When people hear “real estate,” they often just think of estate agents or building sites. But the real estate industry is way bigger and more exciting than that.

It’s about creating, improving, managing, and protecting the places where we all live, work, shop, eat, and play; from city centres to rural farms. And it takes a huge mix of different skills and jobs to make it all happen.

Here’s a breakdown of the main areas of work you’ll find in real estate, and the types of careers available in each. For each area, there are a range of routes available, from apprenticeships to graduate programmes. 

Urban Design, Development and Planning

This is where ideas turn into real places. It’s about shaping towns, cities, and communities.

• Development: Finding land, getting planning permission, managing risk, and turning ideas into buildings or communities
• Planning: Working with councils, architects and communities to make sure places are built in the right way, and for the right reasons
• Urban Design: Designing how places feel, from walkable streets to green spaces

Roles include: Planner, Development Surveyor, Urban Designer

Building and Construction

Once a project is approved, someone has to make sure it’s built properly, safely, and on time.

• Building Surveying: Inspecting buildings, spotting problems (like damp or structural issues), and advising on repairs and upgrades
• Project Management: Coordinating the whole build - deadlines, teams, costs
• Quantity Surveying: Managing the costs of a project, from materials to labour

Roles include: Building Surveyor, Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor

Valuation and Capital Markets

Understanding how much commercial properties are worth and helping people invest in them - think shopping centres, office towers and even entire portfolios.

• Valuation: Figuring out and advising clients on the value of shops, offices, flats, land, etc.
• Capital Markets: Helping big clients buy, sell, or invest in real estate
• Investment Analysis: Using data to help clients make smart financial decisions

Roles include: Valuation Surveyor, Capital Markets Analyst, Investment Analyst

Commercial Property

Managing and advising clients on spaces like offices, shops, hotels and industrial sites.

• Agency: Helping businesses, institutions or individuals, lease, sell or acquire buildings
• Leasing & Transactions: Negotiating deals between landlords and tenants
• Property Management & Facilities Management: Looking after buildings day-to-day; repairs, tenants, budgets
• Advisory & Consulting: Helping clients with their real estate needs and business strategies

Roles include: Commercial Surveyor, Property Manager (Surveyor), Facilities Manager, Asset Manager, Consultant

Rural, Food and Farming

Yes, rural land and agriculture are part of real estate too. You could be working with estates, food producers, agricultural businesses, or renewable energy projects on farmland.

• Rural Surveying: Managing farmland, estates, and countryside projects
• Food & Farming Consultancy: Advising farmers and landowners on how to run land sustainably and profitably
• Forestry Consultancy

Roles include: Rural Surveyor, Food and Farming Consultant, Forestry Consultant

Sustainability and Energy

Making buildings and developments better for the planet (and for people). Consultants in this space help clients cut carbon, save energy, and meet sustainability goals. You might model building performance or advise on retrofits.

• Energy Consulting: Helping buildings use less energy and meet climate targets
• Sustainability Strategy: Planning greener developments, reducing carbon footprints, and working on biodiversity
• Engineering Consultancy

Roles include: Energy Consultant, ESG Analyst, Sustainability Advisor/Consultant, Engineering Consultant

Residential Property

Still part of the picture - but broader than just estate agents.

• Affordable Housing & Social Impact: Helping build homes for all income levels
• Residential Valuation: Working out what homes are worth for lenders or investors
• Build-to-Rent & New Homes: Creating and managing purpose-built rental communities

Roles include: Residential Surveyor, Affordable Housing Analyst/Surveyor, Development Surveyor

Core Business Functions

Real estate isn’t just about property, it’s also big business. That means every firm needs talented people in core business functions to help everything run smoothly.

• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing and Communications
• Human Resources
• Legal and Compliance
• IT and Operations
• Research Analysis

Roles include: Finance Analyst, Marketing Assistant, HR Coordinator, Legal Intern, Business Analyst, Research Analyst