the IQS ceased to exist.

With the transition from

examinations set by the RICS to degrees and diplomas,
the RICS’s role changed to one of an accrediting body. In
2001 the RICS radically revised its accreditation process
and introduced a ‘Partnership’ scheme for selected
universities, etc. The aims of the partnership
arrangements are to: • Maintain standards • Attract the
best entrants to the profession • Promote research •
Develop courses in response to the needs of the
profession and industry • Improve education/professional
links. One of the principal routes to becoming a member of
the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is: • By
obtaining a fi rst degree awarded by an RICS partnership
university. In the UK there are a number of higher
education establishments that offer 3, or 4 years in the
case of Scotland, degree courses • On completion of the fi
rst degree, the graduate then typically gains employment
in a private practice or contractor’s organisation with a
structured training framework. After a minimum of two
years of work experience the candidate applies to take the
Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) • The
purpose of the APC is to ensure that those applying for
RICS membership are competent to practice. It is
structured to provide a number of pathways to cover
nineteen different areas of practice. The APC for quantity
surveyors covers a number of mandatory, core and
optional competencies such as: o commercial
management of construction or design economics o
contract practice o construction technology and
environmental services o procurement and tendering o
project fi nancial control o quantifi cation and costing of
construction studies • If successful, the candidate may
apply for membership of the RICS (MRICS).
Approximately half of all entrants to the surveying
profession come via this route. Corporate membership is
at two levels; members and fellows. In 2002 RICS raised
the standards for its fellowship award to refl ect career
achievements. Normally only MRICS members with a
minimum of fi ve years service who are major achievers
will now be considered.
12 Quantity Surveyor’s Pocket Book
In addition to the fi rst degree route, in recent years a
number of other routes have become very popular. These
are: • Cognate and non-cognate degree courses available
in full-time, part-time and distance learning modes. These
courses are typically 2–3 years in duration and have been
developed to attract candidates who already have a fi rst
degree in a related (cognate) or unrelated (non-cognate)
subject area. These courses are intensive but have proved
to be very popular with almost 25% of all entrants to
surveying now coming from this route • Masters degrees
(MSc). There are a number of second degree courses
both full-, part-time and distance learning, that are
recognised by the RICS for entry to the institution and
enrolment to take the APC • In addition to the above
routes into the profession, the RICS encourages entry
from non-traditional routes and many higher education
establishments retain a number of places for candidates
who do not have any of the above traditional qualifi cations
• High National Diplomas and Certifi cates in a cognate
area with passes at a high level are also recognised as an
entry qualifi cation to an RICS fi rst degree course at
advanced level.
Tech RICS. For many years the RICS has been promoting
a ‘two tier’ profession, the lower technical tier being
provided by technicians or Tech RICS. One of the routes
leading to Tech RICS is through the completion of the
College of Estate Management’s Diploma in Surveying
Practice. Entry to the course is typically: • ‘A’ Level at
grade C or above in a relevant subject • HNC/HND in
relevant subjects (merits and distinctions recognised in the
fi nal award) • A relevant professional qualifi cation or at
least 10 years’ relevant experience in the property and
construction profession with evidence of 5 years’
appropriate structured learning (Level 1 module exemption
only). Tech RICS can be a route to full corporate
membership of the RICS.
Continuing professional development and lifelong learning
Since 1984 continuing professional development (CPD)
has been mandatory for all corporate members and is a
process by which practicing surveyors can keep pace with
the latest professional standards and practices whilst
monitoring current levels of knowledge.