It provides an essential resource for students studying for qualifications leading to professional membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). It caters primarily for students studying these subjects at bachelor's degree level, but will also be suitable for students on programmes at HNC and HND levels, as well as those undertaking professional examinations. It will also provide introductory reading for students undertaking master's level programmes, and particularly for the increasing numbers of graduates from other disciplines who are now studying on RICS-accredited master's degree conversion programmes.