Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Sustainable Built Environment for your Master of Construction at Massey
The strategies and techniques of sustainable design and construction for the built environment include:
- Green procurement
- Design for Excellence (DfX)
- Sustainable construction techniques and practice
- Zero-carbon buildings
- Constructability, operation and maintenance considerations.
Climate change presents specific challenges that require innovations during the entire lifecycle of projects. You’ll be introduced to many aspects influencing the building project lifecycle including:
- Climate change
- The principles of sustainability
- The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the built environment.
You’ll be able to lead the development of sustainable built environments and zero-carbon built environment industry initiatives.
120-credit option
You can complete the Master of Construction with 120 credits of study if you enter via one of these Advanced Entry pathways:
- a Bachelor of Construction plus two years of post-study professional experience; or
- a Bachelor of Construction (Honours); or
- a four-year Bachelor with Honours degree in a construction-related field.
A Master of Construction in Sustainable Built Environment is a good fit if you:
- have an undergraduate qualification in construction, quantity surveying, architecture, property, engineering or other relevant qualification
- are interested in postgraduate construction study
- want to develop your understanding of sustainability in the construction industry.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
If you enter the Master of Construction (Coursework pathway) with a Bachelor of Construction plus two years of professional experience, or Bachelor of Construction (Honours), or four year Bachelor with Honours degree, your qualification will consist of 120 credits including a 45 credit research report.
For progression from Part One to Part Two of the Master of Construction (Coursework pathway) you achieve a minimum B grade average over the first 60 credits in Part One.
For progression from Part One to Part Two of the Master of Construction (Thesis pathway) you must achieve a minimum B+ grade average over the first 60 credits in Part One.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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.
Schedule B and Schedule C courses for the Master of Construction
Master of Construction research, coursework and elective courses
Sustainable Built Environment courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 127702 Sustainable Property Development 15 credits
A study of the theory and practice of sustainable property development.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218715 Sustainability and Climate Change for Construction Industry 15 credits
Climate change presents specific challenges to the domestic and international construction industry, requiring innovations during the entire lifecycle of projects. This course introduces students to aspects of climate change, principles of sustainability, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to the built environment. It focuses on the specific implications of climate change for the construction industry and ways in which the industry can take leadership in promoting sustainability.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218717 Research Methods in Built Environment 15 credits
This course develops skills critical to the analysis, synthesis and review of literature; discusses a range of research methodologies; reviews tools and techniques for data collection; examines data analysis techniques and their application in construction research; and outlines the evaluation of research findings.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218769 Energy-Efficient Building Design 15 credits
This course examines approaches to reducing energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings resulting from the design and use of the building and its energy services. The course covers the principles of energy-efficient building design as well as use and interpretation of energy and sustainability audits. Identification of options for reducing energy use through renovation and retrofitting as well as occupant behaviour are also covered.
View full course detailsCoursework Pathway
Course code: 218714 Sustainable Buildings and Structures 15 credits
Strategies and techniques of sustainable design and construction for the built environment, including green procurement, Design for Excellence (DfX), construction techniques and practice, zero-carbon buildings, constructability and operation and maintenance considerations.
View full course detailsThesis Pathway
Course code: 218718 Advanced Research Methods in Built Environment 15 credits
This course addresses the development of research skills required for advanced research in the built environment, from developing a research proposal, reviewing literature and applying analytical processes through to the key features of scientific reporting of findings.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Master of Construction (thesis pathway) you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a construction related four year Bachelor with Honours degree or a Bachelor of Construction (Honours) or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Honours year; or
- have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree followed by a relevant Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum grade average of B+ over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Certificate, or equivalent.
To enter the Master of Construction (coursework pathway) you will::
- have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B across the highest level courses; or
- have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction or equivalent qualification and have completed at least two years of relevant post-study professional experience; or
- have been awarded or qualified for a construction related four year Bachelor with Honours degree or a Bachelor of Construction (Honours) or equivalent qualification; or
- have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction followed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Diploma; or
- have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree followed by a relevant Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Certificate, or equivalent.
If you are admitted into the thesis pathway, or the coursework pathway under 3, 4 or 5 above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Documents you will need to supply to support your application:
- copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
- a copy of your current curriculum vitae (CV) including education and employment for at least the last five years if you are applying on the basis of a bachelor degree and professional experience
- a short summary of your research interests (200 words or less). Required if you intend to take the research pathway.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
Construction consultants, public policy, engineering consultants and government agencies all require skilled people with a knowledge and understanding of how climate change and zero carbon initiatives will impact the built environment and how to create a more sustainable construction industry.
Related study options
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Quantity Surveying – Postgraduate Diploma in Construction
The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) is a stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master’s. Gain advanced skills and knowledge required of senior quantity surveyors and commercial managers.
Quantity Surveying – Master of Construction
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Quantity Surveying – Bachelor of Construction
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Quantity Surveying – Bachelor of Construction (Honours)
Become a construction expert who can contribute to all sectors of the construction industry with Massey's Bachelor of Construction (Honours) (Quantity Surveying).
Sustainable Built Environment – Postgraduate Diploma in Construction
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Sustainable Built Environment) you’ll learn strategies and techniques for sustainable design and construction of built environments.
Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Construction
The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction is a stepping stone to a research-based degree. You’ll become a construction professional, with relevant knowledge and skills the industry needs.
Without Specialisation – Master of Construction
Build in-depth knowledge of construction with Massey’s Master of Construction.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz