Qualification overview
The Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is the only vocational route to becoming a residential building surveyor. It is a Level 6, degree-equivalent qualification overseen by the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE) and enables those without a relevant degree or experience to train as residential surveyors and property valuers. It’s approved for Direct Entry into the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)* meaning you can join RICS as an Associate member and start earning as a surveyor as soon as you are qualified. The diploma is also accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).
Key features
- You’ll be able to undertake RICS Home Survey, valuations and other condition surveys, or utilise your residential surveying skills within organisations such as housing providers to identify risks and defects
- There’s a high demand for surveying services across the UK and a limited supply of new residential surveyors
- A career in residential surveying offers great freedom and flexibility such as working for yourself, with an established firm or with housing organisations
- It’s vocational, meaning you’re taught real-life skills – so when you finish you’ll be ready to start your career and, if working independently, start earning fees
- Gain a deep understanding of residential construction, building pathology and valuation – essential skills that are desperately needed to look after the UK’s 29 million residential properties
- Study is part-time and can be undertaken in 24 months, so you can complete it whilst continuing to work in your current role.
Qualification summary
Qualification type:
Level 6 Qualification
Duration:
24-30 months
Awarding body:
Ofqual regulated through the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (part of Birmingham City University)
Study method:
Part-time blended learning including a mix of virtual classrooms, online learning and face-to-face sessions
Outcome:
Eligible for direct entry to RICS via the Associate Residential Survey and Valuation pathway* and accredited by CABE
Learning credits:
80
Qualification details
Everything you need to know about our residential building surveyor training:
The diploma is a vocational qualification, meaning it gives you the skills and knowledge to be a well-rounded residential building surveyor.
Scroll down for an overview of training and assessment or alternatively download our more in-depth Residential Surveyor Training Guide for a complete look at the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation and more information about the profession.
Training
Training is delivered part-time over 15 months via a mix of virtual classrooms, online learning and face-to-face sessions at locations around the country.
Assessment
You will need to complete a portfolio for assessment. This includes 10 condition reports and valuations so that you can demonstrate your technical knowledge, as well as written tasks to assess your business and interpersonal skills. It is through this assessment stage that you demonstrate that you have the skills and knowledge to be a residential building surveyor. After this, there are 2 multiple-choice examinations.
How long does it take?
Our residential building surveyor training is delivered over 15 months. The assessment phase starts 11 months into the qualification and takes between 12-18 months to complete (learner dependent).
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 textbooks that are used on the diploma. You can read more about our trainers here.
How much study do I need to undertake to become a residential building surveyor?
This depends on the relevance of your past work experience and your individual learning style. Most learners dedicate 10-15 hours each week to studying.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no formal requirements for entry onto this qualification. However, we recommend that you possess a good understanding of English Writing, Mathematics and IT skills at an equivalent standard to GCSE level C.
Who is the qualification designed for?
The course teaches you everything you need to become a competent residential building surveyor with no previous experience. It is, therefore, suitable for anyone to undertake; however, a background in the property or construction industry would be an advantage.
*The Sava diploma is eligible for Direct Entry to RICS at Associate Level. RICS require individuals to demonstrate an equivalent to one year’s full-time experience which can be gained concurrently whilst undertaking the diploma.Relevant experience can include a wide range of activities such as working with a practicing surveyor or in estate or letting agency, property management, construction, energy, or sustainability. Experience that you gain whilst on the diploma programme also counts towards this one year’s equivalent experience. In addition, not all the experience is required to be technical in nature, and therefore experience you have outside of property may also be relevant. Our course advisers are here to talk to you about your own circumstances and background and how they might fit in with this criteria, please call us on 01908 442158 to discuss.
Course modules:
1. Induction
Introduction to the course, meeting the team, systems overview. Introduction to key learning and surveying skills.
2. Being A Professional
This module discusses everything it means to be a professional residential building surveyor and introduces ethics, client care, communication, regulation, and professional conduct. It covers conflict avoidance, management, and dispute resolution procedures.
3. 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.
4. 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. This module also includes the importance of keeping property records and data management and introduces health and safety.
5. Valuation
These modules provide the fundamental knowledge and understanding to complete RICS-compliant valuations of residential properties. The content takes you through valuation from an introduction to the concept of ‘what is value’, the process required in valuing a property using the comparable method, macro and micro economic factors that affect value and understanding the legal and regulatory requirements embedded in this subject area. The approach is practical and includes the use of lender guidance, recording of relevant data used in the valuation process and using supporting software to help determine the property value. A range of specialist valuation methods in Residual, New Build and Investment are also included.
6. Investigating Residential Property – Case Study Properties
These modules 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Consistent Report Writing
This module looks in detail at how to report findings to clients and the importance of client care. It covers the production and distribution of condition reports, the duty to the client and principles of good report writing.
10. Investigating Residential Property – Practical Days
The practical days are site visits to a range of real properties to carry out a full inspection and gain experience as a residential building surveyor. This is then followed by a detailed analysis of your 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. The practical sessions will be followed by an overview day to ensure you develop a robust inspection technique to carry forward into your new residential surveying career.
11. 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.
12. 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.
Once training and assessment are complete, you will have achieved an industry-recognised qualification enabling you to competently practise as a residential building surveyor.
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 and Valuation is not just a course, it’s an investment in your future, propelling you into an exciting and fulfilling profession.
For course fees and payment options, head to our dedicated Course Fees page.
Course Dates:
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 days.
Training in Southampton commenced with an Induction Day (virtual) on 11th December 2024; however, the course will remain open for late enrolment until Wednesday 8th January 2025 with the first technical session set to take place on 10th January 2025. Learners enrolling late will receive a recorded induction to watch before attending their training.
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
Click here to view Course DatesTraining in Milton Keynes will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 19th February 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.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 24th December 2024.
Training in Manchester will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 12th March 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.
Early bird discount of £500 off course fees available until 17th January 2025.
Venue details: The Hive, 51 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1FN
What3Words: face.ally.beard
Click here to view course datesTraining in Bristol will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 15th April 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: Novotel Bristol Centre, Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6HY
Click here to view course datesTraining in London will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 21st May 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
Click here to view course datesTraining in Leeds will commence with an Induction Day (virtual) on 4th June 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: TBC
Click here to view course dates
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Our take away PDF contains a qualification overview and key information…