Overview
Develop your industry skills in building surveying and prepare for success, with a Graduate Certificate in Building Surveying from Victoria University.
Building surveyors are responsible for assessing plans, conducting inspections, issuing building permits, and interpreting building and construction regulations for buildings of any size and complexity.
Our graduate course will give you in-demand expertise in building regulations, construction compliance and inspection processes. You will come to understand building legislation and auditing, building codes, sustainable construction techniques and materials, fire-safety design, inspection procedures, building services and professional practice.
On graduation, you will have the expertise to:
- support the delivery of efficient and effective building surveying strategies over the course of the approval and construction process
- interpret building documentation and regulations
- assess building construction documentation for compliance with building legislations, codes and standards
- communicate with technical professionals such as builders, architects and engineers, regarding design objectives.
Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023
Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!
Study in convenient eight-week blocks
Following the overwhelming success of the revolutionary VU Block Model with undergraduate students, we have rolled out the Block Model to our postgraduate courses.
This course is delivered in eight-week mode, which means you study two units (subjects) at a time over eight weeks (or one unit at a time over eight weeks for part-time study), rather than juggling several units at once. And with its focused timetables and smaller, collaborative classes, VU’s Block Model gives you more time to connect with your peers, lecturers and industry partners, helping you to build strong professional networks.
The VU Block Model has improved our student results and engagement, and has won multiple international awards for innovation and excellence.
An in-demand career
Australia is experiencing a shortage of building surveyors across all states and territories. The average age of qualified building surveyors in Australia is 55 and industry experts state things need to dramatically change.
By completing the Graduate Certificate in Building Surveying course, you'll be well-placed to find work, due to current strong industry demand.
Build on your qualifications
This course is designed as a postgraduate qualification for graduates from the Bachelor of Building Surveying course, or for working professionals who would like to improve their skills and knowledge.
Besides these students and people with work and life experience, the program is also available to graduates from similar disciplines, including, but not limited, to:
- construction management
- building design
- quantity surveying
- architecture
- civil/structural engineering.
We welcome graduates from any university in Australia.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in building surveying
Graduates from the Graduate Certificate in Building Surveying may be employed in both the private and public sectors, for employers such as:
- building proprietors
- contractors
- developers
- government bodies
- consultancy practices.
Graduates interested in pursuing further study in building surveying will have wider opportunities as key professionals in the construction industry, and will work closely with other professional disciplines, industry groups and development authorities.
Course structure
To attain the Undergraduate Certificate in Building Surveying students will be required to complete:
- 48 credit points Core units
Course structure and units
-
- Unit code
- NBS6001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBS6002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBS6003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBS6005
- Credits
- 12
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Review, critically analyse and formulate solutions to real world scenarios of planning and building permit applications, with a demonstrable understanding of the fundamentals of building materials, construction processes, energy efficiency principles and sustainable urban development; | ||
| 2. | Exemplify a thorough understanding of the professional and ethical responsibilities and practices of a building surveyor by critically evaluating appropriate documentation in order to assess applications for compliance with relevant legislation, codes, standards and local government requirements; | ||
| 3. | Critically evaluate the validity of engineering design principles for geotechnical, structural, building systems and mechanical services design; | ||
| 4. | Exemplify the ability to conduct research, write reports and advocate building surveying objectives and outcomes effectively to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a variety of professional oral and written forms; and | ||
| 5. | 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), Full-fee
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:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
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.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent in a cognate discipline including but not limited to building surveying, construction management, building design, quantity surveying, architecture, civil/structural engineering;
OR
A combination of qualifications deemed to be equivalent to any of the qualifications listed in the AIBS Scheme for Level 2 (Limited) Building Surveyor plus minimum five years of approved building surveying experience.
Pathways from VU courses
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.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
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.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 31 July 2023
- 2 October 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.
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
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
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.
