Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Quantity Surveying for your Bachelor of Construction at Massey
The Bachelor of Construction will help you become a construction expert, contributing to all sectors of the construction industry.
Skills employers seek
You’ll work on projects from initiation to completion. You’ll be helping them to stay on track financially. It’s a challenging and interesting role where you’ll be looked to for your problem-solving skills to help the project go to plan.
Massey’s Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying) will teach you all the skills you need to be a sought-after quantity surveyor.
Digital technology is integral to your learning
Extensive use is made of digital technology during your study. It is embedded across most of your courses. You will use cutting edge software for measurement and costing All courses have an online teaching component and you can ask or answer questions during lectures. Core courses in quantity surveying will teach you vital skills 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 also choose to complete your final year in distance mode. So 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.
Your first year
You will learn about building and construction, materials and computer-aided design. Along with this, you’ll gain knowledge in administration, law, finance and construction economics. You’ll also be introduced to the built environment and measuring systems.
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 Bachelor of Construction in Quantity Surveying is a good fit if you:
- enjoy applied economics and mathematics
- enjoy working in teams, but you are also comfortable working independently
- are interested in a career offering great salaries.
Planning information
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: is 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, estimating and measurement methods, legal and project management.
Part Three: includes more advanced measurement, financial administration, procurement and tendering, risks and a capstone project.
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.
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 qualification 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 and estimating project costing, 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 personal research 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.
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 their academic studies.
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.
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.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Construction
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Construction core courses
Quantity Surveying courses
Part Two
Course code: 127241 Property Market Principles 15 credits
A broad based introduction to property examined from both a New Zealand and international perspective. This course incorporates the use of technology in relation to all aspects of the property market.
View full course detailsCourse code: 152252 Project Management 15 credits
An introduction to the theory and methods employed in project management.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218201 Construction Technology and Services II 15 credits
This course covers the construction methods and materials used in commercial buildings. Students will examine installation of services and facilities for comfort and energy performance of commercial buildings including in a 3D digital environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218203 Principles of Measurement and Estimation 15 credits
The course covers the principles of measurement of building works. Students will integrate and apply preliminary and detailed estimating, and cost planning principles to make cost-related decisions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218204 Construction Contracts and Legal Principles 15 credits
An introduction to basic legal principles and contexts that may affect construction projects in New Zealand including a basic introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi. It includes an introduction to Commonwealth legal systems and basic principles of the law of contract and tort. These are then extended to legal principles affecting construction contracts and an introduction to construction dispute resolution methods.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218220 Measurement I 15 credits
The course develops proficiency in the rules and basic processes of building measurement using appropriate Standard Method of Measurement of building works. Students will perform 2D quantity take-off to produce Bills of Quantities covering major trades and/or building elements using computer aided measuring and scheduling packages.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218224 Construction Technology and Services III 15 credits
The course covers the construction methods and materials used in infrastructure projects, including in 3D digital environment. Students will examine the design and installation of services and lifelines associated with infrastructure projects. The course will also describe the maintenance requirements for large infrastructure projects.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218226 Planning and Digital Built Environment for Quantity Surveyors 15 credits
Students develop construction project-planning skills and apply these to the production of cost-related information for decision-making. Students will cover practical application of cost information to the digital approach to and digital simulation of design, construction and operation of buildings.
View full course detailsPart Three
Course code: 218320 Civil & Services Measurement 15 credits
The course will develop proficiency in the measurement of civil engineering projects and building services using appropriate Standard Methods of Measurement. Students will perform 2D and 3D quantity take-off to produce Bills of Quantities for civil projects and for engineering services.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218321 Construction Estimation & Risks 15 credits
The course develops further construction estimating skills for bill preparation, tendering and decisions. Students in this course will identify and mitigate construction risks in dealing with preliminaries and strategies for fixing margins for profit and overheads.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218323 Measurement II 15 credits
Students will use industry standard software packages for building measurement and for the production of professional level schedules and Bills of Quantities for complex buildings and structures
View full course detailsCourse code: 218325 Post Contract Financial Administration 15 credits
The financial administration of construction projects after a contract has been awarded. Evaluation and preparation of progress claims, variations and fluctuations, extension of time claims and final accounts. Collation and presentation of contract documentation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218326 Quantity Surveying Capstone 15 credits
This course provides students with the opportunity to consolidate and apply the knowledge and skills they have developed over the course of the degree.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218327 Sustainability and Construction Innovation 15 credits
This course introduces students to the broader concepts of sustainability and innovation applied to the entire building lifecycle. The course examines sustainable development goals, environmental legislation and their implications on building production during the pre-construction phase, use/re-use, recycle, waste and innovations to minimise environmental impacts during the construction phase, innovations for sustainable maintenance during the post-construction phase and also innovations in deconstruction and reclaiming during the demolition phase as a means to enable a circular economy.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218328 Construction Professional Practice and Ethics 15 credits
This course continues the study of basic principles of the law affecting construction contracts into the wider area of construction law. These include principles of professional ethics and the roles and liabilities of construction professionals. The course introduces both legal principles and practical aspects of construction contracts including construction contract administration. The course also includes an exploration into more common construction dispute resolution methods such as statutory adjudication.
View full course detailsCourse code: 218330 Construction Procurement and Tendering 15 credits
This course explores the process of procuring and tendering construction projects, including in a digital environment such as e-Procurement and e-Tendering. Students investigate the principles and processes of various traditional and non-traditional procurement and tendering methods, prepare tender and contract documents, undertake contractual risks assessments, and analyse tenders.
View full course detailsEntry 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.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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.
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
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 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. 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.
What our students say
“Studying at Massey has been amazing! At the end of my first year, I started a cadetship at Kalmar Construction - which I have continued into my third year of study - doing the work of a Junior/Intermediate Quantity Surveyor.”
“My study experience at Massey was a great mixture of enjoyment and challenge. It gave me a broad introduction to the processes and knowledge required to be successful in the construction industry.”
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.
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.
Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)
The Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying major) is accredited by the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS).
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
This qualification is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Related study options
Planning Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Contribute to the design of better communities and sustainable use of resources with Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Planning Studies).
Planning Studies – Diploma in Arts
With Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Planning Studies) you can contribute to the design of better communities and sustainable use of resources.
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
Study the Master of Construction (Quantity Surveying) and gain the advanced skills and knowledge required of senior quantity surveyors and commercial managers.
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.
Sustainable Built Environment – Master of Construction
Learn the theory and practice for creating a sustainable built environment.
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