Quantity Surveying – Master of Construction

Study the Master of Construction (Quantity Surveying) and gain the advanced skills and knowledge required of senior quantity surveyors and commercial managers.

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: 120-credit pathways available for applicants who meet Advanced Entry criteria

Specialise in Quantity Surveying for your Master of Construction at Massey

The Master of Construction (Quantity Surveying) is one of the first construction-focused management qualifications in New Zealand. It will provide you with the advanced skills and knowledge required of senior quantity surveyors and commercial managers. Massey’s Master of Construction courses are specifically developed for construction.

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.

Become an expert in managing construction finances

The quantity surveyor is the financial expert of a construction project, including:

  • preparing the feasibility studies
  • quantifying and measuring what is to be built
  • cost estimation and budgets
  • preparing the tender documents
  • advising on legal aspects
  • valuing the work
  • advising the client on payments
  • finalising the final accounts.

Gain the skills you need

During the Master of Construction (Quantity Surveying), you will develop these advanced proficiencies and more. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge to the contractual and financial management of large-scale and complex building and construction projects.

This will enable you to contribute to the provision of early cost advice, contract documentation and tendering. You’ll also contribute to the budgeting and contractual and financial management of all phases of the building and infrastructure development life cycle. This is from design through to construction and subsequent management, maintenance and remodelling of the asset.

Research-led learning from industry experts

You’ll learn from highly-acclaimed academics and experienced industry professionals who are experts in the field. Your lecturers and supervisors come from a range of relevant sectors. They have built extensive industry networks and are able to research and apply the latest thinking in the subject area. The knowledge you receive is current and industry-relevant.

A Master of Construction in Quantity Surveying is a good fit if you:

  • are interested in the financial aspects of construction
  • would like to fast-track your career into quantity surveying
  • are a construction professional who wishes to gain expertise in quantity surveying.

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

Quantity Surveying courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 60 credits from
Course 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.

Restrictions: 218711

View full course details
Course code: 218730 Construction Project Management 15 credits

Advanced construction project management principles and practice.

View full course details
Course code: 218780 Quantity Surveying Practice 15 credits

Pre contract Quantity Surveying practice including feasibility, preliminary estimates, cost plans, cash flow forecasting, life cycle costing and measurement.

View full course details
Course code: 218781 Construction Financial Administration 15 credits

Post- contract financial administration of construction projects including construction procurement and tendering, interim payments, variations, claims, and final accounts.

View full course details

Coursework Pathway

Course code: 218764 Construction Contracts and Administration 15 credits

Specialist areas of construction law including contractual risk analysis, comparative construction contracts, construction contract administration, and specialist topical areas such as modern plain English drafting, subcontracting, and modern methods of resolving disputes.

View full course details

Thesis 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.

Prerequisites: 218717 Restrictions: 218711

View full course details

Entry 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::

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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 qualification 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.

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.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

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.

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 and rankings

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

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

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

Related study options