Master of Construction Law

Advance your legal or building industry career with a specialised qualification tailored to working professionals.

Make a smart career move

Discover new opportunities and elevate your career trajectory with the Master of Construction Law at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

If you’re a practising lawyer or a professional in the building industry, the MConsLaw is the ideal way to gain advanced expertise about legal and dispute-resolution issues in the industry.

Whether you have a background as an architect, lawyer, surveyor, project manager, policy adviser, real estate developer, or remediation specialist, this degree adds valuable knowledge to your skill set.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Take on complex projects with confidence

Through the MConsLaw programme, you’ll develop specialised expertise in construction law. You’ll get up to speed on dealing with key topics such as contracts, negligence, bonds, guarantees, risk management and liability, tendering, and claims.

After you graduate, you’ll be able to apply your new knowledge to complex design, surveying, construction, and engineering projects.

Combined expertise

The MConsLaw is a collaborative postgraduate degree led by experts from the University’s Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation and Faculty of Law. Studying across two fields, you’ll boost your competence in construction law while expanding your knowledge of architecture and design.

Courses cover topics such as procurement strategies, risk management protocols, dispute resolution techniques, and contract drafting. They also give you insight into legislation such as the Building Act and Māori land law.

Study while you work

We designed the MConsLaw programme so that you can fit your studies around your ongoing work commitments. The programme’s flexible framework combines recorded online modules, after-work tutorials, and short, intensive teaching blocks.

If you’re a domestic student, you can study full time or part time, tailoring your studies to suit your schedule.

Find out what studying the Master of Construction Law looks like, and see your options for shorter qualifications.

What you’ll study

The 180-point Master of Construction Law can be completed in one year of full-time study (three trimesters) or up to three years of part-time study.

In Part 1, you’ll complete six core courses that will give you a solid grounding in the area of construction law. If you have a law background, you’ll take BILD 401 and BILD 402. If you have an industry background, you’ll take LAWS 511 and LAWS 512.

In Part 2, you’ll complete your degree with two compulsory courses and 30 further points in approved elective courses. Alternatively, with the approval of the programme director, you can do a 90-point thesis for Part 2.

What you’ll study

The 180-point Master of Construction Law can be completed in one year of full-time study (three trimesters).

In Part 1, you’ll complete six core courses that will give you a solid grounding in the area of construction law. If you have a law background, you’ll take BILD 401 and BILD 402. If you have an industry background, you’ll take LAWS 511 and LAWS 512.

In Part 2, you’ll complete your degree with two compulsory courses and 30 further points in approved elective courses. Alternatively, with the approval of the programme director, you can do a 90-point thesis for Part 2.

Part 1—for lawyers

The courses you’ll take in Part 1 introduce you to the construction industry and the construction environment. You’ll focus on industry-relevant topics such as procurement, dispute resolution, and project management.

You’ll gain knowledge about building technologies, building materials, construction methods, and on-site conditions for construction workers. This will give you a broad understanding of key issues facing your future clients.

As a lawyer, you’ll take the following courses in Part 1:

• Introduction to the Built Environment and Construction (BILD 401)
• Construction Economics and Project Management (BILD 402)
• Modern Contractual Arrangement and International Contracts (LAWS 513)
• Māori Land Law and Indigenous Land Rights (LAWS 514)
• Construction Procurement, Risk and Contract Administration (BILD 403)
• Dispute Resolution in Construction (BILD 404).

Part 1—for built environment professionals

The first part of the MConsLaw gives you an introduction to laws relevant to the construction industry. You’ll learn about the Building Act and the Resource Management Act. You’ll explore contract law in both local and international contexts. And you'll gain insight into Māori land law and Indigenous land rights.

The MConsLaw will give you a firm grasp of the legal aspects of mediation, environmental law, and building regulations.

As an industry professional, you’ll take the following courses in Part 1:

• Introduction to Law (LAWS 511)
• Building Act 2004 and the RMA (LAWS 512)
• Modern Contractual Arrangement and International Contracts (LAWS 513)
• Māori Land Law and Indigenous Land Rights (LAWS 514)
• Construction Procurement, Risk and Contract Administration (BILD 403)
• Dispute Resolution in Construction (BILD 404).

Part 2

Along with two core courses, you’ll choose two further courses from a range of topics in Architecture, Building Science, Design Innovation, Landscape Architecture, or Law.

As an alternative for Part 2, you could instead complete a 90-point research-based thesis (BILD 594) or dissertation (LAWS 594). This requires the approval of the programme director.

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas

Depending on your goals, you can opt for a shorter postgraduate qualification in construction law.

If you have a background in law, you could take the Postgraduate Certificate in Construction Law or the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Law.

Alternatively, if you have a background in the built environment, you might consider the Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Science or the Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science, majoring in Construction Law.

If you complete one of these diplomas or certificates and want to continue your studies, the courses you’ve already completed may be counted towards the full Master of Construction Law.

Workload

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

Workload

Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year.