New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying)

The New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) prepares you with the specific knowledge and skills you’ll need to assist with all stages of quantity surveying under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.

You’ll learn to measure and estimate building work and carry out financial administration associated with construction projects, including ensuring that construction costs and production are managed as efficiently as possible.

This diploma will help you develop the following trade-specific skills:

• Analysing and presenting feasibility information and preliminary estimates to clients
• Assembling quantity surveying documentation relevant to specialist and specific trade sectors, measuring quantities, and preparing a schedule of quantities for small and medium building projects of an individual trade.
• Using tender process knowledge, collating all priced components into a tender submission for small, medium, and large buildings.

Highlights

• Apply learning to real-world scenarios using the latest construction costing and finance technologies. Emphasis on real-world applications using the latest technologies in construction costing and finance.
• Nationally recognized qualification. This qualification is nationally recognised by professional organisations like the NZ Insitute of Quantity Surveyors.
• Graduate work-ready. You’ll gain key skills and knowledge that will enable you to move confidently into work, assisting with all stages of quantity surveying under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.
• Prepare for Site 2 License. Once you’ve graduated, you can apply to get a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) Site 2 License, which recognises you as a competent professional in your chosen field.
• Move into further study. Easy transition into Unitec’s Bachelor of Construction in any of our three majors: Construction Management, Construction Economics, or Property Development. Cross-credits up to 210 credits.

Study Option

The New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) is designed with flexibility in mind. All courses are delivered in the evenings, making it ideal for those working full-time, managing family commitments, or beginning their career in construction. Whether you’re upskilling or starting fresh, this programme fits around your lifestyle.

Develop the necessary skills to succeed

It’s our job to ensure that when you walk across that graduation platform, you’re prepared and work-ready. Alongside specialist knowledge and skills in construction management, you’ll need a solid foundation in building and construction – and that’s exactly what you’ll gain in this diploma:

• **Technical knowledge.**Develop an understanding of contract analysis and selection, ongoing planning, and monitoring, how to evaluate and select materials and finishes for their environmental impact, and apply knowledge of the structure and structural principles.
• Communication. Effectively communicate with all parties involved in a construction contract using organisational principles, digital technologies, and industry best practices.
• Industry preparedness. Apply knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders to administer and manage a construction contract while operating within New Zealand building and construction legislative and regulatory frameworks.

Create your future in quantity surveying

New Zealand’s construction industry has seen continued growth over the past decade and is one of the country’s largest employers. However, despite there being over 170,000 people employed in this sector in the first quarter of 2021, there has been a significant rise in quantity surveyors in recent years. Employment is forecast to grow 3.3% per year to 2023 and 2.3% per year to 2028*. This should mean there are good opportunities for new quantity surveyors to enter the profession.
*Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Become a qualified quantity surveyor

You’ll learn additional management skills with further study, like Unitec’s Bachelor of Construction (Construction Economics). You can work independently in many jobs, including as a qualified quantity surveyor. 
With additional training and/or experience, you may also be able to work as a:

• Senior quantity surveyor
• Registered quantity surveyor
• Estimator
• Quantity surveying consultant/contractor
• Procurement manager
• Senior/cost manager
• Quantity surveying tutor

Preparing for study

You’ll need the right equipment to meet health and safety requirements for on-site visits. This includes:

• Safety boots (steel-capped shoes)
• High visibility vest
• Hard hat

Career Options

• Contract administrator
• Subcontractor quantity surveyor
• Subcontractor quantity surveyor

Annual Tuition Fees

Domestic/NZ students

$7,900

(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

$26,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits) Save upto $2,000 (NZD) with Unitec International Study Grant 2026.Terms and conditions apply.

Semester Dates

Sem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun

Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 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

Programme regulations - New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students