New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) (Construction Management) or (Quantity Surveying)
During year one, you will study courses such as construction technology, measurement and estimating. In your second year, you can choose to specialise in either construction management or quantity surveying. This qualification works well undertaken part-time, while employed in a related role.
Domestic
About the programme
Become a construction professional and help realise commercial and residential construction projects.
This programme is recognised by employers and industrial, academic and professional bodies - so when you graduate you'll be highly competent and industry ready.
Quantity Surveyors and Construction Management professionals work with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, and local authorities to complete construction projects.
Quantity Surveyors can budget, price, and financially administer construction projects. Typical roles include Consultants, Estimators, Contract Administrators, and Contract Managers. With experience, quantity surveying can lead into the fields of project management, commercial management, and dispute resolution.
Construction Management focus on planning and managing time, resources, quality and health and safety. They are less focused on financial management than quantity surveyors.
Studying full-time or part-time
You can study the Quantity Surveying option either full-time (two years) or part-time (four years). Construction Management is only available to study over four years part-time and you need to be working in the construction industry in a supervisory capacity to be able to complete this programme (or will have the chance to work in a supervisory capacity during your study).
It's possible to study the other option (either Construction Management or Quantity Surveying) after completing the first option or at the same time if timetabling allows.
International
Auckland
April
July
October
About the programme
Become a construction professional and help realise commercial and residential construction projects.
This programme is recognised by employers and industrial, academic and professional bodies - so when you graduate you'll be highly competent and industry ready.
Quantity Surveyors and Construction Management professionals work with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, and local authorities to complete construction projects.
Quantity Surveyors can budget, price, and financially administer construction projects. Typical roles include Consultants, Estimators, Contract Administrators, and Contract Managers. With experience, quantity surveying can lead into the fields of project management, commercial management, and dispute resolution.
Construction Management focus on planning and managing time, resources, quality and health and safety. They are less focused on financial management than quantity surveyors.
Studying full-time or part-time
Our Dunedin intake is February each year. Our Auckland intakes are February, April, July and October.
You can study the Quantity Surveying option either full-time (two years) or part-time (four years). Construction Management is only available to study over four years part-time and you need to be working in the construction industry in a supervisory capacity to be able to complete this programme (or will have the chance to work in a supervisory capacity during your study).
It's possible to study the other option (either Construction Management or Quantity Surveying) after completing the first option or at the same time if timetabling allows.
What You Study
Construction Management courses
If you want to study Construction Management, you need to be working in the construction industry in a supervisory capacity or will have the opportunity to work in a supervisory capacity during the duration of your study (which is four years part-time alongside employment).
YEAR ONE | |
---|---|
COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
Construction Technology: Small buildings | Either 1 x 30 or 2 x 15 credit course |
Construction Technology: Medium and Large | Either 1 x 30 or 2 x15 credit course |
Measurement | 15 |
Introduction to Legislative and Social Environment | 15 |
Estimating | 15 |
Introduction to Dispute Resolution | 15 |
YEAR TWO | |
COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
Programming | 15 |
Procurement and Tendering | 15 |
Contact Administration | 15 |
Quality Assurance and Site Safety | 15 |
People Management | 15 |
Project Management | 15 |
Construction Project | 30 |
Total | 240 |
Quantity Surveying courses
YEAR ONE | |
---|---|
COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
Construction Technology: Small buildings | Either 1 x 30 or 2 x 15 credit course |
Construction Technology: Medium and Large | Either 1 x 30 or 2 x 15 credit course |
Measurement | 15 |
Introduction to Legislative and Social Environment | 15 |
Estimating | 15 |
Introduction to Dispute Resolution | 15 |
YEAR TWO | |
COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
Programming | 15 |
Procurement and Tendering | 15 |
Contact Administration | 15 |
Advanced Measurement | 15 |
Cost Planning | 15 |
Value Management | 15 |
Quality Assurance and Site Safety | 15 |
Applied Project Management | 15 |
Total | 240 |
Practical and work-based learning
There is no requirement for learners to complete an internship or similar component. However, if the circumstances are appropriate and conducive to an individual learner’s needs, there is a possibility to meet programme requirements through workplace learning. We will continue to have managed student projects off campus to enable all learners to approach the ‘commercial competence’ that is written into this qualification. Year two learners that are not in workplace learning arrangements will have additional ‘leading hand’ level responsibilities and tasking within these outside projects.
Membership opportunities
Quantity Surveying students can join the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) as a free student member. Then, after graduating and gaining sufficient industry experience, you can apply for full membership. The NZIQS belongs to the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS), along with a number of other countries, and has reciprocal agreements with some other Institutes, making it easier to work overseas.
The Construction Management strand supports the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Licensed Building Practitioner Scheme, providing eligibility for a streamlined application process towards Site License Classes 1, 2 and 3 in accordance with information on the MBIE website: http://www.business.govt.nz/lbp.
Further study options
When you graduate, you can gain direct entry to the final year of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) or (Site Management) degree which you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (two to three years).
The degree will provide broader skills around business and construction law, and management so is geared towards a more senior level. Graduates would initially still enter the industry as Consultants, Estimators, Contract Administrators, or Contracts Managers. Then, upon gaining sufficient experience can apply for more senior positions, without first needing further study.
Postgraduate study is available for degree graduates. Massey University offers a Master’s degree in Construction with majors in Construction Project Management, Quantity Surveying, and Construction Law.
Workload
Your workload
Dunedin programme (domestic and international students)
If studying full-time, you should commit approximately 38 hours per week towards your studies. This comprises around 19 hours of class time per week, with the remainder spent in self-directed learning.
You can study this programme part-time, typically over four years (five years maximum by negotiation). Part-time paths of study are planned with each learner individually so you can fit your studies around work.
Auckland programme (international students only)
You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 300 hours per Study Block) on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study.
Entry
Entry requirements
Construction Management strand
- A minimum of 50 NCEA credits at Level 2, including:
- 12 credits in maths, and
- a minimum of 12 literacy credits at NCEA Level 1
- OR be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
- You need to be working in the construction industry with a NZ trade background or similar.
- You need to be working in a supervisory capacity during the duration of your study (or will have the opportunity to do so).
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Quantity Surveying strand
- A minimum of 50 NCEA credits at Level 2, including:
- 12 credits in maths, and
- a minimum of 12 Literacy credits at NCEA Level 1
- OR be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.
We currently offer this option for the Construction Management strand only.
Our assessment of prior learning centre, offers a 10 month full-time / 18-20 month part-time work-based learning option.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Study for free during 2022!
Domestic students can study this programme for free during 2022 due to the Government's Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF).
- You'll still need to pay for any additional course-related costs such as textbooks or protective footwear (see more info in Additional Costs section).
- You can pay for this yourself or apply for a loan/allowance via Studylink.
TTAF will only cover your study during 2022. You may be eligible for some additional tuition fees cover under the Government's Fees Free scheme. See the Paying for your study section below for more info.
Covid-19 relief scholarships
We have scholarships available due to the impacts of Covid-19 for international students applying in all subject areas at our Auckland International Campus.
We have a standard Covid-19 scholarship.
And we also have a Covid-19 "top up" scholarship. This is for students from the countries most severely impacted by Covid-18. Please email OPAIC.Marketing@op.ac.nz to see if you are eligible for the top up scholarship.
Additional costs
You'll need a range of equipment and textbooks for this programme.
Paying for your study
TTAF
The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is currently running but will end in December 2022. That means only your 2022 study will be covered. You may be able to get some financial help for your remaining study through the Fees Free scheme if you’re eligible (see info below).
Whilst this programme is free for you to study during 2022, the TTAF fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs.
Full-time learners
You can pay for additional and living costs by yourself if that is possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink (which is only available for domestic learners).
It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.
For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website.
Part-time learners
You can pay for additional and living costs yourself if this is possible.
As a part-time learner, you're generally not eligible for student loans and allowances through Studylink but some help may be possible depending on your circumstances (for domestic students). Check the Studylink website for more information.
Fees Free
The Government is also running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. They have confirmed that TTAF does not impact on a learner’s entitlement to also access the Fees Free scheme.
So, you’ll be covered by TTAF for your 2022 study and, if you would have originally been eligible for Fees Free, you’ll be able to access that to cover some of your remaining study.
You can check your Fees Free eligibility here >
Fees Free only covers your tuition fees. You would still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and placement transport costs. And the same full-time learner/part-time learner information would apply to Studylink financial support as was mentioned above.
If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz
Multi-year fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink. Some support may be available for domestic part-time students. Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative ONLY. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.