Construction Management

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering is the preferred entry qualification, but candidates with other relevant degrees and/or suitable work experience will also be considered for admission to a PGCertEng, with the right to transfer to the MEngSt or ME if they perform well in the PGCertEng.

Prospective candidates should first complete and submit the postgraduate study application form, describing their qualifications, employment history, intended study programme, and including their research interests if intending to enrol for a PGCertEng, MEngSt, ME or PhD.

Once your application has been reviewed, you will be informed regarding your eligibility. Following this, you can then formally apply to enrol. If your qualifications are from overseas and the Department considers you eligible, you will need to apply for admission to the University.

The current demand for highly skilled Construction Managers is high, not only in New Zealand but also overseas. There is an overwhelming shortage of people with the appropriate CM knowledge and skills. Giving the increasing emphasis on creating new infrastructure, housing, and commercial growth there will be an increasing global shortage of Construction Managers in years to come.

The programme is designed to cater for a wide variety of students, including practising construction management professionals around NZ and recent graduates (including overseas graduates) wishing to acquire or upgrade their knowledge and skills or whom want to make the next step in their careers. Our programme uses a variety of teaching methods and we co-operate with a good pool of accredited academic staff and professionals to give the course its national and international relevance to the industry.

• Project management
• Procurement processes
• Risk management
• Cost estimation
• Management of labour, materials and equipment
• Infrastructure asset management

• ENCI601-24S1 Risk Management (Semester One 2024)
• ENCM620-24S1 Construction Procurement and Contract Administration (Semester One 2024)
• ENCM676-24S2 Construction Equipment and Heavy Construction Methods (Semester Two 2024)

You can study for the following qualifications:

• Certificate of Proficiency - COP - do a single course for professional development or to 'try out' the programme
• Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering - PGCertEng (CM)1,2 - advanced training for candidates. The PGCertEng (CM) involves four 15-point courses. This can be completed in half a year for full-time study or up to 2 years when studying part-time.
• Master of Engineering Studies - MEngSt (CM)1,2 - an advanced taught master's degree with no thesis requirement. The MEngSt (CM) involves eight 15-point courses (a small 30-point research project may be selected). This can be completed in one year for full-time study or up to 4 years when studying part-time.
• Master of Engineering - ME (CM)1,2 - a mix of course work and a thesis to develop independent problem solving skills through supervised research. The ME (CM) involves three 15-point courses plus a 120-point research project and thesis.
• Doctor of Philosophy - PhD - the highest academic degree on offer at UC, done by research only

1The CM programme is a postgraduate specialisation in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department. The degrees are engineering degrees with an endorsement in Construction Management except for the COP and PhD.

2Other courses may be chosen as part of the qualification (PGCert(CM), MEngSt(CM), ME(CM)), depending on approval of the programme director.

Note: 120 points is considered to constitute one year of full-time study.

Download the Construction Management Brochure here>

Construction Management courses are taught in 'block mode' so participants can study (part-time) while remaining in employment.

A course taught in block mode; typically involves:

• Attending two 2-3 day blocks
• Reading background material and completing assignments
• Project work and assignments that can be finished after the study blocks
• An examination at the end of the course (exam locations outside Christchurch are possible)

Support is provided for off-campus students via our library distance service and on-line teaching content system. Many working professionals opt for part-time study towards a degree. All degrees can be completed in both full-time as in part-time study.

Download the 2019 Engineering Studies in Construction Management brochure.

Various academic staff members are involved in construction management but the programme also hosts a number of regular visiting professors, including Neil Allan and Doug Gransberg. Furthermore the courses also have various guest speakers from the construction industry in New Zealand and academia from around the world.

See below for Staff contacts