Over the years, I have supported and assessed a large number of APC candidates. One thing has become very clear: no two APC journeys are ever the same. Some candidates are graduates at the beginning of their careers. Others have decades of experience and are seeking professional recognition later in their working lives. Some work for large global consultancies, while others operate within small practices or specialist organisations. Each candidate brings a unique set of exper

Within the surveying and construction industry, one of the most common misunderstandings is the difference between AssocRICS and MRICS. Many people assume it is simply a case of “junior versus senior.” In reality, the distinction is far more professional and competency-based than that. The key difference lies in the depth of technical competence, professional judgement, and responsibility expected by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Understanding the RICS

This week’s post has been inspired by a candidate who recalled Ronan Point collapse, and the experiences of someone close to them who was involved in the investigation following the partial collapse. When most people hear the term forensic engineering, they imagine collapsed buildings, disaster sites, and investigators working through debris. It is a discipline strongly associated with failure. But that view is incomplete. In reality, forensic structural engineering is not on

When working towards your MRICS, your Summary of Experience (SOE) is more than just a record of what you’ve done—it’s how you demonstrate your competence in a way that assessors can clearly understand and evaluate. A common issue is not lack of experience, but how that experience is communicated. The difference between a pass and a referral often comes down to structure, clarity, and the language used across the three competency levels defined by the Royal Institution of Char

In today’s competitive construction and property industries, standing out is more important than ever. One way professionals are strengthening their credibility and accelerating their careers is by achieving AssocRICS —the Associate level qualification awarded by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). But what exactly makes AssocRICS so valuable, and is it the right move for you? What Is AssocRICS? AssocRICS is a globally recognised professional qualification de

The MRICS final assessment is a significant milestone in any surveying professional’s career. One of the most important components is the 10-minute presentation delivered to the assessment panel. While it may sound straightforward, this short window is your opportunity to clearly demonstrate your competence, professionalism, and readiness to achieve chartered status. We are pleased to confirm that we can support candidates in preparing effectively—helping you approach the pre

For candidates working towards chartership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the MRICS Final Assessment represents a significant professional milestone. It’s the final step in demonstrating that you have the competencies, judgement, and ethical grounding expected of a chartered surveyor. While the process can feel daunting, understanding the structure of the interview is key to approaching it with confidence. What is the MRICS Final Assessment? The MRICS Fina

Receiving a referral following your Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors assessment can be tough. After months of preparation, the result can feel discouraging—especially when accompanied by detailed feedback on where you didn’t meet the required standard. Before anything else, it’s important to pause and consider your well-being. Put Your Wellbeing First A referral is not just a professional setback—it can feel personal. Reading a report that focuses on gaps or weaknesse

We are delighted to share that another one of our candidates has successfully achieved AssocRICS status. This latest success comes from a valuation candidate who has worked diligently through the process, demonstrating commitment and professionalism throughout their journey. At times, we work in partnership with other organisations to support candidates in reaching their professional goals. In this case, our partner shared some wonderful feedback about the experience, noting

The social housing sector is undergoing a significant transformation. Following the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 and the lessons from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the UK Government has introduced the Competence and Conduct Standard (2025) , aimed at ensuring that housing management staff are not only qualified but also professional, accountable, and capable of delivering high-quality services to residents. What the Standard Requires The Competence and Conduct Standard

We are delighted to celebrate another AssocRICS success within our candidate community. Our latest achievement comes from a Residential Property Management pathway candidate who has successfully achieved AssocRICS with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors — and did so at the first attempt. Like all of our candidates, she committed fully to the process. Balancing professional responsibilities alongside structured preparation is never easy, yet she approached the journe

Understanding housing policy is essential for any surveying professional. From legislation, planning, and social housing reforms to modern regulatory frameworks, UK housing policy has evolved significantly over the last 100 years — shaping the way we practice today. At Surveyor Store Ltd , we’ve created a handy overview to help professionals and APC candidates understand this history and its implications for practice. Key Milestones in Housing Policy 1. Early 20th Century: He

In today’s fast-moving professional environment, technical ability alone is no longer enough. Whether you are leading a team, managing a project, or influencing stakeholders, understanding leadership theory gives you a strategic advantage. Leadership is not one single style. It is a combination of approaches applied depending on context, people, and objectives. The Evolution of Leadership Thinking Early thinking such as the Great Man Theory suggested that leaders are born wi

We are pleased that another one of our candidates achieved MRICS on their first attempt. We used to say to Darrell that you are constrained, as you only have us. But he said I am happy with the support that I have. We are pleased that he passed the first time. Well done to RICS for getting his result to him early. For RICS candidate support services, you can request to book a Teams meeting here. #RICS #RICScandidatesupport #MRICSsuccess #MRICS #AssocRICS

Understanding Contract Law: A Core Skill for Future Chartered Surveyors Contract law underpins almost every professional decision made in the built environment. From appointment documents and construction contracts to consultant agreements and variations, surveyors are expected to understand not just what a contract says, but whether it is legally enforceable . For students and APC candidates, contract law can feel abstract. However, when broken down into its core elements,

Introduction Not all square metres in a shop are worth the same — and that simple fact sits at the heart of retail valuation. In high street and market town locations, the value of retail property is driven not just by size, but by how that space functions. Frontage, depth, visibility and customer flow all influence trading performance. To reflect this reality, valuers use an established method known as zoning , with values expressed in In Terms of Zone A (ITZA) . This articl

It has only been four weeks since I first started working with an aspiring Chartered Surveyor, and this week they are submitting their AssocRICS application ahead of the 13 January deadline. When we first met in early December, we talked about their vision for setting up and growing their surveying business. Over the past month, they have told me our conversations made them rethink their approach—and the progress they made is good. I did not expect to see such an impact, and

We have been helping aspiring Associate RICS members prepare their Summary of Experience (SoE) and Case Study submissions, turning complex requirements into clear, actionable guidance. The UK submission deadline is next week. Our new AssocRICS Submission Guide streamlines the process, helping candidates demonstrate competence, professionalism, and judgment—while giving clients confidence that they’re working with surveyors who truly understand the standards. If you are lookin

Hello everyone, This is a reminder to please check and make sure that you plan for your RICS submission dates. We are available over the seasonal closing period to help candidates meet their dates. A link to the RICS dates is here: https://www.rics.org/candidates/assessment-information/assessment-applications/uk . We are also pleased that another one of our candidates recently passed, and they are our successful candidate no. 12. Whilst writing, we would like to wish you a ha

We are pleased that another one of our candidates passed. Candidate support services by Surveyor Store Ltd. Sarah Chaudhry MBA FRICS Director Surveyor Store Ltd 07521 085400 sarah.chaudhry@surveyorstore.co.uk