Admin, HR, legal

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

University

You can do a higher national diploma, foundation degree or degree in a subject like:

• building studies
• civil engineering
• structural engineering
• building control surveying
• building surveying

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could do a college course, which may help when you apply for trainee jobs as an assistant in building control.

Courses include:

• construction and the built environment
• building control surveying
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Building Control Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This can take around 4 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications

Direct application

You may be able to move into building control if you have qualifications and extensive experience in a related area, such as construction management, structural or civil engineering, or surveying.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join a professional body to help with your career development. These include:Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Chartered Institute of Building; Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Membership of a professional body may also be a requirement laid down by employers when advertising jobs.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in building control from:Chartered Institute of Building; Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Local Authority Building Control

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could become a senior building control officer and lead a dedicated team.

You might specialise in a particular area of regulation, for example:fire risk assessment; sustainability; construction design

You may find further opportunities to move into related fields, like town planning, with local authorities.

You could also work as a self-employed consultant.