Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

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 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.

This four-year professional degree will prepare you for future leadership and managerial roles in the building and construction industry. You’ll be able to pursue your career interests and specialise in one of three high-growth areas in construction project management, quantity surveying, or building surveying in your final year.

Throughout your studies, you’ll develop a well-rounded understanding of the entire project lifecycle. You’ll explore modern project management techniques, develop skills to assess building compliance, and gain financial acumen to manage construction businesses in a commercial environment. The technical and practical skills gained throughout your degree will prepare you for a range of roles required in large-scale commercial, infrastructure and residential projects.

As a student, you’ll be introduced to Building Information Modelling (BIM) and modern construction techniques. You’ll also learn to use software that construction and building professionals use on a regular basis including Autodesk Revit, MS Project, Cost X, Navisworks 2016 and Synchro Pro. If you’re already working in the industry, you’ll have the opportunity to immediately apply what you’ve learned in the workplace.

Recommended study pattern

Note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at October 2023)

First year

• Introduction to Construction Management (BUIL 1027)
• Construction Communication (BUIL 1025)
• Construction 1 (CIVE 1005)
• Construction Materials (CIVE 1006)
• Introduction to Construction Business Management (BUIL 1026)
• Structures 1 (CIVE 1007)
• Introduction to Contract Administration (BUIL 2029)
• Elective 1

Second year

• Construction Scheduling (BUIL 2028)
• Construction 2 (CIVE 2014)
• Quantity Surveying Practice 1 (BUIL 1028)
• Contract Administration (BUIL 3024)
• Structures 2 (CIVE 2016)
• Building Estimating  (BUIL 1024)
• Building Services (CIVE 2013)
• Construction Environmental Science (CIVE 2015)

Third year

• Development Regulation (BUIL 4030)
• Construction 3 (CIVE 3016)
• Project Appraisal (BUIL 3025)
• Construction Cost Planning (BUIL 2027)
• Construction Operations and Safety (BUIL 3023)
• Fire Technology (BUIL 4031)
• Building Surveying (CIVE 3015)
• Advanced Contract Administration (BUIL 3022)

Fourth year

• Integrated Project (BUIL 4035)
• Elective 2
• Research Theory and Practice (ENGG 4016)
• Elective 3
• Construction Management Honours Research Project A (CIVE 4047)
• Elective 4
• Construction Management Honours Research Project B (CIVE 4048)
• Elective 5

Award requirements

Students must complete 32 subjects, this includes 5 electives.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Students must select two of the following specialisations. 

Quantity Surveying Specialisation

• Advanced Quantity Surveying (BUIL 4032)
• Quantity Surveying Practice 2 (BUIL 4036)

Building Surveying Specialisation

• Advanced Building Surveying (CIVE 4045)
• Asset Management and Building Pathology (CIVE 4046)

Construction Management Specialisation

• Construction Business Management (BUIL 4034)
• Advanced Construction Management (BUIL 4033)

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $36,714

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about UniSA.

Explore UniSA courses.

QS Ranking 2024:

21

Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:

21

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result:

• Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• Completed an award from a recognised training organisation at Certificate IV or above
• Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience, or
• Completed a UniSA Foundations Studies program or equivalent, or
• Qualified for Special Entry
• Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification

Students who do not meet these criteria can start studying now by enrolling in the subjects below. Students will be eligible to apply upon successful completion of four subjects and all subjects will be credited towards the degree.

• BUIL1027 Introduction to Construction Management
• BUIL1025 Construction Communication
• CIVE1005 Construction 1
• CIVE1006 Construction Materials
• CIVE1007 Structures 1
• BUIL1026 Introduction to Construction Business Management 
• BUIL2029 Introduction to Contract Administration

UniSA Online offers four start dates throughout the year so you can apply as soon as you’re ready. As part of your application, UniSA Online will share information about the next available study period for this program.

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.