Make a smart career move
Develop skills in a new area with the Master of Construction Law at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
If you’re a practising lawyer or a professional in the building industry, the MConsLaw is the ideal way to gain advanced expertise about legal and dispute-resolution issues in the industry.
Whether you have a background as an architect, lawyer, surveyor, project manager, policy adviser, real estate developer, or remediation specialist, this degree adds valuable knowledge to your skillset.
Who can study for this qualification
We designed the MConsLaw programme so that you can fit your studies around your ongoing work commitments. The programme’s flexible framework combines recorded online modules, after-work tutorials, and short, intensive teaching blocks.
This qualification is ideal for students across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific region.
What you’ll learn
The MConsLaw is a collaborative postgraduate degree led by experts from the University’s Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation and Faculty of Law.
You'll study across two fields to boost your competence in construction law and expand your knowledge of architecture and design.
Courses cover topics such as:
- procurement strategies
- risk management protocols
- dispute resolution techniques
- contract drafting.
They also give you insight into legislation such as the Building Act and Māori land law.
Take on complex projects with confidence
Through the MConsLaw programme, you’ll develop specialised expertise in construction law. You’ll get up to speed on dealing with key topics such as:
- contracts
- negligence
- bonds
- guarantees
- risk management and liability
- tendering
- claims.
After you graduate, you’ll be able to apply your new knowledge to complex design, surveying, construction, and engineering projects.
How you’ll study
The 180-point Master of Construction Law can be completed in 1 year of full-time study, or up to three years of part-time study.
In Part 1, you’ll complete core courses that will give you a solid grounding in the area of construction law that you area less familiar with.
In Part 2, you’ll complete your degree with two compulsory courses and 30 further points in approved elective courses. Or, with the approval of the programme director, you can do a 90-point thesis for Part 2.
Part 1
The first part of your study depends on whether you are a lawyer or a built environment professional.
If you have a law background
The courses you’ll take in Part 1 introduce you to the construction industry and environment. You’ll focus on industry-relevant topics such as procurement, dispute resolution, and project management.
You’ll gain knowledge about building technologies, building materials, construction methods, and on-site conditions for construction workers. This will give you a broad understanding of key issues facing your future clients.
As a lawyer, you’ll take courses on:
- an introduction to built environment and construction
- an introduction to construction economics and project management
- modern contractual arrangement and international contracts
- Māori land law and indigenous land rights
- construction procurement, risk and contract administration
- dispute resolution in construction.
If you have a built environment background
The first part of the MConsLaw gives you an introduction to laws relevant to the construction industry. You’ll learn about the Building Act and the Resource Management Act. You’ll explore contract law in both local and international contexts. And you'll gain insight into Māori land law and Indigenous land rights.
The MConsLaw will give you a firm grasp of the legal aspects of mediation, environmental law, and building regulations.
As an industry professional, you’ll take courses on:
- an introduction to law
- an introduction to the Building Act 2004 and the Resource Management Act
- modern contractual arrangement and international contracts
- Māori land law and indigenous land rights
- construction procurement, risk and contract administration
- dispute resolution in construction.
Part 2
Along with two core courses, you’ll choose two further courses from a range of topics in Architecture, Building Science, Construction, Design Innovation, or Law.
As an alternative for Part 2, you could instead complete a 90-point research-based thesis. This requires the approval of the programme director.
Full time or part-time study
You can study full time or part time, tailoring your studies to suit your schedule. This flexibility makes the MConsLaw programme ideal for working professionals.
You can complete the MConsLaw by studying:
- full time for one year—about 30 to 40 hours a week for much of the year.
- part time for up to three years—about 15 to 20 hours of work a week.
Make sure you take this into account if you are working.
Our postgraduate qualifications
Depending on your goals, you can study towards a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master's degree.
These are staircased so that courses completed for each qualification can count towards the next step.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MConsLaw degree shall have:
(i) completed a degree or graduate or postgraduate diploma in law or a relevant built environment discipline of this University or from a comparable institution accepted for this purpose, with an average grade of at least B; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation or the Faculty of Law for a candidate who has had sufficient practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides equivalent preparation.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MConsLaw
2. (a) The course of study for the MConsLaw shall consist of courses worth at least 180 points, including:
Part 1: Construction Procurement, Risk and Contract Administration (BILD 403), Dispute Resolution in Construction (BILD 404), Modern and International Construction Contracts (LAWS 513), Māori Land Law and Indigenous Land Rights / He Ture Whenua Māori me te Mana Whenua Taketake (LAWS 514); (The Built Environment and Construction / He Tīmatanga Kōrero mō ngā Whare Hangahanga me te Waihanga (BILD 401), Construction Economics and Project Management / Ōhanga ā-Waihanga me te Whakahaere Kaupapa (BILD 402)) or (Introduction to Law / He Tīmatanga Kōrero mō ngā Ture (LAWS 511), Introduction to Building Act and Resource Management Act / Ture ā-Hangahanga me te Ture Whakahaere Rawa (LAWS 512))
Part 2: (i) Construction Law Research Project (BILD 501) and Construction Law Legal Writing / Tuhinga ā-Ture Waihanga (LAWS 583); and
(ii) 30 further points at 400- or 500- level from ARCI, BILD, CCDN, CONM, DSDN, INTA, LAND, LAWS, PLAN, SARC or SIDN courses.
(b) A candidate may proceed to Part 2 only with the permission of the programme director.
(c) With the programme director’s permission, a candidate may replace Part 2 with Construction Law Thesis (BILD 594) or Construction Law Thesis / Tuhinga Whakapae Ture ā-Waihanga (LAWS 594).
(d) With the permission of the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation or the Faculty of Law, a candidate who has completed a degree with Honours or other graduate study to an appropriate level may be exempted from up to 120 points from Part 1 and Part 2 (ii).
3. (a) A candidate shall normally be enrolled for at least three trimesters and shall complete the degree within five years. The Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation or the Faculty of Law may extend the maximum period in special cases.
(b) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for Construction Law Thesis (BILD 594) and Construction Law Thesis / Tuhinga Whakapae Ture ā-Waihanga (LAWS 594) are specified in the Master’s Thesis Regulations.
4. (a) A candidate who passed 120 points in Part 1 and Part 2 (ii) but does not proceed to Part 2 (i) may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science (PGDipArchSc) in Construction Law or a Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Law (PGDipConsLaw).
(b) At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGDipCBS in Construction Law or a PGDipConsLaw may credit those courses to the MConsLaw provided the candidate abandons the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma upon being awarded the MConsLaw.
Future careers
Your study adds a new level of expertise to your practice. The research skills and knowledge you gain will could support you in roles across the construction industry.
More career information
Find out more about careers in construction.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Some applicable scholarships
Antiss-Garland Charitable Trust Postgraduate Scholarship
Angelo South Pacific Postgraduate Scholarship in Law
Scholarships for Law
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This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This scholarship is open to Law graduates from the Pacific Islands with a first class academic record, who plan to undertake, or are currently undertaking, a Master's degree with the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, or a Postgraduate Diploma. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Pacific Islands but Pacific students resident in New Zealand...
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Some applicable scholarships
Angelo South Pacific Postgraduate Scholarship in Law
Tongarewa International Scholarship
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Law
-
This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
-
This scholarship is open to Law graduates from the Pacific Islands with a first class academic record, who plan to undertake, or are currently undertaking, a Master's degree with the Faculty of Law at Victoria University of Wellington, or a Postgraduate Diploma. Priority will be given to applicants living in the Pacific Islands but Pacific students resident in New Zealand...
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This scholarship is open to applicants intending to enrol in a Master of Laws (LLM) at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and whose postgraduate research relates to public law, including areas such as constitutional law, human rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, government, comparative public law, Pacific law, and public international law.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you could apply to do a PhD—the highest-level qualification we offer.
You’ll carry out original and sustained research, supervised by our world-class academics.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Academic staff research areas
Daniel Brown
Professor of Design Studio
David Hume
Senior Lecturer
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.