Why Study/Key Benefits

• The New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) is designed for students who want to build a career in quantity surveying for residential and commercial construction projects.

• It develops practical knowledge of construction measurement, estimating, cost planning, procurement, programming and financial administration of contracts.

• Students gain an understanding of construction materials, structural principles, building services, construction law and contracts.

• Full-time students complete work-experience components during the second year, helping them connect classroom learning with industry practice.

• The programme is recognised and accredited by professional bodies including the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) and the New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB).

• NZIQS has reciprocal membership arrangements with professional institutes in several countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Canada and Japan. Membership remains subject to the relevant professional body's requirements.

 

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme contains construction foundation courses at Level 5 and more advanced construction and quantity surveying courses at Level 6.

Level 5 courses:

- Introduction to Construction – CONS5001, 15 credits.

• Introduction to the construction industry.

• Construction processes and practices.

• Basic construction knowledge.

- Materials and Structural Principles – CONS5002, 15 credits.

• Construction materials.

• Structural principles.

• Building components and their functions.

- Environment – CONS5003, 15 credits.

• Environmental considerations in construction.

• Construction and sustainability.

- Services – CONS5004, 15 credits.

• Building services and systems.

• Services used in residential and commercial buildings.

- Construction 1 Residential – CONS5005, 15 credits.

• Residential construction methods.

• Building processes and components.

- Law and Contracts – CONS5006, 15 credits.

• Construction law.

• Contract principles and responsibilities.

- Introduction to Measurement and Estimation – CONS5007, 15 credits.

• Introduction to quantity measurement.

• Construction estimating principles.

- Estimation – CONS5508, 15 credits.

• Construction cost estimation.

• Estimating methods and cost calculations.

- Measurement 1 – CONS5509, 15 credits.

• Construction measurement techniques.

• Measurement of building work.

Level 6 courses:

- Construction 2 Commercial – CONS6001, 15 credits.

• Commercial construction methods.

• Building processes and project requirements.

- Financial Administration – CONS6002, 15 credits.

• Financial administration of construction contracts.

• Cost and financial management.

- Procurement – CONS6003, 15 credits.

• Construction procurement processes.

• Contract procurement and purchasing.

- Programming – CONS6004, 15 credits.

• Construction project programming.

• Planning and scheduling project activities.

- Measurement 2 – CONS6505, 15 credits.

• Advanced construction measurement.

• Quantity surveying calculations.

- Cost Planning – CONS6506, 15 credits.

• Construction cost planning.

• Budgeting and cost control.

- Regional Project Quantity Surveying – CONS6507, 15 credits.

• Applied quantity surveying project work.

• Regional construction project requirements.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme is specifically offered with a Quantity Surveying strand.

Main areas of study include:

• Quantity surveying.

• Construction measurement.

• Estimating and cost calculations.

• Construction cost planning.

• Construction financial administration.

• Construction procurement.

• Construction programming and scheduling.

• Residential and commercial construction.

• Construction law and contracts.

• Building materials and structural principles.

• Construction services and environmental considerations.

• Applied quantity surveying projects.

Programme Highlights

• 240-credit diploma at NZQF Level 6.

• Two-year full-time study option.

• February and July 2027 starts.

• Christchurch City Campus delivery.

• Part-time study option available.

• Focus on both residential and commercial construction projects.

• Work-experience components in the second year for full-time students.

• Covers measurement, estimating, cost planning, procurement and financial administration.

• Includes construction law, contracts and programming.

• Recognised and accredited by NZIQS and NZIOB.

• Provides a route towards professional membership, subject to the relevant professional requirements.

Career Outcomes

The programme is designed to prepare students for quantity surveying work in the construction industry.

Potential career pathways include:

• Assistant Quantity Surveyor.

• Quantity Surveyor.

• Estimator.

• Construction Cost Estimator.

• Cost Planning Assistant.

• Procurement or Contract Administration Assistant.

• Construction Project Support.

• Commercial Construction Cost Support.

The programme's professional recognition may support progression towards:

• Registered Quantity Surveyor status through the relevant NZIQS professional pathway.

• Chartered Building Professional status through the relevant NZIOB pathway.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The programme page currently advertises February and July 2027 intakes.

• The qualification is listed as available for a New Zealand study visa.

• The programme replaces the former National Diploma in Construction.

• Students who started but did not complete the previous National Diploma may be able to discuss cross-crediting into the new qualification.

• Ara may recognise previous study or relevant workplace learning and reduce the number of courses required.

• Full-time students complete work-experience components during the second year.

• Many classes are available in the late afternoon and evening as well as during the day.

• International students should confirm whether the part-time study option is suitable for their visa conditions.

• The programme page lists the 2026 international tuition fee, while Ara's newer 2027 international guide publishes a different indicative fee. The 2027 guide is the more relevant reference for a student planning to start in 2027.

International Student Visa Requirements

The programme is listed by Ara as potentially available for a New Zealand study visa. International students planning to attend the two-year full-time programme in Christchurch will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand's assessment.

Main visa requirements:

• An offer of place from Ara, an approved education provider.

• Evidence of payment of tuition fees, or sufficient funds to pay the required fees.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of stay.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Genuine intention to study.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient additional funds to purchase a ticket.

• Any further documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Visa cost and processing:

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

• Published processing estimate: 80% of applications within 7 weeks.

• Maximum possible visa duration: up to 4 years, depending on the course, fees paid and visa conditions.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before the intended travel date.

• The visa is normally issued for the period of study paid for, subject to passport validity and immigration conditions.

Living-funds requirement:

For tertiary study lasting one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand currently requires:

• NZD 20,000 for each year of study; or

• An acceptable sponsorship or financial undertaking that meets Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Students may provide acceptable financial evidence such as:

• Recent bank statements.

• Fixed-term deposit documents.

• Eligible education-loan documents.

• Scholarship letters.

• Acceptable sponsorship or financial undertaking documents.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions printed on the individual visa.

• Work rights are not automatic and must be confirmed from the eVisa or visa approval letter.

• Students must maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress.