C10214v2 Bachelor of Construction

Overview

This degree provides a comprehensive building education and offers opportunities such as field trips, practical and laboratory-based work, and international exchange programs, which enhance the learning environment.

Widely regarded as one of the most respected courses within the profession, this course was developed by reputable industry professionals and offers an ideal balance of academic and practical content.

Students gain the broad knowledge base and skills required to meet the demands of the construction industry, have access to state-of-the-art computing facilities and take some subjects over the Internet.

Every stage of the course includes a practical component and students acquire valuable professional work experience. All students are required to accumulate at least 96 days of industry experience throughout the course.

Course aims

The degree is concerned with management of all aspects of the construction process, including business management, construction technology, project management, quantity surveying, applied economics, contract administration and property development.

It delivers all the recognised competencies for construction professionals while additionally introducing graduates to the prospect of diversifying into project management.

This unique degree provides graduates with the broader skills and knowledge base required to meet the changing demands of the construction industry. There are also opportunities for further study after completing the course through an Honours program, the Master's programs in Project Management and Facility Management or a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Career options

Career options include construction manager, contract manager, cost engineer, estimator, facility manager, project manager, property developer, quantity surveyor, scheduler or site manager. Graduates can work in the public sector, or for an architect, building proprietor, contractor, developer or be a self-employed entrepreneur. As key professionals in the construction industry, graduates work closely with other professional disciplines, industry groups and development authorities.

Additional admission requirements

Admission to this degree is based on formal academic qualifications. However, the Faculty may consider applications based on the results of a STAT test if students lack academic qualifications but have extensive professional experience. The STAT test is conducted through UAC.

Additional assumed knowledge

Mathematics and any two units of English.

Additional recognition of prior learning

Students with prior academic or industrial experience are considered for recognition of prior learning for up to a maximum of 96 credit points (50 per cent of the course), and may be given the opportunity to tailor their program of study in line with subjects completed previously at other institutions. Contact the Faculty Office for further information.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a four-year full-time or six-year part-time basis. Students may transfer between part-time and full-time attendance patterns. Part-time students attend one day and one evening per week. Full-time students may be expected to attend at any time during the week. The contact hours allocated to each subject are nominal and often involve a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops and self-directed teaching methods. Some subjects are offered online and, according to demand, some subjects may be offered over Summer session.

Course structure

The course program consists of 192 credit points, comprising 28 6-credit-point core subjects and four 6-credit-point electives, the latter chosen either from within the Faculty or from the many electives offered by other faculties throughout the University.

Students undertaking four elective subjects (24 credit points) within a common area are eligible for a sub-major. Sub-majors are offered in Project Management, Technology, Building Surveying, and General Practice, depending on demand.

Industrial experience is an important component of the course. Part-time students gain experience well in excess of the basic requirement.

Industrial training/professional practice

In this course, the value of hands-on experience is recognised and part-time work in the industry is encouraged; all students are required to accumulate a total of 144 credit points of relevant industry experience prior to graduating. Students who are enrolled part time and are employed full time in the construction industry should fulfil their industrial experience requirements in three years. Students who are enrolled full time are able to accumulate 96 credit points of industrial experience through satisfactory attendance at the industrial experience programs organised by the Faculty. However, they will also need to undertake employment in the construction industry for an additional 96 days (48 credit points) to graduate.

Course completion requirements

Course program

The example program below is for a student commencing in Autumn semester and undertaking the course full time.

Levels of award

The Bachelor of Construction may be awarded with First Class or Second Class Honours based on the students' academic performance over the entirety of their studies. The class of Honours is determined by academic merit.

Professional recognition

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS); Australian Institute of Building (AIB); Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV); Malaysian Institute of Quantity Surveyors; Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB); Singapore Institute of Building (SIBL); New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)

Other information

Further information is available from the Faculty Student Administration Unit on: