Bachelor of Construction – BConst

The Bachelor of Construction will help you become a highly sought-after construction expert who can contribute to all sectors of the construction industry.

Type of qualification

Bachelor's degree

Level of study

Undergraduate study

An undergraduate qualification is usually the first one you study.

More about study levels

NZQF level 7

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

3 years full-time (360 credits)
Up to 8 years part-time
Part-time available

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.

Study a Bachelor of Construction – BConst

The Massey University Bachelor of Construction will teach you how to develop and implement best practice building solutions and construction management techniques. You’ll learn how to add value to the sustainable development of the built environment. This qualification will give you sound technical and theoretical knowledge, industry experience, management and interpersonal skills.

Relevant to industry

There are two majors available - Quantity Surveying and Construction Management. These majors focus on relevant industry sectors, such as:

  • project management and quantity surveying consultancies
  • building renovation and earthquake strengthening
  • construction companies
  • development consortiums
  • local authorities and regulatory bodies
  • property development or property management
  • industrial and commercial building services
  • insurance rebuild costs.

Digital technology is integral

There is an emerging need in the industry for robust technical skills. You will make extensive use of digital technology during your study. All courses have the knowledge of digital built environment embedded so you are equipped to contribute to the transformation of practice. There are online teaching components where you can ask or answer questions during lectures. Some assignments will require you to prepare a video of your work. Core courses for construction will teach you vital digital such as: Computer Aided Drawing (CAD), computer modelling of buildings (BIM, Augmented and Virtual Reality).

Flexibility

Although you need to choose a major when you enrol, you can change from one major to another after one year of study.

You can choose to complete your final year in distance mode, so you can continue to study while gaining valuable work experience

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 BConst is a good fit if you:

  • are interested in buildings and how they are constructed
  • are looking for a career where no two days are the same
  • are interested in a career offering great salaries.

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.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

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

Recommended prior learning

You will need to have a good understanding of mathematics to at least Year 12 level.

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.

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.

Structure of the Bachelor of Construction

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: 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, property principles, legal, project management and costing methods.

Part Three: includes more advanced construction courses in procurement and tendering, sustainability and innovation, ethics and other courses relating to your chosen major.

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 programme 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, 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 focusses on more specialised areas relating to the chosen major. The third year includes a capstone 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.

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.

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 your academic studies.

Typical pattern for the Bachelor of Construction

Core courses These courses are a compulsory part of your qualification.

Major courses Choose from a selection of courses appropriate for your specialisation.

Year One
115112 Accounting for Business
218104 Mathematics and Structural Principles
218101 Building Materials, Elements and Regulation
218103 Construction Design and Drawings
115114 Finance Fundamentals
218102 Construction Technology & Services I
218105 Integrating Design & Delivery in Built Environment
218106 Construction Health, Safety & Wellbeing
218110 Construction Industry Work Experience I
0 credits
Year Two
127241 Property Market Principles
152252 Project Management
218201 Construction Technology & Services II
218203 Principles of Measurement & Estimation
218204 Construction Contracts and Legal Principles
218224 Construction Technology & Services III
200-level major
200-level major
218210 Construction Industry Work Experience II
0 credits
Year Three
218327 Sustainability & Construction Innovation
218328 Construction Professional Practice & Ethics
218330 Construction Procurement & Tendering
300-level major
300-level major
300-level major
300-level major
300-level major

Courses are each worth 15 credits.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

360 credits

  • Core courses – 120 credits
  • Major courses – 240 credits
  • 600 hours of practical work experience

This is a parts-based qualification. This means there are regulations around your completion of Part One before progressing to Part Two, etc.

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.

Part One: Core courses (Choose 120 credits from)

Choose 120 credits from
Course code: 115112 Accounting for Business 15 credits

An introduction to how accounting information is used for planning, monitoring and evaluating organisational performance.

Restrictions: 115102

View full course details
Course code: 115114 Finance Fundamentals 15 credits

This course introduces analytical techniques for evaluating personal and business investment and financing decisions, including coverage of the context and environment in which these decisions are made.

Restrictions: 115105

View full course details
Course code: 218101 Building Materials, Elements and Regulation 15 credits

The course introduces the basic principles of construction and building materials within New Zealand’s building codes context. Students will examine the basic properties, behaviours, performance and constraints of common construction materials. Students are introduced to key standards, guides and codes to building construction in New Zealand.

Restrictions: 218100

View full course details
Course code: 218102 Construction Technology and Services I 15 credits

This course will enable students to understand how components of residential buildings are assembled to create habitable and usable spaces. Students will explore the characteristics of various construction materials used in interior finishing. Students are introduced to the principles and applications of services and facilities for comfort and energy performance of residential buildings.

Restrictions: 218172

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Course code: 218103 Construction Design and Drawings 15 credits

This course introduces students to the production and interpretation of construction design and drawings. Students will learn basic design principles and produce two-dimensional technical drawings and three-dimensional models manually and using drafting software.

Restrictions: 218123

View full course details
Course code: 218104 Mathematics and Structural Principles 15 credits

The course is designed to improve student competency in construction-based mathematical calculations and tasks. It introduces basic structural principles and computations for structural integrity in building elements.

Restrictions: 160131, 160103

View full course details
Course code: 218105 Integrating Design and Delivery in Built Environment 15 credits

This course examines the nature and operations of the New Zealand construction industry. It examines the role and responsibilities of key industry players, their interactions and inter-relationships towards design and delivery of construction projects as a pre-cursor to implementing a collaborative working platform such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). The course reviews the legal position of the Treaty of Waitangi in relation to construction projects in New Zealand.

Restrictions: 218150

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Course code: 218106 Construction Health, Safety and Wellbeing 15 credits

This course examines the potential hazards and safety strategies of the construction workplace. Students will explore strategies for safe designs, hazard assessment and the implication of health and safety legislation. The course reviews construction-related health conditions and their mitigation strategies.

Restrictions: 218151

View full course details

Majors

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

A major is compulsory and requires 240 credits. You need to choose a major when you enrol but you can change from one major to the other during your first year of study.

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

You will be in demand

The New Zealand construction industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. This has led to acute shortages of construction graduates. The demand for construction graduates is expected to stay strong for many years.

Rapid career progression

There are opportunities in all sectors of the built environment. This includes new construction and civil projects, building restoration, earthquake strengthening and insurance valuation.

Wide range of employment

Quantity surveyors are typically involved in the feasibility and costing of projects and are also involved in financial control.

Construction managers are typically involved in all the activities connected to the physical execution of construction projects. They ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, at the right quality whilst also keeping with all health and safety requirements.

Both disciplines are vital to the successful conclusion of exciting projects. They could include new commercial buildings, bridges and motorways, agricultural facilities, or housing estates and the development of waterfront sites. Some graduates are self-employed or act as consultants, or work for a contractor.

Accreditations and rankings

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

Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)

The Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying major) is accredited by the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS).

Learn more

New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

The quantity surveying specialisations in the Bachelor of Construction and Master of Construction are accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors for graduate membership.

Learn more