The aim of this qualification is to enable school leavers and people seeking re-training or career change to gain knowledge, skills and personal attributes or dispositions to work in the construction industry as construction managers or quantity surveyors working with residential and commercial buildings, major construction projects and specialist areas.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
1. Effectively deploy the body of technical, applied and legal knowledge to a range of construction projects
2. Use effective communication and negotiation skills in a range of organisational, professional, social, and multi-cultural contexts
3. Work safely, ethically and productively as individuals, and collaboratively as effective members of project teams
4. Apply research processes to investigate industry issues and critically evaluate options to produce solutions
5. Critically review practice and engage in life-long learning.
Construction Management graduates will also be able to:
6. Plan and manage construction projects
7. Manage the use of resources in a sustainable manner
8. Provide advice on construction methodology on development options through the life-cycle of a construction project
9. Provide advice to improve the productivity of construction projects.
Quantity Surveying graduates will also be able to:
10. Plan, measure and estimate costs for construction projects
11. Provide strategic, budgetary and financial advice on development options through the life-cycle of a construction project
12. Provide financial administration to construction contracts
13. Apply elements of construction economic theory to provide advice on the risks and uncertainty associated with cost-related project outcomes.

Graduates of this qualification may pursue further tertiary study at post graduate level in the field of construction management or quantity surveying. Other pathways may include higher degrees in construction, project management or building science.

Academic Requirements
New Zealand University Entrance:
NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include
14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved subjects*
and
Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing, and
Mathematics - 12 credits in Maths at Level 2 or above (excluding Statistics)

Note: Students who have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge examination) should contact Ara for requirements.

* NZQA approved subjects: see here

Alternative Requirements
Skills for tertiary study (including literacy and numeracy) may be acquired through study, work and/or life experience. Students who can demonstrate these skills while not meeting the above requirements may be approved for alternative entry. Literacy and numeracy assessments are available.

English Requirements
If English is not your first language you may also be required to provide evidence of your English language skills as listed below. If you have no evidence of your English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, contact us for an assessment.
* IELTS 6.0 Academic (no lower than 5.5 in any subtest). For acceptable alternatives refer to the English Proficiency Outcomes Chart on Ara Institute of Canterbury's website.
Note: IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
Students who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.
Admission
Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted into the programme in the order their applications are received.