2027 Savills Sandwich Placement - Surveying

Sandwich Placement Student – Surveying

Specialisms: Commercial, Residential and Development

Start date: September 2027

Salary: £29,000 / £26,500, dependent on location and cost of living

Locations: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh

About the Role

The Savills Sandwich Placement Programme provides students with the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of the industry, market, Savills’ teams and clients, while contributing towards APC experience if studying a cognate degree.

Savills offers three sandwich placement pathways: Commercial, Residential and Development.

Day-to-Day Work

A typical day may include building strong relationships and working through deals by calling other agents, investigating comparable evidence, meeting clients and visiting properties. It is a varied role in which no two days are the same.

London Sandwich Placement Roles

• Rating: Business rates are a tax on commercial property affecting businesses across all sectors and are a core valuation discipline within surveying. Based at Finsbury Circus House in the City of London, you will work alongside Directors and RICS-qualified surveyors, gaining hands-on experience in inspecting and valuing commercial property, analysing market evidence, advising clients and supporting business rates appeals. Students who perform well during their placement are strongly positioned for future graduate opportunities.
• Development Viability: The team evaluates the financial viability of real estate projects for private and public sector clients, helping them navigate planning requirements, optimise land value and deliver projects successfully. Services include affordable housing consultancy, valuation and agency-related services. The team advises on more than 100 projects annually, with a collective gross development value measurable in billions of pounds. Work ranges from valuing a wide range of property uses to financially modelling complex mixed-use development projects delivering thousands of new homes and commercial uses. Hear from the team.
• Residential Valuation: More information.
• Central London Retail: Hear from the team, and read more about the division and sector.
• Residential Management: More information.
• Residential Property Management: More information.
• Retail Property Management: Hear from the team.
• Business Space Property Management: Hear from a sandwich student and a Director.
• Lease Consultancy: Provide strategic advice to landlords and occupiers across commercial property sectors, helping clients maximise value and manage occupational costs throughout the lease lifecycle. You will gain experience in rent reviews, lease renewals, lease restructures, lease regears and break-option advice. Responsibilities include analysing lease documentation, researching market evidence, assisting with negotiation preparation and supporting client advice. Students who perform well during their placement are strongly positioned for future graduate opportunities.

Regional Sandwich Placement Roles

• Birmingham – Rating: More information.
• Birmingham – Rotation: Rotation across various teams. Hear from a graduate and a Director.
• Bristol – Retail: Hear from an Associate Director.
• Leeds – Housing Valuation: Undertake valuations of social housing portfolios across the UK, primarily advising banks and investors while also working with Housing Associations and Local Authorities on a consultancy basis. Responsibilities include modelling valuations, attending client meetings and events, carrying out inspections around the country and writing reports.
• Manchester – Rotation: Rotation across various teams. Hear from a sandwich student.
• Newcastle – Development: Hear from a surveyor and a Director.
• Edinburgh – Scotland Investment: More information.

Assessment Process

1. Online application: Submit your application, including your CV and responses to the application questions.
2. Application deadline: 11:59 p.m. on 19 October 2026. Savills reserves the right to close applications early and recommends applying as soon as possible.
3. Online assessment: SHL assessment, sent upon completion of the application and to be completed by 12 p.m. on 20 October 2026.
4. Assessment Centre: 26 November 2026, Margaret Street, London.
5. Panel interview: 1 December 2026.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, organisation and a proactive approach.
• Empower those around you.
• Demonstrate strong verbal, numerical and report-writing skills.
• Be a team player with leadership potential.
• Listen to others and collaborate effectively.
• Apply a strategic approach to problem-solving.
• Be highly motivated.
• Challenge positively and constructively.
• Be computer literate.

Savills values individualism and diversity in its graduate intake. At every stage of the selection process, candidates are encouraged to show their authentic selves and be honest.

Key Skills

• Decision-making
• Collaboration
• Building relationships
• Planning and organising
• Adaptability
• Resilience

Future Talent Objectives

Technical and Professional Knowledge

Demonstrate a strong foundational knowledge and understanding of the profession, the qualification being completed and the role being undertaken.

• Enrol and make active progress towards the relevant qualification, understanding the required competencies and knowledge, skills and behaviours, and maintaining an up-to-date record of experience.
• Complete all required induction training, including mandatory training on MyLearning.

Business Awareness

Ask relevant questions and demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm to understand the business.

• Develop a foundational understanding of the UK business strategy, the team strategy and your contribution to both.
• Adhere to additional requirements set by your division and develop a clear understanding of your personal brand, including office attire, etiquette and team expectations.

Work Quality

Accurately complete tasks on time, seeking guidance from team members where required.

• Approach tasks with team and client expectations in mind.
• Demonstrate attention to detail in all outputs, including data accuracy, formatting and compliance with Savills’ brand and policies.

Time Management

Maintain good timekeeping, both personally and professionally.

• Arrive at work on time, make every effort to be a reliable team member and reflect the working culture of your team.
• Meet agreed deadlines consistently, prioritise tasks effectively and communicate any capacity issues or questions to your team early and proactively.

Effective Communication

Begin building effective working relationships with colleagues across the team and wider business.

• Have regular one-to-one meetings with your line manager and encourage team members to provide feedback on your work.
• Adapt your communication style to different stakeholders while maintaining professionalism at all times.

Benefits

• One-year contract
• Company mobile phone and laptop
• 25 days’ annual leave
• Employee discounts through MyRewards, offering discounts and offers from thousands of providers
• Sports activities, including hockey, netball, skiing, rugby, football, cricket and badminton
• Employee Assistance Programme, a confidential 24-hour service available to all staff

Training and Development

Savills’ training and development programme is highly regarded within the property industry and is designed to help graduates reach their full potential. You will have regular opportunities to attend technical, business skills and personal development activities, including conferences, courses, lectures, networking, mock assessments, revision sessions and social events. These activities complement your practical experience and support the theoretical requirements of your pathway.

Savills was awarded Times Graduate Employer of Choice for Property for the 20th consecutive year, highlighting the quality of its training programme, which is tailored to each pathway. You will have an APC supervisor and counsellor to support and guide you throughout the two-year training programme. They will discuss your training and experience needs during regular progress reviews.

Career Development

After successfully passing your APC and becoming a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will continue to receive training and career development opportunities. Savills supports your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and ensures that all staff remain up to date with changes to legislation and business needs.

Find Your Place to Thrive

Savills is an organisation of extraordinary individuals, with talented people at the forefront of their specialisms who are eager to drive progress for themselves, their colleagues and the business as part of an inclusive culture.

Everyone at Savills shares the purpose of helping people thrive through places and spaces. This is reflected in four key values: we listen, we empower, we challenge and we collaborate.

Right to Work in the UK

Any employment offer is contingent on obtaining and maintaining the right to work and reside legally in the UK. Savills welcomes applications from candidates who have their own right to work in the UK and can maintain and demonstrate that right throughout their employment. Evidence of the right to work will be required during the recruitment process.

Savills is unable to sponsor candidates for this role because the Home Office eligibility criteria will not be satisfied.

Use of AI

Information about the use of AI in the application process

Apply

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