An historic partnership agreement will today (Thursday, January 11) be formalised between the University of Aberdeen and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
The signing of the agreement means that students of the University’s Land Economy Department will be exempted from the written exams of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute, provided they take the necessary selection of courses.
Professor Mark Shucksmith, Head of the Department of Land Economy, described this dual accreditation as ‘almost unique’, and said that it would confer an important advantage on graduates, making the department highly attractive to potential students.
“The RICS is now entering into partnership with only the best academic institutions – those with the best students, the best research and teaching ratings, and the best record of graduate employment. The University of Aberdeen is proud to be one of this elite group,” he said.
“This Department is aware that the property professions are changing rapidly and that we must continue to innovate and to act strategically in order to maintain our reputation. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the RICS in the future towards this common objective. The new partnership commits both parties to maintaining these high standards and to work together to attract the brightest school leavers into the surveying profession in the future.”
The Department of Land Economy at the University of Aberdeen has been, for over 25 years, one of the leading surveying schools in the world. This reputation and standing has been built on its long-standing relationship with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, as well as on its expertise in teaching and research.
Graduates from the University’s Department of Land Economy have since the 1970s been exempted from the professional exams of the RICS, qualifying them to practice as professional chartered surveyors after a further two years’ professional practice. This has led them into a wide variety of careers, advising on property investment, managing retail and office developments, valuing properties, factoring estates, promoting nature conservation, working in government, and facilitating urban and rural regeneration.
Professor Peter Sloane, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, emphasised the importance of close links with the professions.
“The Department of Land Economy is recognised by employers as one of the top surveying schools and one of the top planning schools in the UK, with accreditation for its courses from both the RICS and the RTPI, as well as a deservedly high reputation for its research performance. This reflects its distinctive inter-disciplinary philosophy which embraces all aspects of the management of urban and rural change.”
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.