Real Estate Apprenticeships
If you’ve ever sat in front of your laptop watching luxury home tours on YouTube and thought to yourself, “I can do that”, — a real estate apprenticeship is the perfect career choice.
Even if you don’t want to sell homes, there are multiple doors to unlock within the property world.
The real estate industry is worth some mega coins. With a turnover of around £100 billion a year, there are over 100,000 real estate businesses in the UK, totalling a mammoth 1.2 million employees.
So there’s a lot of room for fresh talent, like yourself.
Keen to lay the foundations for a career in real estate? Read on to find out more about real estate apprenticeships and where to find them
What is a real estate apprenticeship?
Real estate apprenticeships give young people a set of keys to a career in property that doesn’t involve studying five days a week at university.
Apprentices get hired as full-time employees to take on daily tasks for a company, while working towards the qualifications they’ll need to be able to work in the real estate and property industry.
Plus, there’s money to be made. All apprentices earn a salary and receive benefits like paid holidays (annual leave), mental health support and discounts.
For example, Savills offer several apprenticeships including…
Junior Estate Agency
Surveying
Planning
Data Analyst
Data Communication
The real estate titan is committed to providing young people with the training, experience and support to build a fulfilling career in real estate. So it’s no surprise that they came 8th in our Best 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
A typical week during an apprenticeship is five full working days in the office from 9am to 5:30pm, with one day dedicated to study.
Want to know what a day looks like for a Real Estate Agent? YouTuber and Agent Bart takes us through his day in this video...
What are the real estate sectors?
The world of real estate is divided into three main sectors...
Residential Real Estate
The residential sector focuses on the sale of homes and non-professional spaces.
The usual properties you’ll find here are houses, apartments, residential developments (flats, estates, redevelopments) and more.
Commercial Real Estate
This sector is all about properties used for business purposes.
The most common properties you’ll find in this sector are office spaces, shopping centres, hotels, department stores, shops (retail spaces), restaurants, museums and hospitals/medical centres. (Imagine being able to sell a building like Selfridges or Harrods!)
Industrial Real Estate
The industrial sector is for properties used in production/manufacturing and can often fall under the commercial sector.
These properties include the likes of factories, plants and warehouses.
FUN FACT: One of the UK's most successful real estate agents is Daniel Daggers - also known as Mr Super Prime. He’s sold over a STAGGERING £4bn in property, including record-breaking deals on some of the UK’s most expensive homes.
Types of real estate apprenticeships
If reenacting scenes from Selling Sunset isn’t your cup of chai latte, there’s so much more to get stuck into.
The real estate and property industry is hugely diverse, and it would be criminal to think that a real estate apprenticeship is only about selling homes.
You can do an apprenticeship in several different roles within the real estate industry, including…
Technical Engineering
Data Analytics
Chartered Surveying
Housing/Property Management
Marketing, Sales and PR
Accountancy.
""I thoroughly enjoy the programme. It caters to my skillset and allows me to get the best out of myself as well as for the business. I always knew that an apprenticeship would make the most sense for me and it has paid dividends so early in my career."" Commercial Real Estate Consultant, Savills
What qualifications do you get as a real estate apprentice?
Every apprenticeship comes with a national qualification recognised by all the real estate head honchos.
These qualifications will also make sure that you’re trained on and understand the industry’s standards. They’re a bit like the 10 commandments of the real estate world. You’ll become a trusted employee allowing you to work anywhere.
The type of qualification you work towards will depend on the area and level of apprenticeship you do. If, for example, you’re doing a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Housing/Property Management, you’ll work towards a Level 3 CIH (Chartered Institute of Housing) certificate.
You’ll also become a CIH member, which is free for students studying a CIH accredited course or on an apprenticeship, and receive the following benefits…
Access to free events and webinars
Online training and digital resources
Mentoring.
When you search for a real estate apprenticeship, you’ll notice that each one is accredited by several institutions and professional bodies - all of which come with some form of membership.
These institutions are the Soho Houses of the property world. Securing membership comes with exclusive credentials, industry recognition and professional networks galore. They are…
RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)
UKALA (UK Association of Letting Agents)
IRPM (Institute of Residential Property Management).
How much can I earn as a real estate apprentice?
The minimum wage for an apprenticeship is £5.28 an hour. However, many employers pay a lot more than that. In fact, an apprentice can earn as much as £23,000 per year. That’ll go a long way towards that bubble tea addiction…
If you’re looking to become a Real Estate Agent, you could earn a starting salary of £19,000 and earn as much as £40,000 plus commission when you’re more experienced (or £6bn if you’re Daniel Daggers).
A Quantity Surveyor earns a starting wage of £25,000 with the potential to earn up to £80,000, whilst the average Property Manager salary is £30,312 a year.
In short, there’s real money to be made.
""I have developed my academic writing, ability to talk with clients, and excel/powerpoint skills. In addition, I have learned fire safety skills, and improved my sustainability and D&I awareness. I have also learned valuation methods. 20% of my week is spent at university where I am studying real estate."" Apprentice Surveyor, Savills
What level of apprenticeship should I do?
It all depends on the qualifications and experience you already have. There are multiple levels of apprenticeship to choose from, so it’s best to do your research to ensure you’re picking the right one.
Let’s break it down (with examples!)...
Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2)
The first step on the career ladder is an intermediate apprenticeship. Designed for students with two or more GCSEs graded at levels 9 to 4 (A* to C), they last between 12 and 18 months and are equivalent to five GCSEs.
Junior Estate Agent Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship length: 12-16 months
Salary: £10,118 – £15,000 a year
Tasks include:
Valuing properties
Preparing floor plans
Organising and conducting property viewings.
Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3)
An advanced apprenticeship is the intermediate’s slightly older, wiser sibling. The entry requirements are five GCSEs graded at levels 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent.
Apprentices work towards gaining a Level 3 NVQ and a professional qualification. Advanced apprenticeships take up to 18 months and are equivalent to two A-Levels.
Apprentice Property Manager
Apprenticeship length: 18 months
Salary: £12,800 a year
Tasks include:
Checking all property certificates (gas safety, electricity and water)
Dealing with leasehold enquiries
Ensuring properties are managed as smoothly as possible.
Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4/5)
These are designed for those over 18 or who have completed an advanced apprenticeship. On a higher apprenticeship, you’ll typically work for 30 hours per week while studying for a qualification equivalent to a higher national diploma or foundation degree.
Conveyancing Technician
Apprenticeship length: 12 months
Salary: £16,000 - £17,000 a year
Tasks include:
Dealing with legal matters relating to the transfer of ownership of land or property from a seller to a buyer
Supporting with caseloads
Legal advice.
""I enjoyed the challenge that the job role brings every day, with every day offering a different challenge. I really enjoy carrying out inspections on a wide range of property types, ages, and styles which provides me with excellent exposure to further my knowledge base and experience. I also enjoy the culture at Savills where there is a large diversity of people and skillset meaning support and guidance are never far away when required."" Graduate Apprentice Building Surveyor
Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6/7)
The big boss of apprenticeships. You’ll get all the benefits of doing a bachelor’s or master’s degree without all the debt — and you’ll earn a salary on top of that.
Degree apprenticeships offer 18-19-year-olds an alternative to university after A-levels. They’re also the natural next step after a higher apprenticeship.
Real Estate Chartered Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship length: 5 years
Avg Salary: £18,000 - £20,000 a year
Modules include:
Construction technology
Law for Surveyors
Rental valuation
Business and professional development
Commercial real estate appraisal
Can I become an architect with a real estate apprenticeship?
While real estate and architecture are close relatives, you’d need to do an apprenticeship in architecture to become an architect.
So if becoming the next Antoni Gaudí is on your vision board, read on.
Architecture apprenticeships are only available as degree apprenticeships, and entry requirements vary between training providers and employers.
However, to qualify, you’ll need at least…
a CV
a portfolio
qualifications equivalent to five or more GCSEs and three A Levels
and if you’re looking at a level 7 apprenticeship, you’ll need to already have an ARB (Architects Registration Board) awarded Part 1 qualification or Part 1 equivalent
The Royal Institute of British Architects has much more information about architecture apprenticeships.
So, is real estate right for you?
That’s a question only you can answer. However, it’s always good to hear from students who have taken a leap into the industry.
RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk is home to over 40,000 reviews, across a vast range of sectors. Browsing these reviews is a great way to gain insight into a company and wider industry.
Why not have a read? They’re super helpful.
Read Real Estate ApprenticeshipsIf you’re ready to start building the blocks of your career, start your search for real estate and property apprenticeships right now.
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