Our cities are changing with the impact of globalisation, climate change and rising populations. Sustainable and smart buildings and infrastructure are the future, and skilled construction managers are needed to create them. If you love bringing ideas to life, are practical, organised and a great people manager, this career is for you.
As a construction manager, you’ll lead building and infrastructure projects, overseeing the construction of homes, hospitals, schools, railway stations, roads, wastewater treatment plants, and power plants. You’ll make sure everything – from contractors to materials and legalities – comes together safely, on-time and within budget. It’s a balancing act, but one that offers great rewards and vast career opportunities.
If you’re ready to lead the way, our Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) will prepare you for a fulfilling career shaping our cities and communities.
The modern construction industry is booming. It requires adaptable leaders who can navigate complex construction techniques and manage budgets and teams – especially for large-scale projects. That’s where you come in.
With our Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours), you’ll become a driving force in this dynamic sector, overseeing projects from inception to completion. You’ll ensure projects stay on-time and on-budget, meeting both finance and quality benchmarks.
Adelaide University’s program is forward-thinking and shaped by industry insights. It has a focus on digital technology and sustainability, aligning it with current trends and industry requirements. With 150 hours of work placements built into the degree, you’ll gain real-world skills alongside theoretical knowledge.
Develop a comprehensive insight into the entire project lifecycle. Explore modern construction materials and project management techniques. Gain an understanding of local building codes and building regulations. With your technical and practical skills, you’ll be ready for a wide range of management roles in large-scale commercial, infrastructure and residential projects.
Prepare to manage and lead in the construction industry.Access dedicated facilities with new technologies including virtual reality.Extend your studies beyond the classroom with site visits and field trips.Learn from leading industry professionals.Build skills with 150 hours of work placements.Gain a competitive edge with your honours qualification.The Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) is a four-year program that prepares you for leadership roles within the construction field. Designed in partnership with industry, it blends theory with hands-on experiences – including site visits and work placements – to ensure you gain relevant, real-world skills.
You’ll develop a diverse skillset to prepare you for a range of careers in construction, from construction planning, quantity surveying, building surveying to contract administration. Explore different building materials and modern construction techniques. Understand local building codes and regulations to ensure new builds are compliant. Learn how to draft, interpret and communicate construction drawings. Become proficient with industry-standard programs like Revit, CostX, and Primavera. Find out how to estimate construction and labour costs to keep projects to agreed budgets. Explore land surveying principles and understand key concepts in structural mechanics, fire safety engineering and geotechnical engineering.
Navigate the complex field of contract administration, learning how to resolve disputes and manage claims while maintaining professional and ethical standards. Throughout the program, you’ll build practical skills in data analytics, communication, negotiation, entrepreneurship, project management and teamwork. You can also broaden your studies with electives in related areas like architecture, civil engineering, project management and property.
In your third year, you’ll gain relevant industry experience with 150 hours of work placements. Fourth year will introduce you to research, allowing you to design and complete a research project in an area of choice and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
Assessment types will vary depending on the courses you choose, but may include reports, project documentation, case studies, presentations, essays, exams, and team-based projects.
Complete 192 units comprising:
Complete 174 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 1
|
Course code
AUXX1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 2
|
Course code
AUXX2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 3
|
Course code
AUXX3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 4
|
Course code
AUXX4000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Structures
|
Course code
ARCH1010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Science and Materials
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Course code
ARCH1009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Construction Management
|
Course code
BLDG1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Low-rise Construction and Land Surveying
|
Course code
BLDG1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Economics and Procurement
|
Course code
BLDG1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Communication and Digital Construction Fundamentals
|
Course code
BLDG1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
High-rise Construction
|
Course code
ARCH2010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Planning and Safety
|
Course code
BLDG2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Development Regulations and Building Codes
|
Course code
BLDG2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Quantity Surveying Fundamentals and Cost Estimating
|
Course code
BLDG2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Infrastructure Construction
|
Course code
BLDG2004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Contract Administration
|
Course code
LAWS2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Building Services
|
Course code
BLDG3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Risk, Quality and People Management
|
Course code
BLDG3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Building Surveying
|
Course code
BLDG3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cost Planning
|
Course code
BLDG3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Commercial Management
|
Course code
BLDG3005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Management Research Methods
|
Course code
BLDG3006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Construction Management
|
Course code
BLDG3800
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Integrated Project
|
Course code
BLDG4001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Building Surveying
|
Course code
BLDG4002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Quantity Surveying
|
Course code
BLDG4003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Construction Contract Administration
|
Course code
BLDG4004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Management Research Project A
|
Course code
BLDG4005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Construction Management Research Project B
|
Course code
BLDG4006
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Construction Management Professional Practice
|
Course code
BLDG3900
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Design and the Sensory Body
|
Course code
ARCH1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Interiors Construction
|
Course code
INTE1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Communication
|
Course code
ARCH2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Engineering Project Management
|
Course code
ENGI2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Project Management Methodologies and Concepts
|
Course code
PROJ2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Urban Design for Health and Sustainability
|
Course code
ARCH3010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Planning, Climate Change and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENVI3007
|
Units
6
|
This degree leads to a variety of careers in construction management, quantity surveying and building surveying. You might manage a construction team, working with architects and engineers to bring designs to life. You may become a building surveyor, ensuring new builds are energy efficient and safe. Or you might focus on building costs as an estimator, calculating and monitoring spends including labour, materials and equipment.
Other roles may include:
The construction industry is a complex, innovative and highly organised commercial sector involving large capital investments. It is increasingly shaped by technological and environmental considerations such as sustainable and smart building practices. Globally, there is a high demand for graduates with skills in these areas, coupled with an understanding of modern building and construction management practices.
Construction is a sector with great employment prospects. Employment across the construction industry has increased nationwide by almost 10% over the past five years and is expected to have an annual growth rate of 5.8% over the next five (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). To improve housing supply nationally, the Australian Government has set a target of 1.2 million homes built by 2029. Meanwhile, there is a national shortage of project managers, estimators and quantity surveyors in every Australian state and territory (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) provides the necessary skills to become a future leader in this evolving industry.
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
