
- Location
- Dunedin Campus or Auckland International Campus*
- By distance learning (for those with existing knowledge, we deliver the Construction Management strand through our Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning (Capable NZ)). Find out more >
*International students only
- Duration
- Two years full-time or four years part-time (Quantity Surveying) OR Four years part-time alongside employment in the industry (Construction Management)
- Delivery
- On campus: Face-to-face teaching and self-directed learning
- By distance: Online learning, cases studies and reflection
- Credits
- 240
- Level
- 6
- Start
- Dunedin: February
Auckland (all): February, April, July and October
Distance (Capable NZ): Monthly intakes - Apply
- Anytime
-
LocationIntakeStudy breaks
-
Auckland International Campus25 January 202131 May 2021 - 4 June 2021
22 March 2021 - 2 April 2021
2 August 2021 - 13 August 2021
-
Auckland International Campus7 April 20212 August 2021 - 13 August 2021
31 May 2021 - 4 June 2021
11 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
-
Auckland International Campus7 June 202111 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
2 August 2021 - 13 August 2021
13 December 2021 - 4 February 2022
-
Auckland International Campus16 August 202113 December 2021 - 4 February 2022
11 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
11 April 2022 - 22 April 2022
-
Auckland International Campus18 October 202111 April 2022 - 22 April 2022
13 December 2021 - 4 February 2022
27 June 2022 - 22 July 2022
-
CapableNZ1 January 2021
-
CapableNZ5 January 2021
-
CapableNZ1 October 2021
-
CapableNZ1 November 2021
-
CapableNZ1 December 2021
-
CapableNZ1 February 2021
-
CapableNZ1 March 2021
-
CapableNZ1 April 2021
-
CapableNZ1 May 2021
-
CapableNZ1 June 2021
-
CapableNZ1 July 2021
-
CapableNZ1 August 2021
-
CapableNZ1 September 2021
-
Dunedin5 January 2021
-
Dunedin1 October 2021
-
Dunedin1 November 2021
-
Dunedin1 December 2021
-
Dunedin1 February 2021
-
Dunedin1 March 2021
-
Dunedin1 April 2021
-
Dunedin1 May 2021
-
Dunedin1 June 2021
-
Dunedin1 July 2021
-
Dunedin1 August 2021
-
Dunedin1 September 2021
-
Dunedin19 July 2021
-
Dunedin19 July 20214 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
-
Dunedin22 February 2021
-
Dunedin22 February 20215 July 2021 - 23 July 2021
19 April 2021 - 30 April 2021
4 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
-
Dunedin22 February 2021
-
Dunedin22 February 2021
-
Auckland International Campus8 February 202227 June 2022 - 22 July 2022
-
Auckland International Campus26 April 202226 September 2022 - 7 October 2022
27 June 2022 - 22 July 2022
12 December 2022 - 3 February 2023
-
Auckland International Campus25 July 202212 December 2022 - 3 February 2023
26 September 2022 - 7 October 2022
10 April 2023 - 21 April 2023
-
Auckland International Campus10 October 202210 April 2023 - 21 April 2023
12 December 2022 - 3 February 2023
26 June 2023 - 21 July 2023
-
Dunedin21 February 20224 July 2022 - 22 July 2022
18 April 2022 - 29 April 2022
3 October 2022 - 14 October 2022
-
Dunedin21 February 20224 July 2022 - 22 July 2022
18 April 2022 - 29 April 2022
3 October 2022 - 14 October 2022
-
Auckland International Campus7 February 202326 June 2023 - 21 July 2023
10 April 2023 - 21 April 2023
25 September 2023 - 6 October 2023
-
Auckland International Campus25 April 202325 September 2023 - 6 October 2023
26 June 2023 - 21 July 2023
11 December 2023 - 2 February 2024
-
Auckland International Campus24 July 202311 December 2023 - 2 February 2024
25 September 2023 - 6 October 2023
8 April 2024 - 19 April 2024
-
Auckland International Campus9 October 20238 April 2024 - 19 April 2024
11 December 2023 - 2 February 2024
24 June 2024 - 19 July 2024
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 and construction managers do?
Quantity Surveyors and Construction Management professionals work with clients, architects, engineers, consultants, and local authorities to complete construction projects.
Quantity Surveyors
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 Managers
Construction Management focus on planning and managing time, resources, quality and health and safety. They are less focused on financial management than quantity surveyors.
Please note: 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). This option includes a 30-credit applied project based on a project you have managed in the workplace. |
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.
- 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.
- It's possible to study the other strand either after completing the first strand or at the same time if the timetabling permits.
- Upon successful completion of this diploma, you can gain direct entry into the final year of our Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) or (Site Management)
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your study situation. Email david.finnie@op.ac.nz or Construction@op.ac.nz.
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? (Construction Management only)
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, you may have already gained credits towards this qualification. Capable NZ, our Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning, is currently offering the Construction Management strand of this qualification and recognition of skills gained in the workplace will be credited toward courses on a case-by-case basis.
You will study (Construction Management)
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).
This strand totals 240 credits.
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 |
You will study (Quantity Surveying)
This strand totals 240 credits.
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 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
If studying at our Dunedin Campus
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.
Part-time
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.
If studying at our Auckland International Campus
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.
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) 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.
Additional information and programme costs (Dunedin)
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
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.