Design & planning

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 relevant 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 could help when you apply for trainee jobs in building control. Courses include:

• Level 3 Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
• T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 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 do a building control surveyor degree apprenticeship.

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
• higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships

Direct application

You could move into building control from another job in construction, like quantity surveying or site management.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• have a full driving licence

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join one a professional body to help with your professional development, including:Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; The Chartered Institute of Building; Chartered Association of Building Engineers

Further information

You can find out more about careers and training in building control from:The Chartered Institute of Building; Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; Local Authority Building Control

With experience, you could specialise in a particular area like fire safety, or move into technical and planning roles in other departments, for example town planning.

You could also work as a consultant.