Built Environment
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When people think about the Built Environment they often think of the ‘trades’ (Carpentry/ Bricklaying, Plumbing etc). You may also think about the buying and selling of houses — but the industry is so much bigger than that. From surveying and town planning to investment and development, property is a diverse field that touches everything from city skylines to rural landscapes.
Property is a career that combines analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and problem-solving with the chance to make a real impact on how we live and work. At its core working in property and the built environment is about managing and developing land and buildings to make sure they meet financial, legal, and environmental requirements. Depending on your skills and interests, you could find yourself:
- Surveying properties - checking their condition, valuing them, or managing large rural estates.
- Getting into property development & investment - spotting opportunities, managing projects, and working with investors.
- Shaping towns and cities through planning - balancing housing, transport, and sustainability with economic growth.
- Managing estates and consultancy work - helping landlords and investors get the most out of their properties.
- Working in estate agency & valuation - buying, selling, and advising clients on property values.
- Overseeing facilities & asset management - keeping buildings safe, efficient, and compliant.
Technological advancements, sustainability, and global opportunity are some of the other reasons to consider this sector:
- Technological advancements - the integration of AI, VR, drones, and Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction and surveying is revolutionizing the industry. These innovations make the work more efficient, and as a result, professionals are in high demand.
- Sustainability - climate change is a global challenge, and the Built Environment is at the forefront of finding sustainable solutions to reduce energy consumption, recycle materials, and create green spaces, shaping how buildings are used, maintained, and improved to make them greener, safer, and more efficient.
- Global opportunities - as urban populations grow, infrastructure development is a priority across the world. Whether in emerging economies or established cities, professionals in this sector are sought after everywhere.
- Societal contribution - graduates entering this sector are making a visible impact and a tangible contribution to society in the form of sustainable homes, schools, offices, and leisure spaces.
Most graduates start out in junior roles such as trainee surveyor, property analyst, or assistant estate manager. With experience, you can move into consultancy, investment management, or even senior planning roles. Whether you’re interested in commercial, residential, or industrial property, there are roles across the UK and internationally.
To work in this sector professional accreditation is key. Many surveying and property roles require Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) status, which you can work toward through accredited degrees and the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). Town planners usually look to the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), while estate agents often pursue qualifications from Propertymark.
If you’re fascinated by skyscrapers, rural estates, or sustainable city planning, there’s a path here that can fit your interests. For further information read Property Graduate Career Profile, Property Careers | GRB
If you are interested in this area of work, these sectors might also be of interest to you:
If you would like to do further research into this sector, the following webpages may be useful.
- Overview of the UK's property and construction industry | Prospects.ac.uk
- Careers in construction (Go Construct)
- Construction and property (target jobs)
- Built Environment | Modus | RICS useful reading to learn more about the challenges facing the Built environment and links to more industry wide data
- RTPI support planners at every stage of their career: raising professional standards, shaping planning policy, and proudly awarding chartered status, the highest professional accreditation in UK planning
- Who We Are | CIOB Learn more about the Chartered Institute for Building
- How can students get a job in construction? | CIOB
- Propertymark is the leading professional body for property agents.
Making contacts is essential for success in this and other sectors. Many jobs in this field come through networking and speculative applications. You could start by speaking with the experts – find out what they did after graduation and contact them for advice.
To help increase your networks who may also be able to suggest ways to build experiences look at:
- Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.
- Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period.
Recruitment fairs, careers fairs, open days, talks, and events give insights and opportunities to make contacts. Attend events to hear directly from professionals in the industry. For details of future events visit Handshake. If you have not yet activated your account, select the Single Sign On (SSO) option and follow the onscreen instructions. Other industry events of interest include:
According to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) | CIOB, of all construction staff in the UK: only 14% are women, with up to 2% in on-site roles; only 6% are from Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities; and only 6% declare a disability. In mid-2022, six leading professional membership bodies from across the built environment sector launched a 45-point action plan to jointly promote equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
This includes:
- The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
- The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
- The Landscape Institute (LI)
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
- The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)
To learn more, read Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories | CIOB
To find out the policies and attitudes of employers that you are interested in, explore their equality and diversity policies and see if they offer Disability Confident Employer Scheme or are recognised for their policy by such indicators as Mindful Employer or as a Stonewall’s Diversity Champion.
The UK law protects you from discrimination due to your age, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual orientation and more. For further information on the Equality Act and to find out where and how you are protected, as well as information on what you need to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, visit the Government’s webpages on discrimination.
To learn more about how to share details of a disability with an employer and the support you can receive applying for jobs and work experience visit our equality and diversity page.
Action
Explore roles in the sector by visiting the areas of work below. Each area covers typical duties and responsibilities, entry requirements, key skills required, professional development opportunities and links to finding both work experience and graduate roles.
