Manchester Sandwich Student - Building Surveying (12-month Placement, 2026 Intake)

Colliers is a global leader in commercial real estate services, providing strategic solutions to occupiers, developers, and investors at local, national, and international levels. Our services include brokerage sales and leasing, real estate management, valuation, consulting, project management, project marketing, and research. We operate across core sectors such as office, industrial, retail, and hotel, as well as a range of specialised property types.

Colliers UK is headquartered in London, with over 1,200 professionals across 16 offices in the UK and Ireland.

Join our Project & Building Consultancy team and gain hands-on experience across commercial projects of varying size and complexity. You will support qualified surveyors with inspections, reporting and project tasks under close supervision, building evidence towards RICS competencies and developing core technical and commercial skills.

Our strengthened team across the UK has expertise in all areas of Commercial Project and Building Consultancy in our London Office. We are a fun, dynamic team offering fantastic placements for Sandwich Students. You would be involved in a broad range of activities for interesting clients and the opportunity to return as a graduate following the completion of your degree.

Our Emerging Talent Training Programme will provide you with a first-class platform from which to launch your career in Building Surveying. It has been designed to ensure that you are able to demonstrate the required level of knowledge, skills, and behaviours associated with becoming an RICS qualified Building Surveyor.

Main Responsibilities:

• Site inspections and surveys. Assist inspections nationwide. Record measurements, photographs and defect notes, support building pathology and technical due diligence, and highlight ESG and life-cycle considerations to the lead surveyor.

• Site inspections and surveys. Assist with inspections; record measurements, photographs and defect notes; support building pathology and technical due diligence; highlight ESG/life-cycle considerations to the lead surveyor.

• Reporting and deliverables. Draft sections of survey reports, schedules of condition, planned preventive maintenance (PPM) schedules and reinstatement cost assessments; check accuracy and help issue to agreed deadlines.

• Dilapidations support. Help compile evidence, maintain trackers and prepare draft schedules under supervision; observe negotiations.
• Contract administration and project monitoring. Assist with scopes/specifications, tender documentation and analysis; track programme/cost/quality; take minutes; support snagging and handover activities.
• Landlord and tenant matters. Provide support on Licences to Alter and related approvals, including technical reviews and information coordination.

• Health, safety and compliance. Follow CDM 2015 and company procedures; contribute to risk assessments and method statements; uphold site standards.

• Information management and digital tools. Maintain organised files and trackers; mark up drawings and specifications; use MS Office; exposure to CAD/Bluebeam is advantageous.

• Learning and development. Participate in the Emerging Talent Programme; keep an experience log aligned to Assessment of Professional Competence (APC); seek feedback and engage in CPD activities set by the Training & Development team.

Location: 

This placement is for Manchester.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree 2:2 or above. It is essential that an applicant already has or is working towards the completion of a RICS-accredited BSc/MSc in Building Surveying (completed or completing this academic year), or a RICS-accredited masters conversion course.
• GCSEs English and Maths at grade 4 / C or above (or equivalent).
• Right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme beginning September 2026. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
• Clear written and verbal communication, strong attention to detail, and an analytical mindset with sound numeracy.
• Prioritisation and time management skills to successfully balance competing priorities and ensure work is completed in a timely manner.
• A proactive team player who takes ownership, seeks feedback and grows with us.
• Relevant industry experience (e.g., placement, internship, site work) is desirable but not essential.
• Willingness to travel within the UK; a full UK driving licence is desirable.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with CAD/Bluebeam/Microsoft Project is advantageous.

Right to work in the UK and employment offer:

We welcome applications from candidates who have their own right to work within the UK. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the recruitment process. Colliers are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Use of AI:

You may use AI tools to draft your application. All answers must be accurate and based on your own experience. We will verify claims at interview and may ask for evidence. Applications containing false, plagiarised, or copied content will be withdrawn from consideration.

If you choose to use AI tools during your application process, please ensure that it is used thoughtfully and responsibly. At Colliers we are tech-enabled and people-centered, this means that we welcome technology in our process while ensuring we understand the individual behind each application

Applications are regularly reviewed, and early applications are strongly encouraged. We reserve the right to close the job posting before the deadline depending on the volume of applications received.

Apply by 7 November 2025 19:00 (UK time)

At Colliers, we empower people to perform at their best. As a Disability Confident Employer, we want every candidate to feel welcome. If anything would help you take part in our process, such as extra time or rest breaks, step-free access, or a different interview format, please tell us in your application. You are not expected to share a diagnosis or medical history.

Please tell us what would help you take part and give enough practical detail for us to arrange it. We will handle your request confidentially, and it will not affect how you are assessed. We make reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Colliers is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age; disability; gender; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins); religion or belief; sex; or sexual orientation. We also value diverse experience and neurodiversity.