Construction Management – Bachelor of Construction

With Massey’s Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management), you will be able to make your mark on this growing industry. Most of our students have a cadet position before they have finished their degree.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand
Note: No mid-year intake.

Specialise in Construction Management for your Bachelor of Construction at Massey

The Bachelor of Construction (Construction Management) will help you make an impact in the building industry, from design to project completion.

Skills employers seek

You’ll learn how to contribute to client needs assessment and how to offer advice on resolving buildability issues at the design stage. You’ll plan, schedule, and organise for implementation of new builds, refurbishments and conversions. You’ll learn how to make sure that things stay on track – financially, quality and time-wise and that you are meeting legal requirements.

You can follow your passion and create your own niche. For instance, you may be interested in sustainable construction, or you could be an advocate for obligations for social and environmental friendliness in buildings.

Digital technology is integral to your learning

Extensive use is made of digital technology during your study as it is embedded across most of your courses. All courses have an online teaching component and you can use your tablet or smartphone to ask or answer questions during lectures. Some assignments will require you to prepare a video of your work. Core courses for construction management will teach you vital digital skills such as: Computer Aided Drawing (CAD), computer modelling of buildings (BIM, Augmented and Virtual Reality).

Flexibility

You can choose to complete your final year in distance mode. This means that you can continue to study while gaining valuable work experience and starting to earn the excellent salaries that are available to you with your qualification.

Your first year

You will learn about the built environment, building and construction, materials and computer-aided design. Along with this, you’ll gain knowledge in accounting, law, finance and construction economics. You’ll also be introduced to the built environment and measuring systems.

Further study

If you successfully complete this qualification you could progress to a postgraduate qualification in construction like the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and the Master of Construction.

A Bachelor of Construction in Construction Management is a good fit if you:

  • want to work in construction
  • are an organised person
  • like meeting new people and work well in teams.

Planning information

The Bachelor of Construction is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second etc.

Part One: is a mix of construction and business courses; these courses form the foundation of your course.

Part Two: builds on these courses and you will learn about more complex building types and construction techniques, legal, project management and some estimating methods.

Part Three: includes more advanced courses in digital built environment, sustainability and innovation, procurement and tendering, managing equipment and built facilities, quality and a capstone project.

Over the three years you will study a schedule of courses with strong cross-links, thereby developing a multi-disciplinary approach, focussed on achieving innovation in the construction industry.

Planning

If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.

If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

It is highly recommended that you plan your entire year of study for this qualification to ensure all the courses are available in the appropriate semester you wish to enrol.

The first year courses are the same for both the Quantity Surveying and Construction Management majors. These courses introduce building materials, the building sector and estimating project costing, construction of domestic scale buildings, sustainable buildings and computer aided drawing.

First year courses also include core business courses such as finance, accounting and mathematics. The second year focuses on more specialised areas relating to the chosen major. The third year includes a capstone research project and is offered in block mode which allows students to work and study. Block mode enables students to attend short blocks of lectures instead of weekly lectures. Outside of these block courses, assessments, tutorials, and learning takes place online.

Practical experience

You will be required to complete a minimum of 600 hours of approved industry work experience relating to your chosen major. This gives you a balance of practical hands on experience to enhance their academic studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Core courses for the Bachelor of Construction

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Bachelor of Construction core courses

Construction Management courses

Part Two: Compulsory courses

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 127241 Property Market Principles 15 credits

A broad based introduction to property examined from both a New Zealand and international perspective. This course incorporates the use of technology in relation to all aspects of the property market.

View full course details
Course code: 152252 Project Management 15 credits

An introduction to the theory and methods employed in project management.

View full course details
Course code: 218201 Construction Technology and Services II 15 credits

This course covers the construction methods and materials used in commercial buildings. Students will examine installation of services and facilities for comfort and energy performance of commercial buildings including in a 3D digital environment.

Prerequisites: 218102 or 218172 Restrictions: 218271, 218273

View full course details
Course code: 218203 Principles of Measurement and Estimation 15 credits

The course covers the principles of measurement of building works. Students will integrate and apply preliminary and detailed estimating, and cost planning principles to make cost-related decisions.

Restrictions: 218211

View full course details
Course code: 218204 Construction Contracts and Legal Principles 15 credits

An introduction to basic legal principles and contexts that may affect construction projects in New Zealand including a basic introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi. It includes an introduction to Commonwealth legal systems and basic principles of the law of contract and tort. These are then extended to legal principles affecting construction contracts and an introduction to construction dispute resolution methods.

Restrictions: 218315

View full course details
Course code: 218224 Construction Technology and Services III 15 credits

The course covers the construction methods and materials used in infrastructure projects, including in 3D digital environment. Students will examine the design and installation of services and lifelines associated with infrastructure projects. The course will also describe the maintenance requirements for large infrastructure projects.

Prerequisites: 218201 or 218271 Restrictions: 218374

View full course details
Course code: 218228 Planning and Digital Built Environment for Construction Managers 15 credits

Students develop construction project-planning skills and apply these to the production of schedule-related information for decision-making. The practical application of schedule information to the digital approach to and digital simulation of design, construction and operation of buildings.

Restrictions: 218414 and 218226

View full course details
Course code: 218230 Construction Site Operations 15 credits

This course examines site practices, operations and control. Students will undertake planning and coordination of a construction site from project inception to completion. The course covers project documentation, compliance requirements and processes including health and safety management, stakeholder management, payment mechanisms, waste minimisation, and site layout optimisation based on a programme of works using digital simulation tools.

Restrictions: 218280

View full course details

Part Three

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 218324 Integrating Building Information and the Supply Chain 15 credits

The course provides knowledge and skills on project information management processes based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) platforms across different construction organisations and the supply chain. Students will learn how to integrate digital technologies with the construction supply chain to collaborate and increase productivity.

Restrictions: 218313

View full course details
Course code: 218327 Sustainability and Construction Innovation 15 credits

This course introduces students to the broader concepts of sustainability and innovation applied to the entire building lifecycle. The course examines sustainable development goals, environmental legislation and their implications on building production during the pre-construction phase, use/re-use, recycle, waste and innovations to minimise environmental impacts during the construction phase, innovations for sustainable maintenance during the post-construction phase and also innovations in deconstruction and reclaiming during the demolition phase as a means to enable a circular economy.

Restrictions: 218313

View full course details
Course code: 218328 Construction Professional Practice and Ethics 15 credits

This course continues the study of basic principles of the law affecting construction contracts into the wider area of construction law. These include principles of professional ethics and the roles and liabilities of construction professionals. The course introduces both legal principles and practical aspects of construction contracts including construction contract administration. The course also includes an exploration into more common construction dispute resolution methods such as statutory adjudication.

View full course details
Course code: 218329 Facilities Management for Construction Managers 15 credits

The course covers the concepts and principles of managing built facilities. It covers strategic aspects of facilities management, space planning management, support services, building performance, and sustainability. Review of software applications in facility management to also enable 6D digital asset management.

View full course details
Course code: 218330 Construction Procurement and Tendering 15 credits

This course explores the process of procuring and tendering construction projects, including in a digital environment such as e-Procurement and e-Tendering. Students investigate the principles and processes of various traditional and non-traditional procurement and tendering methods, prepare tender and contract documents, undertake contractual risks assessments, and analyse tenders.

View full course details
Course code: 218331 Construction Quality Assurance 15 credits

The course develops knowledge on the principles and concepts of quality in construction. This includes implementation of quality management, a legal and regulatory environment; quality assurance practices (methods, processes and systems); quality costing; quality planning and quality management in construction projects and activities.

View full course details
Course code: 218335 Construction Management and Equipment 15 credits

The course covers concepts and functional application of major categories of construction equipment. Students will develop systems and procedures for the efficient management of construction equipment using underlying concepts in methods and operational characteristics; selection and utilisation; lifecycle analysis; economic and financial considerations; health and safety management; and sustainability.

View full course details
Course code: 218336 Construction Management Capstone 15 credits

This course provides students with the opportunity to consolidate and apply the knowledge and skills they have developed over the course of the degree

Prerequisites: At least 45 credits from 2182xx Corequisites: 2 x 2183xx courses Restrictions: 218326, 218340

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations. 

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Can't meet the entry requirements?

If you do not have a strong background in mathematics, but do have an entrance qualification, then you will likely need to take an additional maths course at foundation level, either before or during the first year of your degree.

If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Potential careers include:

  • construction project management
  • construction and property development
  • consultancy
  • facilities management
  • government
  • insurance
  • mining
  • oil and gas
  • banking.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Massey's Bachelor of Construction is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This global professional body promotes and enforces international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Learn more

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

This qualification is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

Related study options