The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has said it will continue to accredit Kingston University courses if they move out of the School of Planning and Surveying, which could close this year.

The university has begun a month-long consultation on whether to close the school over poor recruitment figures.

Planning students said last week they were shocked at the possibility their courses might be cut, forcing them to move to a different university.

A RICS spokeswoman said: "RICS was notified by Kingston University that it was reviewing the future of the School of Surveying and Planning and has been in correspondence with the university.

"We recognise that students currently studying on RICS accredited courses will be concerned about the status of their course.

"RICS will continue to recognise the accredited status of the courses and on successful completion of the course students will graduate with an RICS accredited degree.

"RICS has notified the university that it will continue to accredit the courses.

"RICS will need to discuss the changes with the university in detail. We want to assure that the remaining courses are properly resourced and continue to provide students with a high quality surveying education and produce highly competent graduates."

The proposed changes:

  • Close planning courses
  • Courses in surveying would move to the University’s School of Civil Engineering and Construction
  • Real estate would relocate to Kingston’s Law School to help form an Institute of Property
  • The MA in Art Market Appraisal and Foundation Degrees in Historic Building Conservation and Architectural Stonework would remain based in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture

Vice-chancellor Professor Julius Weinberg has said 18 first- and second-year planning students could lose their places.

He said: "The majority of courses will continue to run and we hope this realignment will ensure that they flourish.

"The university will do everything it can to ensure these students can complete their studies, either on a similar alternative course at Kingston or at another university.

"These changes may result in the need for some staff redundancies. We will work with staff concerned and trades unions to seek alternatives wherever this is possible."

A final decision on the plans has not been made.