Course details

Summary

Pathway to masters

The Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Construction Law) is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a master’s.

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Construction gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a master’s level.

The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability. If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Master of Construction. If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the master’s programme.

Massey is the only university in New Zealand that offers specializations in construction law degree is unique.

Gain specialised knowledge

During the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Construction Law) you will gain specialist knowledge in areas of construction law, construction contracts, construction contract administration and alternative dispute resolution including statutory adjudication.

Unique focus

Three other unique features include the offering of statutory adjudication as a whole course, the focus on drafting construction contracts in modern plain legal language, and the international comparative element that complements country-specific issues.

A global perspective

You will gain a global perspective of the broad areas of construction law and dispute resolution typically found in commonwealth jurisdictions. Although you will primarily gain specific skills in New Zealand-related construction law issues, your study also covers some aspects from jurisdictions such as Australia, UK, Singapore, and Malaysia, especially in relation to construction contracts and adjudication. The multi-national comparative element helps develop critiquing skills and helps you better understand the advantages and disadvantages of differing contractual and statutory provisions. You are often given the opportunity to select the jurisdictions of choice when doing the comparative element.

Careers

There is great demand for those with specialist skills such as those that can be obtained by doing the Massey University Master of Construction with a construction law specialisation.

Current and past students have been working with multinational companies, banks, insurance companies, government agencies, companies in the oil and gas sector, government agencies involved with housing, transport and infrastructure, and academic institutions around the world.

This degree is useful as professional development for those already in construction law, or for those in related careers who need more in-depth knowledge.

It can also help you move into dispute resolution careers such as arbitrators, mediators, and adjudicators, those working with housing and property developers or as a consultant.

You may choose to further up skill in specialist areas to enhance your performance along your chosen career paths. Others choose to attain specialist skills in order to diversify.

Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Construction Law) structure

You will follow a flexible programme of study, consisting of courses totalling at least 120 credits at 700- or 800-level from the Schedule and attending block courses, workshops, tutorials, or laboratories as required.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction (Construction Law) requires you to have a three year Bachelor of Construction degree, Graduate Diploma in Technology with an endorsement in Construction Management or Quantity Surveying, or an equivalent qualification.

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180