Whilst estate agents are in favour of some form of mandatory industry training, the majority believe that estate agency is a job best learnt on the ground, not in a classroom, The latest insight by eXp UK shows.

A survey of UK estate agents, commissioned by eXp UK, found that despite there being no formal qualification required to become an estate agent, 30% hold GCSE level qualifications, 30% have a university degree or similar, with a further 9% holding a masters degree.

Despite this, less than a quarter – 23% – believe that there should be a mandatory level of education required in order to become an estate agent and just 29% believe that those who have completed higher education make for better estate agents.

When it came to their first job in estate agency, just 35% were required to complete any form of training course or similar when first starting their career.

However, 68% stated that they believe there should be a specific qualification implemented in order to become an estate agent.

Despite the widespread belief that there should be some form of barrier to entry when becoming an estate agent, 83% maintain that the role itself is one best learnt on the ground, rather than in a classroom.

The head of eXp UK, Adam Day, commented: “The lack of qualification required to be an estate agent is a hot topic that has been raised on many occasions and it’s clear that, in the modern day property market, many agents believe there should be some form of entry requirement.

“We’ve seen the education sector evolve over the years to offer more hands-on vocations to students and providing a clearer pathway to entering the profession could help encourage more people to pursue a path as an estate agent.

“But whilst it’s clear that agents do see the value in a sector focussed qualification, estate agency remains a role that is best mastered on the ground, learning on the job, not in a classroom.”