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.

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: Not all listed subject course options are on offer every year.

Specialise in Quantity Surveying for your Postgraduate Diploma in Construction at Massey

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) is a pathway to in-depth research at a master's level.

This 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.

Gain the skills you need

During the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying), you will develop advanced proficiencies. You will gain advanced knowledge in quantity surveying and commercial and contractual management of construction projects, construction law and research.

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

Think differently

In this qualification, you’ll develop your capacity to think critically, logically and strategically. Through this, you can make informed and better decisions, and solve problems more effectively and ethically. You’ll learn how to apply problem-solving and analytical thinking skills to the analyses of, and solutions to, construction and building industry problems.

Planning

You’ll learn in-depth skills in conducting cost planning, design cost management and preparing budgets. You’ll participate and collaborate as valued peers with colleagues in the wider domains of construction and infrastructure management education, design, planning, construction and maintenance.

Project management and advice

You’ll learn how to provide cost advice and procurement as well as project management services. That includes managing and optimising projects and resources to achieve cost, time and quality targets. You’ll also gain the knowledge to act as an advisor on dispute resolution which may include arbitration, adjudication, mediation and negotiation, or an expert witness in construction disputes.

Further study

If you complete the qualification at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Master of Construction. If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the master's qualification.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Construction in Quantity Surveying is a good fit if you:

  • have an undergraduate construction degree
  • are particularly interested in the financial aspects of construction
  • would like to fast track your career into quantity surveying.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

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.

Compulsory courses

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: 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
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

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • the Bachelor of Construction degree, or equivalent, or
  • a relevant Bachelor’s degree followed by a relevant Postgraduate Certificate or an equivalent qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

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.

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.

Careers and job opportunities

When you graduate you could work in a number of areas.

You have the choice of working for construction businesses as an estimator, or for consultancies offering quantity surveying and project management services.

A key role would be working on the budgeting of construction projects. You’ll prepare tender and contract documentation and undertake project appraisals. You’ll offer procurement advice and carry out tender planning and adjudication at the tendering stages.

You will liaise between the client and the construction company, and draft and provide advice on contracts. You’ll also manage subcontractors and a number of other roles, and you may also undertake wider roles. These include arbitration, project management, expert witness, negotiations and dispute resolutions.

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.

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