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University of South Australia

  • 17% international / 83% domestic

Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

  • Bachelor (Honours)

Predicted to be one of the strongest growth areas of employment over the next five years1, there is no better time for people looking to start or advance their career in the building and construction industry.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor (Honours)
Duration
4 years full-time
Course Code
XHCM
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Jan, Apr, Jun, Sep

About this course

Predicted to be one of the strongest growth areas of employment over the next five years1, there is no better time for people looking to start or advance their career in the building and construction industry.

Professionals with high-level qualifications are highly valued in the industry and allow you to differentiate yourself in the industry. A university degree signals to employers that you have the necessary knowledge, competencies and skills to manage complex construction projects.

This degree allows graduates from the three-year Construction Management degree to easily transition into further study. This degree has been developed in collaboration with leading industry professional bodies including:

  • Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS)
  • Australian Institute of Building (AIB)
  • Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

As a student, you'll join a university that's ranked in the World Top 100 for Built Environment. Our academics and researchers work with some of Australia's largest organisations, so you'll be learning from experienced professionals working in the field. We collaborate with international organisations such as International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB) and several national cooperative research centres including the Barbara Hardy Institute and the Natural and Built Environments Research Centre - so you'll be learning the latest research and developments in the industry.

With extensive industry connections and partnerships in Australia and around the world, you'll learn the most cutting-edge developments and innovations in the field - and as a graduate, you'll come out with the skills that employers are telling us they need.

1Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Office of the Chief Economist, Australian Industry Report 2016.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

With a focus on real-world learning, you'll learn to work with designs, read drawings, use industry-standard technology, navigate plans, and gain a holistic understanding of the entire project lifecycle as well as the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.

You'll explore diverse areas such as construction technology, construction science, building services, contract administration, construction health and safety, building surveying and construction economics.

As a graduate, you'll come out with project management skills with the ability to plan and schedule construction operations using flowcharts, network analysis, Gantt charts, Critical Path Method and precedence diagrams.

The first three years of this degree mirror UniSA Online's Bachelor of Construction Management degree. In your fourth year, you'll have a choice of specialist electives in the areas of construction project management, quantity surveying and building surveying. You'll have the opportunity to a undertake a research project, which will allow you to gain a deeper insight and further develop your knowledge and skills in your area of interest. As part of your research project, you'll be paired with an experienced academic or an industry professional who are experts in their particular field.

Career pathways

With more than one million employees working across 330,000 construction businesses, the construction industry is the third largest in the country, making up 9% of Australia's total workforce1. And these numbers will only continue to rise, with a further 100,000 jobs predicted by 2022.2

Construction professionals are commonly employed by large construction firms and smaller building subcontractors. They can work on a range of buildings including residential houses, apartment complexes, offices, shopping centres, public buildings, hospitals, and schools. There are also opportunities to work on heavy industrial or civil construction sites, road, tunnel and shaft excavations, demolition sites, as well as local government works.

1 Ai Group, Australia's Construction Industry: Profile and Outlook July 2015.

2 StartupAUS, Digital Foundations: How technology is transforming Australia's construction sector.

Careers to consider:

  • Construction manager:oversee and allocate resources for construction projects; work with architects and engineers to check plans and blueprints; manage schedules; determine material and labour costs, and liaise with and hire subcontractors and workers.
  • Quantity surveyor:manage all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from initial calculations to final figures; seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, and achieve required standards and quality.
  • Building surveyor:ensure buildings are safe to occupy, energy efficient, accessible and meet all legal requirements as a statutory responsibility; assess, certify and inspect building works; work in design, fire safety, energy efficiency and access solutions; and support the legal process as educators and expert witnesses.
  • Project manager: coordinate and plan projects from beginning to end; prepare budgets and cost estimates; create schedules; respond to issues and delays; collaborate with architects and engineers; communicate with clients regarding the progress of a project; and ensure safety regulations and codes are met.
  • Construction supervisor: oversee all construction activities that take place on a worksite, and supervise contractors and staff while maintaining a safe and secure work environment by adhering to, and enforcing safety codes.
  • Estimator: compile cost estimates based on variables such as labour, materials and equipment; work out project costs and create budgets, and analyse different quotes from sub-contractors and suppliers.
  • Construction planner:develop plans on construction projects so the project is completed safely, on time and within budget; organise the stages of construction development; work with managers and engineers to discuss progress and address issues that arise.
  • Contract administrator: develop scope of work and contract documents for execution; administer contracts; assess progress claims and subcontractor payments; prepare variations; manage contract risks to meet company obligations and achieve the planned outcomes of a contract.
Learn more about your career in Construction Management >