Keep workers safe
The construction industry faces high risks from complex work sites, heavy machinery, and changing conditions.
Qualified health and safety professionals play a vital role in preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with regulations. They help to promote a workplace culture of wellbeing that protects every worker on site.
Postgraduate study in this area gives you deeper knowledge that you can apply in your daily on-site work.
What you’ll learn
You’ll learn how to promote a strong safety culture by identifying and preventing hazards and mitigating risks. As well as learning about hazardous materials and working at heights or in confined spaces, you’ll become an expert in safety issues related to fire, excavation, and electrical equipment.
You’ll also learn how to advocate for the physical and mental wellbeing of construction workers, promoting safe work practices and a supportive work environment.
Practical knowledge
You can choose from a range of courses that cover:
- planning and scheduling
- value engineering and quality assurance
- assessing and controlling hazards and risks
- occupational health and hygiene
- health and safety leadership.
Choose your study path
There are several ways that you can study Postgraduate Construction Health and Safety with us.
Postgraduate study pathways
Postgraduate study gives you the flexibility to focus on either coursework or research, depending on your goals and interests.
Add Construction and Building Science to your toolkit
If your Bachelor’s degree is in a different field, a graduate certificate or diploma lets you catch up on the basics of a new subject. This can set you up for further study in that subject at Master’s level.
- Graduate Certificate in Construction and Building Science
- Graduate Diploma in Construction and Building Science
Focus on coursework
We offer four postgraduate qualifications in Construction and Building Science. These are ‘staircased’, so that courses completed for a shorter qualification can count towards a longer one.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Construction and Building Science (60 points)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and Building Science (120 points)
- Master of Building Science (180 points)
- Master of Construction (180 points)
The Master’s degrees are the most comprehensive qualifications, with the highest academic and professional recognition.
The Postgraduate Diploma is a solid middle-ground option, with substantial postgraduate study. It’s shorter than the Master’s but more achievable if you’re balancing work and study.
The Postgraduate Certificate is the most accessible entry point. Compared to the Master’s or the Diploma, it’s narrower in scope but is an ideal way to upskill in a particular area.
Focus on research
Go deeper in your specialist area. If you have a Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and Building Science or an equivalent qualification, you could study for the Master of Construction and Building Science (Research).
If you already have a Master's degree, you may be able to study for the Doctor of Philosophy.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study postgraduate Construction Health and Safety at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Why Wellington
Wellington gives you direct access to construction firms, government agencies, and research institutes—with opportunities for internships, placements, and collaborative research.
The city’s unique geography and rich cultural heritage make it an exciting place to study and apply your construction knowledge.
Resources and facilities
You’ll have access to workspaces and technologies at the School of Architecture. These include model-making facilities, and support for using ArcGIS and graphic design software.
Future careers
Careers in Construction now require construction expertise combined with digital innovation, sustainability leadership, and strategic management.
Our postgraduate qualifications in Construction open up opportunities in many organisations: from construction companies, consultancies, and property developers to government agencies, engineering firms, and offsite design and delivery firms.
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.
Scholarships for Architecture and Building Science
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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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Warren and Mahoney established this award in 2021 to support Māori and Pasifika students who have a passion for Architecture and Design. Warren and Mahoney wishes to support more diversity in the design profession, particularly Māori and Pasifika. In addition, this scholarship will provide opportunities for the student to build their skills and have closer ties to Warren and Mahoney...
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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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.
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 Architecture and Building Science
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Applicants must be of Pacific Islands descent, enrolled or intending to enrol in a postgraduate programme in Pacific Studies.
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Applicants must be female who are about to graduate from Victoria University of Wellington at the time of application, and intend to study for a Masters by coursework, Masters by Thesis or PhD in the following year. Selection will be based on academic merit.
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The Wellington Graduate Award encourages undergraduate students to proceed to graduate study and to research degrees. The University offers Wellington Graduate Awards to domestic and international students intending to embark upon an Honours degree or a Master's degree Part 1. The Scholarship value is $5,000 and will be paid directly towards tuition fees. International students will be liable to pay...
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.
Professional connections
The Wellington School of Architecture has professional connections and partnerships with a range of national and local organisations.
You may be offered an internship over the summer break. These come through our relationships with professional organisations, including consultancies and councils.
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
Atie Ahmadi
Lecturer in Project Management
Nilesh Bakshi
Lecturer in Architectural Science and Sustainable Systems Design
Pamela Bell
Professor of Practice, Construction
Andre Brown
Associate Dean, International
Elrond Burrell
Senior Lecturer
Fabricio Chicca
Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching
Michael Donn
Associate Professor
Wallace Enegbuma
Presenter
Professor Derek Kawiti
Professor in Maori Designed Environments
Adele Leah
Associate Professor (Teaching)
Guy Marriage
Associate Professor
Chitrakala Muthuveerappan
Lecturer in Architectural Science and Management
Antony Pelosi
Senior Lecturer
Emina Kristina Petrovic
Senior Lecturer in Sustainability in Design
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.