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

• 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.

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.  

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.

Find out if this is the right pathway for you > 

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. 

This strand totals 240 credits. 

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.

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 >

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. 

• Programme orientation and additional information 
• Programme equipment list
• Campus map
• Timetable (draft copy)

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 

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.

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