ABBE Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying & Valuation

Do you have a passion for property and excel at problem solving? As a residential building surveyor, you'll use your detective skills to inspect people's homes for risks and defects, providing homebuyers, homeowners and housing providers essential information on property condition. From dampness and condensation to woodworm and structural movement, you'll use your knowledge to identify and diagnose the issues impacting housing in the UK.

If you are looking for a pathway into residential building surveying, the Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is a unique qualification giving those without a relevant degree the opportunity to join the profession in as little as 24 months. The diploma is approved for direct entry into the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) at Associate level, so you can begin working as a surveyor as soon as you are qualified.

• Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation - course overview - > download
• Residential Surveyor Training Guide - > download

The Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation is a Level 6 qualification, equivalent to a university degree in terms of academic rigour, and is overseen by the Awarding Body for the Built Environment (ABBE). It is approved for direct entry into the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), meaning you can gain AssocRICS membership as soon as you qualify, and start earning a living as a surveyor. It is also accredited by the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE).

The diploma is delivered part time through a blend of virtual classrooms, online learning and 12 face-to-face training days including practical property visits, meaning you can carry on working while you study.

Key features:

• You’ll be trained to undertake condition surveys (including RICS Level 2 Home Surveys) and residential valuations for banks and building societies. With experience, you can then become competent to carry out more complex Level 3 Surveys.
• There’s a high demand for surveying services across the UK and there’s limited supply of new surveyors entering the profession
• The diploma is well-respected in the industry, with some firms sponsoring learners through the programme
• A career in residential surveying offers great freedom and flexibility such as working independently or with an established firm
• It’s vocational, meaning you’re taught real life skills, so when you finish you’ll be job-ready with skills and a qualification that are sought-after by surveying firms across the UK
• You'll gain a deep understanding of residential construction, pathology and valuation – essential skills that are desperately needed to look after the UK’s 29 million residential properties

Training and Assessment

The diploma is a vocationally related qualification, meaning it gives you the skills and knowledge to be a well-rounded residential surveyor. The diploma is delivered in two parts – training and assessment.

Training lasts for 12 months and includes a mix of online self-directed learning, virtual classroom sessions (two per month) with a trainer and your cohort, and 12 face-to-face sessions.

Once training is complete, you will then enter an assessment period which lasts for 6 - 18 months, depending on how much time you dedicate to your assessment tasks.

On qualification, you will be ready to enter the world of residential surveying and valuation and embark on your new and rewarding career in the property industry.

The course teaches you everything you need to become a competent residential surveyor with no previous experience required. We have seen Sava graduates join the course from a range of backgrounds including teaching, trade, estate agency and hairdressing.

Hear from some of our graduates:

"I worked in estate agency but wanted something more that would give some longevity to my career, so I decided to make the transition over into surveying. Both financially and in my general life, it's been a game-changer, it really has." ~ Natasha Palczuk, ex-estate agent

"I had a house and a family, and I couldn't afford a drop in pay. It was great to be able to complete the course alongside my career in the Army." ~ Lee Dowdall, ex-military

"I love the fact that no two days are the same and, unlike most office jobs, you get a mix of working in the office and getting out and about. I prefer not being stuck at my desk all day and I enjoy the driving element, so as a profession it ticks all the boxes for me." ~ Max Cattle, school leaver

"When I first qualified, I found employment with a firm and found myself finishing early and playing golf a lot! Since starting my own company, golf has taken a bit of a backseat but I get the flexibility of controlling my own workload and choosing how many surveys I do." ~ Neil Trewick, ex-teacher

There are no formal requirements for entry onto this qualification; however, we recommend that you possess a good understanding of English, Mathematics and IT skills at an equivalent standard to GCSE level C.

On qualification, our learners have many options. Some choose to become independent surveyors, some set up their own firms and others join smaller firms or large corporates. Many will join the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Salaries vary depending on location and services offered. The average base salary of a Sava graduate after 3 years is £61k, with many earning more.

ABBE Level 6 Diploma in Residential Surveying and Valuation

Digital certificate - Included