Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Construction (Quantity Surveying) is designed for advanced study in the financial, contractual and commercial management of construction projects.
• Massey describes it as providing the advanced skills and knowledge required of senior quantity surveyors and commercial managers.
• Students develop advanced capability in feasibility studies, preliminary estimates, cost planning, cash-flow forecasting, measurement, tender documentation, contract administration, payments, claims and final accounts.
• The programme applies quantity-surveying knowledge to large-scale and complex building and infrastructure projects across the project lifecycle, from design and construction through later management, maintenance and remodelling.
• Teaching is research-led and involves academics and experienced industry professionals from relevant construction sectors.
• The qualification can be studied through distance/online delivery, which can provide flexibility for construction professionals continuing employment alongside study.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Quantity Surveying subject requires at least 75 credits within the specialisation.

Core Quantity Surveying courses include:

• 218717 Research Methods in Built Environment – research methodologies, literature analysis, data collection, data analysis and evaluation of construction research.
• 218730 Construction Project Management – advanced construction project management principles and practice.
• 218780 Quantity Surveying Practice – feasibility, preliminary estimates, cost plans, cash-flow forecasting, life-cycle costing and measurement.
• 218781 Construction Financial Administration – procurement and tendering, interim payments, variations, claims and final accounts.

Coursework pathway additional subject:

• 218764 Construction Contracts and Administration – contractual risk analysis, comparative construction contracts, contract administration, subcontracting, drafting and dispute resolution.

Thesis pathway additional subject:

• 218718 Advanced Research Methods in Built Environment – research proposal development, literature review, analytical processes and scientific reporting of findings.

The research component depends on the pathway:

• Coursework: 218810 Research Report, 45 credits.
• Thesis: 90-credit thesis, completed through the applicable thesis courses.

The wider Master of Construction course schedules also contain electives such as:

• International Construction
• Advanced Construction Planning and Scheduling
• Building Information Modelling Practices
• Digital Technology Applications in Construction
• Sustainable Buildings and Structures
• Sustainability and Climate Change for Construction Industry
• Advanced Construction Technology.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Master of Construction can be completed with or without a subject. Current subjects include:

• Construction Law
• Construction Project Management
• Digital Built Environment
• Quantity Surveying
• Sustainable Built Environment
• Without specialisation

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 9 master's degree.
• Quantity Surveying specialisation focused specifically on advanced construction financial and commercial management.
• Auckland campus and distance/online delivery.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• 120-credit Advanced Entry option for eligible applicants.
• Standard 180-credit pathway also available.
• Coursework and thesis/research pathways.
• Minimum 75 credits required in the Quantity Surveying subject.
• 45-credit research report in the 180-credit coursework pathway.
• 90-credit thesis in the research pathway.
• Quantity Surveying specialisation accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) for graduate membership.
• The Master of Construction is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
• The programme is designed around construction-specific postgraduate courses rather than a general business master's.

Career Outcomes

The programme is designed for advanced roles associated with quantity surveying and commercial management.

Massey identifies the quantity surveyor as the financial expert within a construction project, with responsibilities that can include:

• Feasibility studies
• Quantity measurement
• Cost estimation
• Budgeting
• Cost planning
• Tender documentation
• Contractual advice
• Valuation of work
• Payment advice
• Final accounts.

Potential professional areas include:

• Senior quantity surveying
• Commercial management
• Construction cost management
• Cost planning
• Estimating
• Procurement and tendering
• Contract administration
• Construction financial administration
• Claims and variations
• Construction consultancy
• Project management
• Construction development and infrastructure projects

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme page confirms that the Quantity Surveying specialisation remains open to new students.
• The programme has both coursework and thesis pathways.
• Advanced Entry can reduce the study requirement to 120 credits for qualifying applicants.
• Coursework Advanced Entry students must achieve at least a B average across their first 60 credits in Part One before progressing to Part Two.
• Thesis-pathway students must achieve at least a B+ average across their first 60 credits in Part One for progression.
• Students entering through certain prior qualifications may apply for credit towards Part One.
• Research-pathway applicants must provide a research-interest summary of no more than 200 words.
• Applicants using professional experience as part of their admission evidence must provide a CV covering at least the previous five years of education and employment.
• The Quantity Surveying specialisation is accredited by NZIQS for graduate membership.
• The overall Master of Construction is accredited by CIOB.
• Programme-specific 2027 intake date: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Programme-specific 2027 tuition fee: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• IPU-specific admission, credit-transfer and articulation information: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who physically study this programme in New Zealand would generally require a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance as required by the education provider.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Genuine intentions to study in New Zealand.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay or otherwise has appropriate lawful immigration status.