Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management

Programme overview

The Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management is a great stepping stone if you want to move into management positions in the construction sector. Learn to apply project management knowledge to the construction industry to ensure contracts are completed on time and within budget. You'll be able to solve complex industry-related problems in teams and alone and provide leadership in a team environment.

Highlights

Professional development to stay at the forefront of the competitive construction sector.
An overview of project management theories, supply chain, people, and production management.
Relevant to your career: relate new knowledge and material directly to your workplace. You'll explore progressively more complex scenarios and develop the skills to schedule activities and resources on construction projects.
Application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) processes.
Emphasis on self-directed learning, with assessment and feedback throughout the programme, and exams at the end.
A mix of on-campus block courses (lectures, tutorials, team-based problem solving, research, discussions, and student presentations), eLearning, and assignments.
Part-time study options are available.
Suitable for architecture, construction industry, and property management staff from different backgrounds. A previous qualification is not required, but as places are limited, preference will be given to those with at least five years' of industry experience or a relevant undergraduate degree.
Gain exposure and experience with a wide number of construction software

Qualification

To graduate, you’ll need 120 credits, 75 of which need to be at level 7. See the courses below for your options.

Once you've completed this programme pathway, you'll receive the Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management qualification.

Career Options

Site manager
Project manager
Construction manager

Visit the Department of School of Building Construction

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students
$8,300 (NZD)
(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)

International students
$26,391 (approximate fees for 120 credit only)

Save upto $2,000 (NZD) with Unitec International Study Grant 2025.Terms and conditions apply.

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2025: 24 Feb – 29 Jun
Sem 2 2025: 21 Jul – 23 Nov
For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage. For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.

Downloads and resources

Software in Unitec Construction (PDF, 129KB) Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awards Student Life For Māori students For Pacific students For International students

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme.

Domestic students

Academic & Non-Academic requirements

You must have completed at least one of the following:

Completed a related/ similar undergraduate degree accredited by NZQA recognized: OR
Successful completion of New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Construction Management) or New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology or New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) AND have at least three years experience in the field of Quantity
Surveying or Construction Management: OR
Have a professional qualification in a relevant discipline AND be able to demonstrate competency equivalent to a graduate from qualifications; OR
Have a minimum of six years management experience in the field of construction or closely related industry and with the approval of the relevant Academic Authority to enrol

And meet one of the English entry requirements;

University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 160 KB)

International students

Academic requirements

As a part of this requirement, you must be at least 16 years of age and meet one of the following;

All applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement or
Successful completion of New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Construction Management) or New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology or New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) AND have at least three years experience in the field of Quantity: OR
Have a professional qualification in a relevant discipline AND be able to demonstrate competency equivalent to a graduate from qualifications; OR
Have a minimum of six years of management experience in the field of construction or closely related industry and with the approval of the relevant Academic Authority to enrol

And English entry requirements;

If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

Evidence of an IELTS (Academic) band score of at least 6 with no band score lower than 5.5; or
University Entrance Literacy: 8 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (4 in Reading, 4 in Writing); or
Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.

For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 160 KB)

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.

Courses	Credits	Aim
Project Management Principles (CONS6100)	15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to analyse a projects objectives and formulate a management plan for its execution.

Courses	Credits	Aim
Project Management Practice (CONS7200)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to analyse a projects resource needs and formulate a plan for their execution and management.

Courses	Credits	Aim
Contract Administration (CONS6812)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to apply the principles of contract law to New Zealand standard forms of contract.
Procurement (CONS6817)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to examine the relationship between a client’s strategic property needs and the procurement systems available to procure required capital works.
Development and Finance (CONS6906)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to explore the concept of property development and the concepts that underpin its management.

Courses	Credits	Aim
Measurement and Estimation 3 (CONS7203)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to be able to conduct cost modelling processes, quantify work to be done and prepare estimates of cost for moderately complex buildings for bidding purposes with a focus on building services and green buildings.
Measurement and Estimation 4 (CONS7204)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to be able to prepare estimates and provide professional advice on the cost of building construction.
Planning and Organisation 3 (CONS7403)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to critically analyse work sequencing to plan and manage construction work and manage construction work in complicated contexts
Planning and Organisation 4 (CONS7404)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to evaluate the complexity of integrating the conflicting interests and demands, which must be managed on a construction project and to derive project plans while considering all the relevant factors required in the context of complex projects.
Integrated Design and Construction Management (CONS7418)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to evaluate the processes for managing integration of the design and construction of commercial and industrial scale projects to achieve client needs, in a collaborative environment.
People Management (CONS7515)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to analyse theories regarding the management of people and interpret those theories into application within the construction industry.
Urban Economics (CONS7817)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to analyse urban development using economic theory as a framework and to use such analysis to evaluate property development markets.
Professional Business Management (CONS7820)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to evaluate the strategic management of consultancy, construction or property businesses, and their business management models and practices.
Property Management (CONS7905)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to understand the issues which apply to the management of property and portfolios of property, including operations, maintenance, strategic asset management, and computer based systems for building information management.
Property Development (CONS7906)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to evaluate the property development process, using a project-based learning approach, focused through the production of a speculative project development submission.
Property Investment (CONS7908)	15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to understand the property investment industry as a customer of the property development industry.

Graduate Diploma in Construction Project Management

Programme overview