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LocationIntakeStudy breaks
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Dunedin23 February 202629 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
6 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
21 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
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Auckland International Campus2 February 202622 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
6 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
21 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
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Auckland International Campus20 April 202621 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
22 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
7 December 2026 - 29 January 2027
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Auckland International Campus20 July 20267 December 2026 - 29 January 2027
21 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
5 April 2027 - 16 April 2027
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Auckland International Campus5 October 20265 April 2027 - 16 April 2027
7 December 2026 - 29 January 2027
21 June 2027 - 16 July 2027
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Dunedin23 February 202629 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
6 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
21 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
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Dunedin23 February 202629 June 2026 - 17 July 2026
6 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
21 September 2026 - 2 October 2026
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Dunedin22 February 2027
Study breaks content
Become a construction professional and help realise commercial and residential construction projects.
The New Zealand Diploma in Construction is recognised by employers and industrial, academic and professional bodies - so when you graduate you'll be highly competent and industry ready.
What do quantity surveyors do?
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.
Benefits of this qualification
- 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.
- Upon successful completion of this diploma, you can gain direct entry into the final year of our Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying)
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your study situation.
Email: OPAIC.Marketing@op.ac.nz
Entry requirements
- 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).
You will study
You will study a total of 240 credits.
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Courses Year 1 (Compulsory) |
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Course |
Description |
Level |
Credits |
|
Introduction to Construction Studies |
Develop knowledge and skills related to construction roles, responsibilities, documentation and communication. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Material and Structural Principles |
Develop knowledge and skills of structural principles and the properties of materials and finishes applicable to building projects. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Law and Construction Contracts |
Develop knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand legislative and regulatory frameworks and to relate these frameworks to professional practice within a construction and consulting environment. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Construction 1 Residential |
Develop and apply knowledge and skills related to structures, building envelope and the interior for a small building. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Services |
Develop knowledge and skills relevant to the purpose, operating principles, coordination, and legislative requirements required to manage a range of services in small, medium, and large buildings. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
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. |
6 |
16 credits |
|
Environment |
Develop knowledge and skills to evaluate site and building limitations including environmental impacts and sustainable methods of construction. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Introduction to Measurement and Estimation |
Develop the knowledge and skills to measure and estimate costs for inclusion in tenders for small building projects. |
5 |
15 credits |
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Courses Year 2 (Compulsory) |
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Course |
Description |
Level |
Credits |
|
Measurement 1 |
Develop the knowledge and skills to assemble quantity surveying documentation and measure schedules of quantities for a small building project. |
5 |
15 credits |
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Estimation |
Develop the knowledge and skills to estimate costs for inclusion in tenders for medium and large building projects. |
5 |
15 credits |
|
Programming |
Develop the knowledge and skills to effectively programme and monitor activities, resources and contingencies for a medium building. |
6 |
15 credits |
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Measurement 2 |
Develop the knowledge and skills to assemble and measure schedules of quantities from project information for medium and large buildings. |
6 |
15 credits |
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Financial Administration |
Develop the knowledge and skills to analyse and conduct a valuation and prepare account statements for work carried out on a construction site. |
6 |
15 credits |
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Procurement |
Develop knowledge and skills relevant to a range of procedures, types of contracts, methodologies and processes for the procurement of building projects. |
6 |
15 credits |
|
Cost Planning |
Develop the knowledge and skills to analyse and prepare preliminary estimates, elemental cost plans and preliminary cashflow statements for medium and large building projects. |
6 |
15 credits |
|
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. |
6 |
15 credits |
Practical and work-based components
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.
Your workload
You will be expected to spend about 300 hours per Study Block on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study.
At our Auckland International Campus, this programme is offered by Future Skills Academy due to a sub-contract arrangement with Otago Polytechnic. Auckland study block dates >
Further study options
Upon successful completion of this diploma, you can gain direct entry to the final year of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) which you can study full-time (one year). Students who wish to progress to the bachelor's degree must meet the English language entry requirements outlined above.
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.
Cancellation of a programme
Any programme of study, course or course occurrence may be cancelled or postponed where there are insufficient numbers. As far as is practically possible, we avoid cancelling or making other significant changes less than two weeks before the programme starts (or five working days for short courses). If this happens, we will do our best to suggest alternative study options for you. If you don’t want to do the alternative programme, we will give you a full refund. For international students, if a programme change affects your visa status, we will let you know and support you to find an alternative option. We also advise Immigration New Zealand of any programme change that will affect international students.
Intakes:
| Course | Description | Dates |
| 26-DUN-Y1S | Dunedin | 23 Feb 2026 |
| 26-AIC-03 | Auckland International Campus | 20 Jul 2026 |
| 26-AIC-02 | Auckland International Campus | 20 Apr 2026 |
| 26-AIC-04 | Auckland International Campus | 05 Oct 2026 |
| 26-DUN-PT1 | Dunedin | 23 Feb 2026 |
| 27-DUN-Y1 | Dunedin | 22 Feb 2027 |