Bachelor of Construction Management

University of South Australia

About

Modern construction is a complex, highly-organised commercial industry and it is constantly evolving.

New challenges in planning, design, construction and commissioning are arising all the time.

Buildings are becoming bigger and more technically complex than ever before.

These challenges mean that the construction industry is a dynamic and exciting environment to work in.

In this degree you will develop the knowledge and skills to work professionally in the low rise residential and light commercial buildings sector of the construction industry.

If you successfully complete this degree, you can enter directly into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours).

We develop our degrees with input from industry and courses are taught by academics with strong industry associations.

Graduate career-ready by completing the UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program and gain at least 450 hours of skills and competencies through a range of engagement activities such as placements, internships, guest lectures, industry panels, site visits, networking and events.

Structure

Course name Area and cat no Units Reference Rules
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Introduction to Contract Administration BUIL 2019 4.5
Construction 1 CIVE 1001 4.5
Introduction to Construction Management BUIL 1007 4.5
Construction Communication BUIL 1021 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Construction Materials CIVE 1003 4.5
Introduction to Construction Business Management BUIL 1023 4.5
Structures 1 CIVE 1002 4.5
University Elective 4.5 Note(s): 1
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Quantity Surveying Practice 1 BUIL 1022 4.5
Contract Administration BUIL 3010 4.5
Construction 2 CIVE 2002 4.5
Structures 2 CIVE 2004 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Building Estimating BUIL 2018 4.5
Construction Scheduling BUIL 2007 4.5
Construction Environmental Science CIVE 2008 4.5
Building Services N CIVE 2007 4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Development Regulation BUIL 4028 4.5
Project Appraisal BUIL 3011 4.5
Construction Cost Planning BUIL 2021 4.5
Building Surveying CIVE 3012 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Construction Operations and Safety BUIL 3021 4.5
Advanced Contract Administration BUIL 3020 4.5
Fire Technology BUIL 4029 4.5
Construction 3 CIVE 3014 4.5

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile
Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

  • Qualify for Special Entry, or
  • Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Learning outcomes

In this degree you will develop the knowledge and skills to work professionally in the low rise residential and light commercial sectors of the construction industry. Your studies will focus on construction law, management, communication, materials, economics and quantity surveying.

Our UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program allows you to apply the skills and knowledge you've acquired throughout your degree in real-world settings.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you can enter directly into the fourth year of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours).

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Our degrees are developed with input from industry and taught by academics with strong industry associations.

The UniSA STEM Professional Practice Program will help you to get valuable experience and make your own industry connections throughout your degree.

UniSA is a hub for research with our own Scarce Resources and Circular Economy centre. We are also involved in several national cooperative research centres and we collaborate with the Future Industries Institute and the Barbara Hardy Institute.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

Careers to consider:

  • construction manager: overseeing and allocating resources for construction projects; working with architects and engineers to check plans and blueprints; managing timetables; determining material and labour costs; liaising with and hiring subcontractors and workers
  • estimator: compiling cost estimates based on variables such as labour, materials and equipment; working out how much a project is likely to cost and creating budgets; analysing different quotes from sub-contractors and suppliers
  • construction planner: developing time plans on construction projects so the project is completed safely, on time and within budget; thinking critically; working with managers and engineers to discuss progress and address issues that arise; organising the stages of construction development

Explore a range of engineering and construction careers here.

Australian Institute of Building Surveyors: This program is recognised as meeting the educational requirements for Level 2 corporate membership.

Applying to study with us:

  • go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
  • you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

  • academic counselling
  • personal counselling
  • social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

You will spend time in the Experiential Learning Suite at City East campus. It’s a multifunctional space where you can develop career knowledge and interact not only with other students, but with new technologies.

Institution