Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying)

Your workload

Dunedin programme (for domestic and international students)

If you're studying full-time, you'll need to be able to commit to 37.5 hours of study per week.

You can study this programme part-time over six to seven years. Part-time paths of study are planned with each learner individually so you can fit your studies around work. 

Auckland programme (for international students only)

You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 300 hours per Study Block) on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study.

Entry requirements 

For those under 20

• NCEA Level 3 including:
  • 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
  • 10 literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of: 
    • 5 credits in reading, and
    • 5 credits in writing, and 
  • 12 numeracy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
    • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
    • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).

For those over 20

• You must supply evidence of industry experience and/or alternative relevant qualifications.  
• Provisional entry is possible. 

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Please note: Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Level 6) (Construction Management) (Quantity Surveying) will be credited the courses they have completed up to a maximum of 240 credits.   

Don't meet the entry requirements?

If you don't meet the requirements to enter this programme, our bridging programme is the perfect option (this is advertised as the bridging option into our engineering diploma but is a highly suitable pathway into this degree as well).

Alternatively, you could complete the New Zealand Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Level 3) (Carpentry). 

Got a diploma and already working in the industry?

If you already hold a diploma in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management, you could get credit recognition toward the third year of this degree and study part-time to complete it alongside your employment from anywhere in New Zealand. 

The remaining degree courses can be studied through a combination of online learning and by attending contact courses in Dunedin over a two-to-three year duration. 

Recognised diplomas

• Otago Polytechnic New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying): you can get direct entry to Year 3 of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying).
• Diploma in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management from any other NZ institution: you can enter Year 3 of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying), but you'll have to do up to four Year 1 and 2 courses.  

This degree is accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors and will make you eligible for Graduate Membership status.

Want your existing skills recognised? 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.

Fees Free 

If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get your first year of tuition fees for free. 

All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number. 

If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.   

Check whether you can access funding here >

Additional costs

You'll need a range of equipment and textbooks for this programme. 

• Programme equipment

Student Services Fee

For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.

Multi-year fees

The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.