Rural Practice

Rural practice surveyors provide practical and strategic knowledge to clients involved in rural land and property. This type of surveying shares many skills and activities with real estate, but its focus is on the maintenance and enhancement of a healthy rural environment and the functioning of a vibrant rural economy.

Practice Area Rural Practice
Introduction Whist rural practice surveyors will be expected to have a broad base of knowledge, they may also become specialists in areas including agriculture, auctioneering and valuation, forestry, property management and environmental issues.
What skills are required?
  • Excellent communication skills such as negotiation, tact and diplomacy
  • The ability to work well with a wide range of clients and stakeholders
  • Commercial and business awareness
  • A passion and understanding of rural issues and a genuine interest in the countryside
  • Some numeracy skills, such as the ability to analyse and present statistical information
  • Problem solving
  • Team working
What qualifications are required? A non-cognate or RICS accredited degree is often required, with most surveyors working towards chartered status with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
What is it like in practice?

Rural practice surveyors can work in the public sector, in private practice or directly for corporate or private landowners. The job can be varied, and include estate management, where you might manage a team of estate employees, landlord and tenant matters, valuations, advising on specialist areas such a rural grants, strategic planning and the selling, buying and marketing of rural assets.

These can include farms, residential properties, sporting rights, rights of way and access, forestry, industrial units and workshops

Usual office hours apply, although some flexibility will be required as you will need to fit in with your client and some weekend working may be required too.

You can expect to travel around the geographical area you work in and have a full driving licence.
Work Environment Split between office and travel to and in the estate or region. You may be outside a great deal and in all weathers.
Employment opportunities

Larger firms recruit graduates on to graduate development programmes. Smaller firms recruit all year round.

Whilst many students have an RICS accredited degree, there are opportunities for non-cognate graduates to join a firm and study for a property qualification whilst working.

There are also degree apprenticeships in real estate surveying available which can lead to work in rural practice.
More information

Visit RICS (opens new window)

Visit Prospects (opens new window)
Relevant UCEM programmes

BSc Real Estate Management

MSc Real Estate

MBA Construction and Real Estate

You might like this role if you enjoy:

  • Working with different people such as clients, colleagues, tenants, businesses and the general public
  • Applying business and strategy skills in the rural environment

See more skills used by rural practice surveyors:

  • Researching and explaining data
  • Using verbal and written communication skills
  • Doing deals and making transactions
  • People management and leadership

References:

 

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