Student portal

Login

Open search Close search

Search

Open main menu Close main menu

Menu

Study Foundation and Bridging today

New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) - Construction

Are you interested in preparing for further study in construction? The New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation is your start to an exciting future in the construction and infrastructure industries.

Level
4
Credits
60 (0.5 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for 16-weeks or part-time options available

Call us now on 0800 10 95 10

Order Brochure Apply Now

Programme overview

This programme is ideal if you want to go on to higher-level study in construction at Unitec. You’ll gain the literacy, math, and basic construction principles required to enter our construction programmes.

Highlights

  • 16-week programme full-time: Speed your way into the NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology, NZ Diploma in Construction*, or Bachelor of Construction
  • *Cross-credits into these programmes: you’ll need fewer credits to gain this qualification.
  • Tailored content for the construction diploma and bachelor: this means the content is highly relevant to the programme you want to enter.
  • In this programme you’ll already be a part of a Construction student body: you’ll be learning with other aspiring construction managers, property developers and/or quantity surveyors.
  • A mix of classroom sessions, practical activities, guest speakers, discussions, presentations and online learning.
  • A chance to engage with Unitec's marae, a great setting to explore mātarangi Māori and the role of culture in communication.

Where to from here?

Graduates of this programme can apply for further study in Unitec’s construction programmes:

Please note: International students who graduate will NOT be eligible for a post-study work visa upon completion of this programme. 

Admission requirements

Domestic students

To apply for this programme, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Academic requirements
  • General admission, special admission, or discretionary admission requirements
  • English language requirements
  • You will need to complete a pre-entry Skills Review session

Academic Requirements

To be eligible for the Construction Pathway, you must meet one of the following: 

  • UE numeracy or equivalent 

  • A minimum total of 40 NCEA Level 2 credits across four subjects, including:  
    • At least 12 credits in Mathematics (preferably achievement standards in algebra, calculus, or trigonometry) 
    • At least 12 credits in English at Level 1 or higher 

Or 

  • A relevant qualification at Level 3 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) or an equivalent international qualification (e.g., International Baccalaureate or Cambridge) 

Or 

General Admission

  • You’ll be 16 years old or older when the programme starts. 
  • If you’re under 16, you’ll need to complete an Early Release Exemption form. For more information on this process please see The Ministry of Education's website here.

Special Admission

  • You’ll be 20 years old or older when the programme starts
  • Show evidence of your work, life, or study experience (e.g., a previous qualification or job history)
  • You will complete a pre-entry Skills review

Discretionary Admission

  • You’re under 20 and don’t meet the general admission requirements 
  • Your level of preparedness for study at the required level will be reviewed and you will undertake a Skills Review. 

English language requirements for international students

You must meet one of the following:

For more information download the programme regulations.

International Student

To apply for this programme, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Academic requirements
  • General admission, special admission, or discretionary admission requirements
  • English language requirements
  • You will need to complete a pre-entry Skills Review session

Academic Requirements

To be eligible for the Construction Pathway, you must meet one of the following: 

  • UE numeracy or equivalent 

  • A minimum total of 40 NCEA Level 2 credits across four subjects, including:  
    • At least 12 credits in Mathematics (preferably achievement standards in algebra, calculus, or trigonometry) 
    • At least 12 credits in English at Level 1 or higher 

Or 

  • A relevant qualification at Level 3 on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) or an equivalent international qualification (e.g., International Baccalaureate or Cambridge) 

Or 

General Admission

  • You’ll be 16 years old or older when the programme starts. 
  • If you’re under 16, you’ll need to complete an Early Release Exemption form. For more information on this process please see The Ministry of Education's website here.

Special Admission

  • You’ll be 20 years old or older when the programme starts
  • Show evidence of your work, life, or study experience (e.g., a previous qualification or job history)
  • You will complete a pre-entry Skills review

Discretionary Admission

  • You’re under 20 and don’t meet the general admission requirements 
  • Your level of preparedness for study at the required level will be reviewed and you will undertake a Skills Review. 

English language requirements for international students

You must meet one of the following:

For more information download the programme regulations.

 

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2026; please check back again soon.

Debug


program code:NZCSP - CONSTRUCTN

Compulsory Course ID:013230 - 4007 - Academic Skills for Business, Construction and Engineering

Course count:36
SELECT DISTINCT (CATALOG_NBR),ACAD_PROG,CRSE_ID,DESCRLONG,SUBJECT,AIM,NQF_LEVEL,NQF_CREDIT,CATALOG_NBR,PREREQS,MANDANTORY_CRS,FULL_YEAR FROM PS_UTC_IR_CRSE_VW WHERE ACAD_PROG = "NZCSP" AND (ACAD_PLAN = "CONSTRUCTN" OR ACAD_PLAN = "") AND MANDANTORY_CRS = "N" AND FULL_YEAR = "N" ORDER BY NQF_LEVEL,SUBJECT,CATALOG_NBR;
Elective Course ID:012694 - 4201 - Business Concepts and Communication

Course count:36

Elective Course ID:013228 - 4203 - Applied Project

Course count:36

Elective Course ID:013227 - 4704 - Exploring Leadership

Course count:64

Elective Course ID:013225 - 4006 - Applied Maths

Course count:54

Compulsory first Course array:4

$compulsory courses array - array(1) { [0]=> array(8) { ["level"]=> string(1) "4" ["crse_id"]=> string(6) "013230" ["subject"]=> string(4) "BPED" ["catalog_nbr"]=> string(4) "4007" ["description"]=> string(58) "Academic Skills for Business, Construction and Engineering" ["credit"]=> string(4) "15.0" ["aim"]=> string(180) "This course introduces pathway-related concepts and develops pathway-related academic skills to prepare tauira for further academic study and/or employment in their chosen pathway." ["prereqs"]=> string(133) "Students must be admitted to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) programme to enrol in this course." } }

Elective first Course array:4

$elective courses array - array(4) { [0]=> array(8) { ["level"]=> string(1) "4" ["crse_id"]=> string(6) "012694" ["subject"]=> string(4) "BEBP" ["catalog_nbr"]=> string(4) "4201" ["description"]=> string(35) "Business Concepts and Communication" ["credit"]=> string(4) "15.0" ["aim"]=> string(98) "To provide an overview of business concepts and enable tauira to communicate business information." ["prereqs"]=> string(124) "Students must be admitted to the NZ Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) programme to enrol in this course." } [1]=> array(8) { ["level"]=> string(1) "4" ["crse_id"]=> string(6) "013228" ["subject"]=> string(4) "BEBP" ["catalog_nbr"]=> string(4) "4203" ["description"]=> string(15) "Applied Project" ["credit"]=> string(4) "15.0" ["aim"]=> string(176) "This course will prepare tauira for further academic study and/or employment in their chosen pathway by providing project experience both as an individual and as a team member." ["prereqs"]=> string(133) "Students must be admitted to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) programme to enrol in this course." } [2]=> array(8) { ["level"]=> string(1) "4" ["crse_id"]=> string(6) "013227" ["subject"]=> string(4) "BECS" ["catalog_nbr"]=> string(4) "4704" ["description"]=> string(20) "Exploring Leadership" ["credit"]=> string(4) "15.0" ["aim"]=> string(279) "This course introduces the concepts of leadership and Rangatira. This is done through exploring the place of self- leadership and the influence of others in our life. Models, theories, and concepts are studied, discussed, and applied through reflective and practical assessments." ["prereqs"]=> string(133) "Students must be admitted to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) programme to enrol in this course." } [3]=> array(8) { ["level"]=> string(1) "4" ["crse_id"]=> string(6) "013225" ["subject"]=> string(4) "BPED" ["catalog_nbr"]=> string(4) "4006" ["description"]=> string(13) "Applied Maths" ["credit"]=> string(4) "15.0" ["aim"]=> string(152) "This course introduces and develops pathway-related mathematical skills to prepare tauira for further study and/or employment in their chosen pathway.??" ["prereqs"]=> string(133) "Students must be admitted to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) programme to enrol in this course." } }

Compulsory coursesElective courses
Level 4
Level 4
Courses Credits Aim
Academic Skills for Business, Construction and Engineering(BPED4007) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces pathway-related concepts and develops pathway-related academic skills to prepare tauira for further academic study and/or employment in their chosen pathway.
Courses Credits Aim
Business Concepts and Communication(BEBP4201) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide an overview of business concepts and enable tauira to communicate business information.
Applied Project(BEBP4203) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course will prepare tauira for further academic study and/or employment in their chosen pathway by providing project experience both as an individual and as a team member.
Exploring Leadership(BECS4704) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces the concepts of leadership and Rangatira. This is done through exploring the place of self- leadership and the influence of others in our life. Models, theories, and concepts are studied, discussed, and applied through reflective and practical assessments.
Applied Maths(BPED4006) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces and develops pathway-related mathematical skills to prepare tauira for further study and/or employment in their chosen pathway.??
button for easy access to information about this qualification

Related Articles

Latest news

Legendary actors share their craft with budding stars through Unitec’s bridging education programme

Some of the country’s leading lights in screen arts and acting are behind a Unitec bridging education programme designed to support students into a pathway of learning.
Career and study options

Study Your Way

Need help fitting study into your life? Check out Unitec's flexible options for learning to make study work for you.
Career and study options

Are you eligible for fees-free study?

If you’re looking to study for the first time, you may be eligible for fees-free support.
Unitec

Got work experience? Fast-track your study

You may be eligible for formal recognition, reducing the time it takes to finish your study. Find out more.
Load more articles
Page last edited: 13 Oct 2025