How To Write RICS APC Case Study Effectively?

Getting your RICS APC case study right is an important milestone for any aspiring chartered surveyor. You must produce a 3000-word document that focuses on a single project or a small group of related projects.

This piece of work acts as the backbone of your assessment. It proves you can apply your technical knowledge to real-life scenarios while providing professional advice to clients. We see many candidates feel a bit lost at the start but breaking it down makes the task much more manageable.

Here are the top 6 Points in preparing the APC case study for U.K’s RICS assessment to ensure 100% positive outcomes by CDRAustralia.Org who have a team of well experienced professional writers.

1.) Choosing the Right Project

The foundation of your case study is the project you select. Choose a project that you worked on within the last two years. It needs to be a project that allows you to demonstrate at least two of your core competencies. You might struggle to show enough depth in case the project was too simple.

When selecting your project, look for these elements:

A project where you faced a specific challenge or an unforeseen problem.
Work that requires you to weigh up different options before giving advice.
A situation where you had a direct hand in the outcome or the decision-making process.
Sufficient data and documentation to support your claims and figures.
Projects that show your grasp of Level 3 competencies.

2.) Structuring Your Submission

The structure is quite rigid, which actually helps you stay on track. You need to stick to the word limit strictly, as the RICS assessors do not appreciate rambling.

Your case study should follow this logical flow:

Introduction

Provide a brief overview of the project. State your role, the client’s objectives, and the key dates. Keep this part short in about 500 words, which is usually plenty to set the scene.

Key Issues

This is where you describe the specific problems you encountered. What went wrong? What was the technical challenge? You should clearly state the issues so the assessors know exactly what you were trying to solve.

Options and Solutions

Identify the various ways you could have handled the issues. Explain why you chose one path over the others. You need to show that you thought through the implications of each choice.

Reflection and Lessons Learnt

RICS assessors look closely at this section. They want to see what you took away from the experience. Even if things did not go perfectly, showing you can learn and improve is what matters most.

3.) Competency Breakdown for Case Studies

You need to align your narrative with the RICS competency levels. Use this table as a quick reference for framing your involvement.

Level	Focus of the Content	Expected Language
Level 1	Demonstrating your knowledge and technical theory.	“I am aware of…” or “I studied…”
Level 2	Explaining how you applied that knowledge in practice.	“I carried out…” or “I performed…”
Level 3	Showing how you provided reasoned advice to your client.	“I advised the client to…” or “I recommended…”

4.) Maintaining Professional Writing Standards

Your writing must reflect the standard of a chartered professional. This means using Australian English spelling and a formal tone. You should avoid jargon that someone outside your specific pathway might not recognise. The goal is clarity. Use the active voice where possible, as it makes your personal contribution much clearer to the reader.

We often notice candidates get caught up in the project’s history. Avoid spending too much time on what the company did and focus on what you did. The assessors are assessing you, not your employer. If you use “we” too much, they might doubt your individual expertise. Use “I” to claim your work and your professional decisions.

5.) Formatting and Presentation

The visual layout of your case study contributes to its readability. Use clear, RICS-compliant headings and subheadings. If you have complex data, consider using small appendices, but do not use them to hide extra word count. Your references should be accurate, and any images or plans included must be high-quality and relevant to the text.

The reflection section should be honest. If a project had a budget overrun, explain why and how you managed the client’s expectations. This level of transparency shows maturity and professional integrity. It demonstrates that you are ready to take on the responsibilities of a RICS member.

6.) Final Checks Before Submission

Before you hit the submit button, read your work aloud. It helps you catch awkward phrasing or repetitive words. Check that your word count sits within the 3,000-word limit. If you are over, cut the fluff from the introduction or the project description. Every sentence should serve a purpose in proving your competency.

The case study is your chance to shine. It tells the story of your transition from a graduate or trainee to a fully qualified professional. If you focus on your personal involvement and the advice you gave, you are well on your way to success.

How does CDRAustralia.Org support the preparation of the RICS APC Case Study?

CDRAustralia.Org provides expert guidance for RICS APC Case study writing, ensuring your submission meets professional standards with original content, prompt delivery, and deep industry knowledge to support your career in the built environment.