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.
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 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
International
Auckland (international students only)
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 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
Programme start dates
Our Dunedin programme starts in February each year. Our Auckland programme has start dates in February, April, July and October. In Dunedin, you can study either full-time (two years) or part-time (four years). Construction Management is only available to study over four years part-time.
What You Study
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.
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
- NCEA Level 2, including:
- 12 credits in maths (excluding statistics), and
- a minimum of 12 literacy credits at NCEA Level 1
- OR a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 4 or above,
- 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.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You'll need a range of equipment and textbooks for this programme.
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.
The fee shown above is for the new unified version of this programme so may be slightly different to previous fees advertised.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
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.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
