New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying)

You will study a total of 240 credits. 

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

Academic requirements

• NCEA Level 2, including mathematics.

• NCEA Level 1, including literacy.

• Or a relevant qualification at NZQCF Level 4 OR above.

• Or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.

International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

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 internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).

Upon successful completion of this diploma, you can gain direct entry to the final year of the Bachelor of Construction (Quantity Surveying), which you can study full-time (one year). Students who wish to progress to the bachelor's degree must meet the English language entry requirements outlined above.

The degree will provide broader skills around business and construction law, and management so is geared towards a more senior level. Graduates would initially still enter the industry as Consultants, Estimators, Contract Administrators, or Contracts Managers. Then, upon gaining sufficient experience can apply for more senior positions, without first needing further study. 

Postgraduate study is available for degree graduates. Massey University offers a Master’s degree in Construction with majors in Construction Project Management, Quantity Surveying, and Construction Law. 

There is no requirement for learners to complete an internship or similar component. However, if the circumstances are appropriate and conducive to an individual learner’s needs, there is a possibility to meet programme requirements through workplace learning. We will continue to have managed student projects off campus to enable all learners to approach the ‘commercial competence’ that is written into this qualification. Year two learners who are not in workplace learning arrangements will have additional ‘leading hand’ level responsibilities and tasking within these outside projects.

Any programme of study, course or course occurrence may be cancelled or postponed where there are insufficient numbers. As far as is practically possible, we avoid cancelling or making other significant changes less than two weeks before the programme starts (or five working days for short courses). If this happens, we will do our best to suggest alternative study options for you. If you don’t want to do the alternative programme, we will give you a full refund. If a programme change affects your visa status, we will let you know and support you to find an alternative option. We also advise Immigration New Zealand of any programme change that will affect international students.