New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) (Quantity Surveying)

During year one, you will study courses such as Material and Structural Principles, Introduction to Measurement and Estimation, and Environment. You will then move into more specialised quantity surveying courses during your second year. This qualification works well undertaken part-time, while employed in a related role.

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 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.

Want to study Construction Management instead? 

No problem! Simply complete the first year of the programme with us (as the courses are shared across the quantity surveying and construction management pathway) and then enrol with another provider (e.g. Open Polytechnic) for your second year. 

You would still complete the Regional Project Construction Management course with us in your second year as we offer that across the quantity surveying programme but could complete the rest of the specialised courses through the other provider (online if you chose to enrol with Open Polytechnic). 

Talk to us if you want to find out more about this option. Email construction@op.ac.nz

Quantity Surveying courses

Course name Description Credits
Introduction to Construction Develop knowledge and skills related to construction roles, responsibilities, documentation and communication. 15
Materials and Structural Principles Gain knowledge and skills of structural principles and the properties of materials and finishes applicable to building projects. 15
Environment Evaluate site and building limitations including environmental impacts and sustainable methods of construction. 15
Services Learn about the purpose, operating principles, coordination, and legislative requirements required to manage a range of services in small, medium and large buildings.  15
Construction 1 Residential Gain knowledge and skills related to structures, building envelope and the interior for a small building. 15
Law and Contracts Develop knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand legislative and regulatory frameworks and how to relate these frameworks to professional practice within a construction and consulting environment. 15
Introduction to Measurement and Estimation Gain the knowledge and skills to measure and estimate costs for inclusion in tenders for building projects. 15
Estimation Develop the knowledge and skills to estimate costs for inclusion in tenders for medium and large building projects.  15
Measurement 1 Learn how to assemble quantity surveying documentation and measure schedules of quantities for a small building project.  15
Construction 2 Commercial Develop the knowledge and skills to select and incorporate foundation methods, structural systems, building envelope and the interior for medium and large buildings. 15
Financial Administration Analyse and conduct a valuation and prepare account statements for work carried out on a construction site. 15
Procurement Develop knowledge and skills relevant to a range of procedures, types of contracts, methodologies and processes for the procurement of building projects. 15
Programming Effectively programme and monitor activities, resources and contingencies for a medium building. 15
Measurement 2 Assemble and measure schedules of quantities from project information for medium and large buildings. 15
Cost Planning Analyse and prepare preliminary estimates, elemental cost plans and preliminary cashflow statements for medium and large building projects.  15
Regional Project Quantity Surveying Develop the knowledge and skills to act as quantity surveyors by studying selected aspects of regional construction practice, emerging construction technologies and professional practice.  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

You 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.

Further study options 

When you graduate, you can gain direct entry to the final year of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) degree which you can study full-time (one year) or part-time (two to three years). 

For the part-time option, the courses can be studied through a combination of online learning and by attending contact courses in Dunedin over the two to three year duration. This makes it ideal to complete alongside your employment from anywhere in New Zealand!

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.