Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Not required*
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Online Real Time
Delivery mode: 
Online Real Time
Start date:
31 July 2023
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.
Apply

Overview

Develop the skills to become a construction-industry professional with a Bachelor of Building Surveying at Victoria University.

This course will give you solid foundation for a wide range of professional roles in the building and construction industry. You’ll also develop skills and technical knowledge to become a specialist in:

  • building and construction legislation and auditing
  • inspection procedures
  • building codes and regulations
  • industry standards in professional practice
  • building safety and design including fire safety
  • sustainable construction techniques and materials.

The degree will equip you with the qualification needed to work as a registered building surveyor. Building surveyors are responsible for interpreting and enforcing the laws and regulations that control building and construction. With a current shortage of registered building surveyors, you’ll be well placed for a career in Australia’s growing construction industry.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION 

This course is accredited by the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS). You will be eligible to apply for graduate membership on completion of this course. 

The Bachelor of Building Surveying is also endorsed by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Graduates of this course satisfy the knowledge requirements for registration in the Building surveyor (unlimited) class/the Building Surveyor (Limited) class. 

We have a number of industry partnerships which inform our courses, provide shared resources, and give you opportunities for workplace learning. Our partners include:

  • Engineers Australia
  • The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
  • VicRoads
  • National Measurement Institute.

We have specialised learning facilities, including state-of-the-art fire-testing facilities.

You’ll learn from teachers with extensive industry experience. VU staff are engaged, approachable and committed to helping you achieve your full potential.

You’ll study alongside civil and architectural engineering students and law students, as this course has a multidisciplinary focus.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

Careers in building surveying

The building industry has seen significant growth due to factors such as a rising population. Career opportunities for building surveyors have grown dramatically in recent years and are forecast to keep growing. The industry currently faces a huge challenge in addressing a shortage of registered building surveyors.

Our Bachelor of Building Surveying will ensure you are ready to work in construction, professional, scientific and technical services, or public administration and safety.

You’ll be able to operate independently as a professional in this field, while working closely with other disciplines, industry groups and development authorities.

Many surveyors enjoy the benefits of self-employment. Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to work in both the private and public sectors for employers such as:

  • building proprietors
  • contractors
  • developers
  • local, state or national government bodies
  • consultancy practices.

Employment rates

Building and surveying have some of the highest rates of graduate employment. Over the next five years, future growth for architectural, building and surveying technicians is expected to be stable (Labour Market Insights).

Salary

See the average salary for architectural, building and surveying technicians in Australia via Labour Market Insights.

A business with VU foundations

A business with VU foundations

Building surveyor and business owner Michael Tabone values the well-rounded education that VU provided him – and his staff.

assets/arrow-long Created with Sketch.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Building Surveying students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 96 credit points of First Year Core studies;

  • 192 credit points of Professional Core and Capstone studies.

First Year Core Units

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

Year 3, Semester 1

Year 3, Semester 2

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Plan, implement and manage the delivery of efficient and effective building surveying strategies over the course of building construction processes in diverse contemporary contexts using independent thinking and judgement.  
  2. Generate creative solutions to a range of complex building surveying problems, taking into account issues of compliance with relevant codes and standards, building construction process, technical and innovative changes, ethics and environmental sustainability (commercial and environmental) with initiative and professional judgement.  
  3. Critically evaluate sources and validity of information and use established processes for information management.  
  4. Advocate building surveying objectives and outcomes effectively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a variety of professional oral and written forms.  
  5. Exemplify collaboration and requisite interpersonal and supervisory skills and characteristics to influence personal work, community and networks.  
  6. Apply personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.  
  7. Exhibit responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice in collaboration with others and within broad parameters.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) 22477VIC

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) CPC50220

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Builders Academy Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 120 credit points of study.

Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Builders Academy Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 31 July 2023

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 July 2023 for our next intake which starts on 31 July 2023.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.