One of the most critical and challenging parts of the RICS APC submission is the Case Study. This 3,000-word document forms the core of your professional reflection and is the basis of your presentation at the Final Assessment. A well-written case study can significantly influence the assessors’ decision—so getting it right is essential.

Your choice of project is very important and must reflect your specific sector pathway. It must be based on a project that you have been personally involved in in the last 24 months at the point of submission. You may choose to use an element of a project that you were involved in as you were not involved in the whole project. You can choose a project that is still ongoing and just refer to the element that you were involved in.

Please ensure you use the correct and updated Case Study template downloaded from the Assessment Platform.
📝Download the RICS APC Case study template

🧱 How to Structure Your APC Case Study
To write a clear and compelling case study, follow this tried-and-tested structure:

🔹 1. Project Overview
In this section you should provide a summary of the project (scope, location, timeframe, your employer/client) and what your role was and include the following information (maximum of 500 words):

What did you do?
What was your level of responsibility?
Who were the stakeholders?
What was the timeline?

🔹 2. My Approach: Key Issues and options considered
In this section, you should describe the key issues or challenges on the project. You may write about one or more key issues but remember that you have a limited word count for the case study. Explain how you assessed the issues, made decisions, and advised the client. Focus on your reasoning and professional judgement. This sets the stage for showing your Level 3 competencies.

Explain the issues. Make it clear to the assessors why it became a challenge for you. Include the options you considered and the solutions that you identified, explaining why some options weren’t feasible.
Describe the key issues or challenges on the project.
Make it clear why it became a challenge for you.
Include the options you considered and the solutions.
Explaining why some options weren’t feasible.

🔹 3. My Achievement : Proposed solution and solution reflection
In this section you should describe what you achieved and how (proposed solution). Demonstrate your ability to think logically, laterally, and professionally by giving examples of where you gave reasoned advice to a client for your level 3 competencies.

Describe what you achieved and how.
Demonstrate your ability to think logically, laterally and professionally.
Giving examples of where you gave reasoned advice to a client for your level 3 competencies.

🔹 4. Conclusion : Lessons Learnt
In this section you need to reflect on and analyse your performance and refer to the lessons you learnt and what you would do differently next time. This section is very important in showing the assessors your analytical thinking and how you have developed as a professional

Analyse your performance.
Reference to the lessons you learnt.
What you would do differently next time.

Outcome and Reflection
Summarize the result of your work. What was the outcome for the client? What did you learn? What would you do differently next time?

📄Appendix
You may insert illustrations, charts, graphs, photographs or plans to this section. Please keep the attachments to a minimum, ensuring they are relevant to the case study.
Appendices should support your report, not add to or expand on it.

📜 Word Count
These 3,000 words maximum is for the content written. RICS will calculate the case study word by using Microsoft Word. Only the content you add from the introduction to the end of the conclusion will be counted. This means your case study word count does not include the Project Name, Date of Project, Confidentiality Statement, Table of Contents, Competencies Demonstrated and Appendices.
To use the wordcount effectively, remember that any tables or charts in the main body of your case study will be included in the word count so keep these to a minimum.
You will be required to state the total words written in the Assessment Platform when uploading your case study. Aim to use 95% – 100% of the allowable 3,000 (2,850 – 3,000 words) allocation to showcase your skills and experience.

📚 Competencies Demonstrated
You must list the competencies that you believe are demonstrated in your case study. Link your actions directly to the relevant technical and mandatory competencies. Be explicit about what level you are demonstrating and how.

Consider: The case study must give detailed evidence of your ability to work competently and to apply the knowledge relevant to your pathway.
Technical: Core Competencies – A minimum of one from the Core competencies must be written to a level 3 to show where you gave reasoned advice to a client.

Mandatory and Technical Competencies – This provides important evidence of the competencies you have achieved on the project.

It’s typical for an APC Candidate to demonstrate 5-7 competencies within the case study:
2-4 Core Competencies
1-2 Optional Competencies
2-3 Mandatory Competencies

✍️ What to Include in Your Content
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for clarity.
Focus on your individual role, not just team outcomes.
Include at least one Level 3 competency—this is critical.
Quantify impact where possible (costs saved, risks mitigated, deadlines met).
Be concise, factual, and avoid jargon unless clearly explained.

❌ Common Case Study Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a weak project: Select a project where you had a clear advisory role and responsibility.
Overwriting background details: Limit project description to essential facts; focus instead on your actions and advice.
Lacking analysis: Don’t just say what happened—explain why and how you made decisions.
Poor structure: If your case study lacks logical flow, assessors will struggle to follow your argument.
Missing reflection: Failing to reflect on lessons learned or areas for improvement can weaken your case.

✅ Final Tips
Start early and draft over time.
Share your draft with your APC counsellor or mentor for feedback.
Rehearse explaining it clearly for your presentation and interview.
A great case study is more than just a story—it’s evidence of your competence, confidence, and readiness for chartership. Take the time to make it exceptional.