Construction Law – Master of Construction

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Construction (thesis pathway) you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a construction related 4-year Bachelor with Honours degree or a Bachelor of Construction (Honours) or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Honours year; or
• have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree followed by a relevant Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum grade average of B+ over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Certificate, or equivalent.

To enter the Master of Construction (coursework pathway) you will::

1. have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B across the highest level courses; or
2. have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction or equivalent qualification and have completed at least 2 years of relevant post-study professional experience; or
3. have been awarded or qualified for a construction related 4-year Bachelor with Honours degree or a Bachelor of Construction (Honours) or equivalent qualification; or
4. have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Construction followed by the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction or equivalent qualification with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Diploma; or
5. have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor’s degree followed by a relevant Postgraduate Certificate with a minimum grade average of B over the contributing courses for the Postgraduate Certificate, or equivalent.

If you are admitted into the thesis pathway, or the coursework pathway under 3, 4 or 5 above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

• Massey University English language requirements

Documents you will need to supply to support your application:

• copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University
• a copy of your current curriculum vitae (CV) including education and employment for at least the last 5years if you are applying on the basis of a bachelor degree and professional experience
• a short summary of your research interests (200 words or less). Required if you intend to take the research pathway.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

English Evidence Academic IELTS^: 6.5 overall and minimum 6.0 in each band

English Evidence TOEFL iBT: Overall score 90, minimum 20 in Writing

English Evidence Pearson Test of English (PTE): 58 overall and minimum 50 in each communicative skills

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.

Professional development

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. For instance, if you are a:

• construction professional who wishes to enhance your skills in construction law-related topics, construction contracts, contract administration, and alternative dispute resolution including statutory adjudication, or
• are a lawyer interested in specialising in construction law and alternative dispute resolution focused on resolving construction disputes, or
• are a qualified professional in a related area working in the construction industry and who wishes to develop skills and an understanding in the areas of construction law, construction contracts, contract administration and alternative dispute resolution methods
• are a construction dispute resolver such as an arbitrator, mediator, or adjudicator, or act as an expert witness and you want to ensure you have a high level of technical skill in construction law, construction contracts, and dispute resolution practice and procedures

You may benefit from this degree if you are already working in careers such as construction management, engineering, architecture, quantity surveying, as a contractor or supplier and wish to understand construction law more thoroughly.

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.

Earn more

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication "The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates", found that in New Zealand:

• young master’s graduates earn more than 1.5 times more than the national median (5 years after study)
• earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
• five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.