Why Study / Key Benefits

UCOL's New Zealand Diploma in Construction is designed for students who want to develop professional knowledge and practical skills for managing construction projects or working in quantity surveying.

Key benefits include:

• Develop an understanding of construction projects from planning and tendering through to contract administration and completion.

• Learn how to manage construction resources, project schedules, budgets and subcontractors.

• Build knowledge of construction legislation, health and safety, building regulations and industry standards.

• Understand building materials, structural systems, building services and construction methods.

• Gain skills in estimating, tendering, measurement and financial management.

• Learn to prepare construction plans, reports, cost estimates and project documentation.

• Choose between two specialist strands: Construction Management and Quantity Surveying.

• Develop skills relevant to the New Zealand construction industry and its regulatory environment.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The diploma comprises 13 compulsory courses worth 195 credits, followed by one of two 45-credit specialisation strands.

Compulsory courses – 195 credits

1. Communication in the Construction Industry – 15 credits

• Roles and responsibilities in the construction industry.

• Communication protocols for construction projects.

• Establishing and monitoring project communication procedures.

• Key New Zealand construction legislation and regulations.

• The relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to the construction industry.

2. Tendering Administration Processes for Construction Projects – 15 credits

• Legislation affecting construction and design.

• Health and safety requirements.

• Tender documentation and processes.

• Pre-contract administration.

• Evaluating tenders for Category 2 buildings.

3. Contract Administration for Valuing Building Works – 15 credits

• Construction contract administration.

• Post-tender administration processes.

• Preparing progress claims.

• Valuing completed work and variations.

• Cost fluctuations and extension-of-time claims.

• Evaluating progress claims and contract documentation.

4. Materials in Construction Projects – 15 credits

• Building materials and finishes.

• Environmental factors affecting material selection.

• Building Code requirements.

• Sustainability and buildability.

• Material characteristics, performance and compatibility.

5. Services for Construction Projects – 15 credits

• Building services and their operating principles.

• Environmental impacts on building services.

• Coordination and placement of services.

• Service installation and reticulation.

• Relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.

6. Structures for Residential Construction Projects – 15 credits

• Residential construction structures.

• Site limitations and building requirements.

• Foundations and structural systems.

• Bracing and internal and external finishes.

• NZS 3604 and Building Code requirements.

• Technical sketches and construction drawings.

7. Feasibility and Analytical Reports for Construction Projects – 15 credits

• Construction site limitations.

• Feasibility and environmental studies.

• Legislative requirements.

• Assessing existing building conditions.

• Identifying repair and alteration requirements.

• Preparing analytical reports and technical sketches.

8. Commercial Construction 1 – 15 credits

• Commercial building construction.

• Structural principles and specific design.

• Multi-level building requirements.

• Building loads and structural considerations.

• Fire protection systems and their impact on building design.

9. Commercial Construction 2 – 15 credits

• Building Code and Resource Management Act requirements.

• Commercial building design and end-user requirements.

• Health, safety and accessibility.

• Commercial building services.

• Materials, linings, joinery and finishes.

• Introduction to Building Information Modelling (BIM).

10. Residential Estimation – 15 credits

• Estimating costs for residential construction projects.

• Calculating labour and material costs.

• Obtaining supplier and trade quotations.

• Tender preparation.

• On-costs and overheads.

• Preparing schedules of quantities.

11. Residential Tendering – 15 credits

• Preparing construction bids.

• Identifying project risks and opportunities.

• Coordinating tender information.

• Consulting with relevant stakeholders.

• Preparing and assembling tender submissions.

12. Construction Programming and Construction Methodology – 15 credits

• Pre-contract and post-contract construction programmes.

• Construction activities and resource planning.

• Developing project schedules and Gantt charts.

• Sequencing construction activities.

• Monitoring and adjusting project programmes.

• Construction methodology for medium-sized buildings.

13. Personnel Management – 15 credits

• Construction business and corporate structures.

• Problem-solving in construction environments.

• Staff and resource coordination.

• Workplace health and safety meetings.

• Giving written and verbal instructions.

• Improving productivity and team performance.

• Construction project completion documentation.

Specialisation A – Construction Management (45 credits)

Students choosing Construction Management complete:

1. Site Management – 15 credits

• Site safety planning.

• Quality assurance plans.

• Resource management.

• Subcontractor management.

• Construction site operations.

2. Construction Planning – 15 credits

• Pre-tender construction planning.

• Post-tender project planning.

• Project constraints and risk management.

• Health and safety, budgets and timelines.

• Plant, materials, subcontractors and resources.

3. Health and Safety and Quality Assurance in Construction – 15 credits

• Implementing site safety plans.

• Implementing quality assurance plans.

• Construction site safety and quality management.

• Site setting-out and survey plans.

• Use of levels and surveying equipment.

Specialisation B – Quantity Surveying (45 credits)

Students choosing Quantity Surveying complete:

1. Measurement – 15 credits

• Preparing schedules of quantities.

• Measuring specialist construction trades.

• Construction documentation.

• Measurement of civil engineering work.

• Producing schedules of quantities for construction projects.

2. Measurement and Estimation Commercial – 15 credits

• Commercial construction measurement.

• Building rates for schedules of quantities.

• Tender preparation.

• Calculating profit, overheads and on-costs.

• Preparing project tenders.

3. Preliminary Estimates – 15 credits

• Preliminary construction estimates.

• Elemental cost planning.

• Project budgeting.

• Construction cash-flow statements.

• Preparing estimates for medium-sized buildings.

10. Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme offers two formal strands:

- Construction Management:

• Site management.

• Construction planning.

• Construction project coordination.

• Health and safety management.

• Quality assurance.

• Resource and subcontractor management.

- Quantity Surveying:

• Construction measurement.

• Quantity surveying.

• Cost estimation.

• Commercial construction measurement.

• Tendering and bidding.

• Project budgets and cash-flow planning.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 6 qualification.

• 240-credit diploma.

• Two years of full-time study.

• Part-time study option available.

• Two specialist strands to choose from.

• Approximately 20 hours of scheduled class learning each week.

• Approximately 13 hours of independent study each week.

• Training in New Zealand construction legislation and standards.

• Construction project planning, tendering and contract administration.

• Practical knowledge of construction materials, structures and building services.

• Specialist training in either site management or quantity surveying.

• Learning relevant to residential and commercial construction projects.

Career Outcomes

Graduates may pursue career opportunities in either Construction Management or Quantity Surveying.

Construction Management career pathways:

• Construction Site Coordinator.

• Site Management Assistant.

• Construction Project Administrator.

• Construction Project Coordinator.

• Health and Safety Coordinator.

• Construction Contract Administrator.

• Assistant Construction Manager.

• On-site Construction Management roles.

Quantity Surveying career pathways:

• Assistant Quantity Surveyor.

• Quantity Surveying Technician.

• Construction Estimator.

• Residential Building Estimator.

• Commercial Building Estimator.

• Construction Contract Administrator.

• Construction Costing Assistant.

• Tendering and Estimating Assistant.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

2027 intake information

• UCOL's programme directory lists a February 2027 start.

• The individual programme page still displays 2026 dates and fees.

• The final 2027 programme timetable and international application deadline should be confirmed directly with UCOL.

Attendance and study expectations

• UCOL strongly recommends 100% attendance to support student success.

• Students should be prepared for both classroom learning and independent study.

• The timetable is set by the programme lecturer.

Physical and learning requirements

• Students should be aware of the physical requirements of working in construction environments.

• Applicants with special learning or physical requirements should advise the Programme Leader in writing before the programme begins.

Recognition of Prior Learning

UCOL may consider applications for:

• Cross Credit.

• Credit Transfer.

• Assessment of Prior Learning.

Applications are assessed individually in accordance with UCOL's academic policies and procedures.

Additional equipment and costs

UCOL lists the following indicative additional costs:

• Steel-cap safety boots: NZD 100.

• Scientific calculator: NZD 30.

• Drawing equipment, including set squares, pencils, eraser, compass and scale rule: approximately NZD 60.

• Estimated total for the listed basic items: approximately NZD 150.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this full-time diploma in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Visa application requirements

Applicants generally need to:

• Receive an Offer of Place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Meet UCOL's academic and English-language entry requirements.

• Pay the required tuition fees or provide acceptable evidence of funding.

• Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Meet health and character requirements.

• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.

• Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.

• Provide evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Financial requirements

Immigration New Zealand currently requires tertiary students to demonstrate access to:

• NZD 20,000 for each year of study for courses lasting one year or longer; or

• NZD 1,667 per month for courses shorter than one year.

Students must also demonstrate that they can pay their tuition fees and meet onward-travel requirements. Accepted evidence may include bank statements, eligible sponsorship, scholarships or education loans.

Visa cost and processing

Immigration New Zealand currently lists:

• Fee Paying Student Visa application cost: from NZD 850.

• Processing time: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years, depending on the course and circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before the intended travel date. These fees and processing times may change.

Student work rights

• Eligible student visa holders may be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during their studies.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays may be permitted if the visa conditions allow it.

• Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of a course value of 120 credits and information about scheduled holidays for full-time holiday work rights.

• This diploma is a 240-credit qualification, so it meets the stated credit threshold. However, students must still provide course and holiday information and have the relevant work rights recorded on their eVisa.

• Students must check their individual visa conditions before accepting employment.

Health and insurance

• Students must meet Immigration New Zealand's health requirements.

• A medical examination or chest X-ray may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances.

• Students must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

• Applicants must also meet character requirements and provide police certificates if required.