property
Building upon the observation and recording skills from earlier in the course, this focuses on the inspection ‘agenda’ and equipment. It covers property measurement in depth (including industry regulatory standards) and looks at residential rebuilding costs. It also covers health and safety whilst on site. - Investigating Residential Property – Practical days
The practical days are site visits to a range of real properties to carry out a full inspection followed by a detailed analysis of the findings to determine what defects might exist and how impactful they would be on the owner. Please note: regardless of course location, these site visits take place in Milton Keynes. - Introduction to Assessment
This covers the preparation needed for the assessment process, how to present evidence for your qualification, and an overview of how to use the online e-portfolio system. - Energy & Sustainability
This module focuses on sustainability using the ‘three pillar’ framework. It looks in depth at energy efficiency and how appropriate energy improvement measures and renewable technologies can contribute to the carbon saving agenda. It covers RdSAP conventions as part of this, but the course does not give you the ability to produce EPCs.
- Being A Professional
Assessment
Once the training is complete, you will then produce a portfolio of evidence for assessment. This will include 10 condition reports so that you can demonstrate your technical knowledge, as well as written tasks to assess your business and interpersonal skills. This is followed by a multiple-choice examination.
How long does it take?
The training takes 14 months, and once this is complete you move onto assessment. The assessment should take around 12 months to complete.
Trainer expertise
The training is delivered by leading surveying practitioners – many of whom deliver training for RICS and have written much of the industry guidance and text books that are used on the Diploma.
How much study do I need to undertake?
This depends on the relevance of your past work experience and your individual learning style. Most learners dedicate minimum 10 -15 hours each week to study.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no formal requirements for entry onto this qualification. However, learners should be able to demonstrate English Writing, Mathematics and IT skills comprehension at a level equivalent to an A-C GCSE.
Who is the qualification designed for?
The diploma is designed for those who wish to develop robust surveying skills, undertake residential condition surveys and gain knowledge of residential construction and building pathology. It is ideal for those looking to work independently without RICS membership, those who are already a member of RICS or CABE but qualified through a different pathway e.g. commercial property or building control, and those looking to utilise their residential building surveying skills within the social housing sector.
What is a residential surveyor?
A residential surveyor (or residential building surveyor) deals with all aspects of residential property. Principal activities are surveying and valuing property as well as the management, purchase, sale, or leasing of land and property.
To find out more about the exciting role of a residential surveyor, visit our Careers & Rewards section.
Course Fees
Developing yourself and advancing your career is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying is not just a course, it’s an investment in your future, propelling you into an exciting and fulfilling profession. The total cost of the diploma if you pay upfront is £10,945 (inc. VAT). We have also created some pay monthly options to give as much flexibility as possible, and finance is also available.
Click here to view the full pricing information.
Course Intakes
The majority of the diploma is delivered through virtual classrooms and online learning, with 8 face-to-face classroom days delivered at your chosen course location and a further 4 practical days delivered at our training properties in Milton Keynes.
The current intakes open for booking can be found below. Refreshments and lunch are provided on all face-to-face training days.
Kent
Training in Kent commenced with an Induction Day (virtual) on 9th July 2025, however, the course will remain open for enrolment until Friday 8th August, ready for the first technical training session on Wednesday 13th August. Anyone looking to join the course during this period will be sent a recorded induction to watch at their convenience before their first training day.
Venue details: Orida Hotel, Bearsted Road, Maidstone ME14 5AA
Contact us for course dates
Manchester
Training in Manchester will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 10th September 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: The Studio, The Hive, 51 Lever St. M1 1FN
Contact us for course dates
Milton Keynes
Training in Milton Keynes will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 24th September 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: Cranfield Management Development Centre (Cranfield University Campus), Cranfield, Wharley End, MK43 0HG
Contact us for course dates
London
Training in London will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 1st October 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: ETC Venues, 50-52 Chancery Lane, London, UK WC2A 1HL
Contact us for course dates
Birmingham
Training in Birmingham will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 22nd October 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: Conference Aston, Aston University, Aston St, Birmingham. B4 7ET
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Southampton
Training in Southampton will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 5th November 2025. 8 days are delivered face-to-face in the classroom, 4 are practical days which are held in Milton Keynes and the rest are held virtually.
Venue details: Holiday Inn, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9PG
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Download and read later
Our takeaway PDF contains a qualification overview and key information on becoming a residential building surveyor through our diploma.