Join the only construction qualification in New Zealand accredited by the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS), the NZ Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Bachelor of Construction will help you become a construction expert who can contribute to all sectors of the construction industry, highly sought-after by employers and internationally recognised.
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, and its use, by integrating sound technical and theoretical knowledge with industry experience, management and interpersonal skills.
There is great demand for people with a Bachelor of Construction. Most students are offered employment before they have even completed their qualification.
As a construction graduate you will be in line for the excellent starting salaries that are available in the industry. As you progress through your career, salary levels remain higher than for many other sectors. Many graduates are able to have their own business within 10 years of graduation.
This degree is internationally-accredited so your qualification will be recognised in most parts of the world.
Massey University’s programme is ranked in the top 200 university built environment programmes in the world by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings.
There are two majors available - Quantity Surveying and Construction Management. These majors focus on relevant industry sectors, such as:
Extensive use is made of digital technology during your study towards your construction degree. 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 will teach you vital digital skills including Computer Aided drawing (CAD) and computer modelling of buildings (BIM).
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. 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.
A 2017 Ministry of Education publication The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates showed that those who complete a qualification in a science, agriculture, technology,building, computer science, engineering or mathematics field of study have high relative earnings after they complete their study compared to the national median. Earnings can be substantially more than other graduates.
You will learn about 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.
“The papers I completed at Massey University were essential to being able to navigate the measuring software I use every day in my work …”
During my time at Massey, I found surrounding myself with strong individuals encouraged me to do my best and succeed. I became involved in organisations such as Te Waka, Maori@Massey and Pasifika@Massey which help give students the necessary skills to do well during our time at university. These organisations work hard to bring Maori and Pasifika students together to socialise, celebrate our different cultures and study together.
The three years I spent studying at Massey University were challenging. I found the key was asking for help when you needed it as the lecturers were very supportive. The papers I completed at Massey University were essential to being able to navigate the measuring software I use every day in my work. The economic and law papers I studied have also assisted with the processing of payment schedules.
During the last semester of my studies I secured a cadetship with Rider Levett Bucknall and when I completed my degree I was employed as a graduate quantity surveyor. There is a wealth of knowledge at RLB and I try to learn as much as possible from the people I work with. It is incredibly rewarding seeing a finished project that I helped to complete, and I plan to continue to work in the New Zealand construction industry contributing to projects that grow our country’s economy.
The New Zealand construction industry is experiencing unprecedented growth which has led to acute shortages of construction graduates. This growth is due to the rebuild of Christchurch, population growth in Auckland, and growth in the export sectors. The demand for construction graduates is expected to stay strong for many years. Demand for construction graduates is equally strong in the UK and many parts of Europe leading to extensive international opportunities.
There are opportunities in all sectors of the built environment including new construction and civil projects, building restoration, earthquake strengthening and insurance valuation. Construction graduates gain employment within dynamic teams and can be equipped to lead significant developments within a few years of graduation.
Quantity surveyors are typically involved in the feasibility, costing and financial control of projects. Construction managers are typically involved in managing the health and safety and resource optimisation of projects. Both disciplines are vital to the successful conclusion of exciting projects from new commercial buildings, bridges and motorways, housing estates and development of waterfront sites. Graduates may be self-employed or act as consultants for clients or banks, or work for a contractor. Bachelor of Construction graduates will enjoy varying and challenging careers across a range of industries and sectors.
“The commitment of senior staff at Massey University to raising the standards of teaching and research in New Zealand is exceptional. There is no doubt that the School is heading in a direction which would make it one of the best programmes in the world and that is due to the staff. We see this in the exceptional standard of students that leave Massey and join the construction industry”.
Ron Macdonald
Ebert, General Manager, Northern Region
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