Master of Construction Practice

Further your knowledge of the Construction Industry!

The May semester for this program will be delivered remotely. In these extraordinary times, students will be able to access Bond's exceptional, personalised learning experience from all around the world. Learn more about remote learning at Bond

As one of the largest economic sectors, the construction industry seeks graduates with distinctive skills, knowledge and practical experience across a variety of fields. The Master of Construction Practice at Bond equips graduates with the necessary knowledge in management and skills to deliver complex construction projects. Graduates will gain a professionally recognised qualification and in turn, enhance their career potential in the field of construction practice.

Postgraduate scholarships

In 2020 we are offering a number of partial tuition fee 30th Anniversary Postgraduate Scholarships to high achieving domestic students applying to commence postgraduate studies at Bond University in either the May or September semester.

Apply now

Gain a Double Masters in just 2 years at Bond

Wentao Wang chose to travel to Bond University from China to complete her Master of Construction Practice degree. Hear Wentao talk about the opportunities she’s received at Bond and how it will help her to stand out in her future career.

Harsimran Singh from India chose to study his Master of Construction Management / Master of Project Management at Bond University in Australia for many reasons, including the opportunity to gain a Double Masters in just 2 years.

Gain professional recognition

The Master of Construction Practice is professionally recognised by some of Australia’s leading professional bodies. This allows graduates to differentiate themselves within the industry. Graduates are internationally recognised by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) as well as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). They are also nationally accredited with the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), and meets the educational requirement set by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) for the granting of an Open Builders Licence.

Further, the program is also delivered in intensive mode. Intensive Mode Delivery is a compact and time efficient way to complete a postgraduate qualification with minimal impact on professional and personal lifestyles. Each subject is delivered over two weekends during the semester. There are two sets of three-day sessions per subject, generally scheduled Thursday to Saturday (approximately six to eight contact hours per day) with a break of four or five weeks between session one and session two of each subject.

Participants will receive 40 hours of combined lectures, discussion groups, case studies and workshops during contact hours. International students are required to be on campus every week.

Combined Degree Options

Master of Construction Practice / Master of Project Management

Find out if this program is eligible for Centrelink support.

Testimonials

I studied my Master of Construction Practice at Bond University from September 2014 and finished in December 2015. After finishing my undergraduate degree in Town Planning, I realised that although I could get a building approved, I would never get to see it get built. So, I began my search for a degree that would get me building! My search ended with two main contenders: one program was in Melbourne and would take three years to complete, whereas Bond would only take 18 months for the same degree because of the trimesters. So, I chose Bond. Show more
I studied my Master of Construction Practice at Bond University from September 2014 and finished in December 2015. After finishing my undergraduate degree in Town Planning, I realised that although I could get a building approved, I would never get to see it get built. So, I began my search for a degree that would get me building! My search ended with two main contenders: one program was in Melbourne and would take three years to complete, whereas Bond would only take 18 months for the same degree because of the trimesters. So, I chose Bond.
Getting into a field I had no idea about was daunting, but that slowly changed when I started meeting my lecturers. These guys and girls had achieved just about everything in their working life and were now passing on the knowledge to me! I sat there in awe learning about how one lecturer had a huge part in the construction side of the Sydney Olympics, to another lecturer who literally studies how buildings fall over.
I mean, talk about learning from the best! Then there are those small class sizes, meaning you get to interact with both the lecturer but also the small group of students you study with. I found friends very quickly in my program, and we learned to study together as well as socialise outside of class. We still catch up regularly and share our stories about life after our degree.
For those wondering, yes, we all of us went onto get pretty good jobs, some of us pursued jobs as Contract Administrators, junior Project Managers, Estimators and Quantity Surveyors. But me I chose Site Engineering.
I was very fortunate to get a job with a Canberra based company called Morris Property Group, building a multi million dollar residential tower in Burleigh Heads. I was thrown straight into the deep end but very quickly learned how to swim. My job sees me co-ordinate between design and delivery teams, programming weekly and monthly site activities, managing sub-contractors, co-ordinating with design teams and liaising between clients, sub-contractors and internal teams.
The programming side of the job came naturally to me - as we were taught about programming at uni, I knew all the construction programs back to front and looked like a pro. The hard part for me was the co-ordinating and managing subcontractors who had years of the industry experience and knowledge over me, but again I believe Bond prepared me for this moment unintentionally. Throwing me in the deep end of my studies, I learned I needed to equip myself quickly with knowledge to prepare me for my next class, exam or assignment and I did it well, so well I found myself doing something I had never done in my 9 years of uni prior to my Bond degree…getting awards. So, when I hit the building site and found myself doing exactly what Bond taught me, I equipped myself with knowledge.
I attended three universities before Bond, studying three different degrees, so I think I am qualified to say why you should choose Bond over other universities. Put it this way: if you want to be just another number, and don’t mind getting taught by researchers, then choose another university. If you want to learn from real professionals, who teach you from their life experiences and knowledge in a small class where the lecturer knows your name …then Bond is the university for you.
I would recommend Bond University to anyone and everyone. It was the best university I have ever attended and my experience with all the staff and fellow students was second to none.
Thank you, Bond. I hope I have at least convinced one future student to join our Bond family. You won’t regret it! Show less

"I studied Master of Construction Practice (Professional) at Bond from 2013-2015. I was not quite sure about what to study before I went to Bond. I had been working in sales for a few years before I came to Australia, and I didn’t like it. I was just seeking some kind of career change by then, but my Bachelor’s degree limited my choice. By then I just had some general idea that I wanted to learn something a bit more practical, something that will have a tangible result in the end. Construction fits all of the above description, so I decided to give it a go. Another reason is I know Quantity Surveyor is on the Skilled Immigration List. Even though I was not sure if I want to stay in Australia yet, I thought that having a backup plan can never go wrong. Show more
"I studied Master of Construction Practice (Professional) at Bond from 2013-2015. I was not quite sure about what to study before I went to Bond. I had been working in sales for a few years before I came to Australia, and I didn’t like it. I was just seeking some kind of career change by then, but my Bachelor’s degree limited my choice. By then I just had some general idea that I wanted to learn something a bit more practical, something that will have a tangible result in the end. Construction fits all of the above description, so I decided to give it a go. Another reason is I know Quantity Surveyor is on the Skilled Immigration List. Even though I was not sure if I want to stay in Australia yet, I thought that having a backup plan can never go wrong.
At the time, there were only a few universities whose degrees are authorised by RICS and AIQS, and Bond was among them. I was also informed that Bond has smaller class sizes, which was the main reason I chose Bond in the end; because I didn’t have construction background, smaller class will guarantee each student get enough guidance form teachers.
When I studied at Bond, my teachers always tried to bring in the industry’s latest trends and technologies into the classroom, and we also had some training in the most popular industrial software such as Cost X, Revit etc. In the last trimester, Professor Rick Best also invited professionals specialised in different fields in construction to the classes to give us a broader view of the industry and let us know more career choices for us in the industry. When I talked with students from other universities, it seemed they never had such a chance.
What I liked best about Bond is that the teachers are very patient and willing to help; some of them are more like friends to me rather than teachers! Staff from other departments are also quite so helpful, such as the Library, Career Development Centre and Learning Support Centre. Generally speaking, I feel that every student is taken care of at Bond, as long as they reach out for help.
Studying at Bond was quite a pleasant experience. I did spend a lot of time learning new knowledge, which benefit me a lot now at workplace. I also met new friends from all over the world, which is quite an exciting experience, since through them I know a lot of different cultures. I also formed a habit of working out at Bond, because it is so easy to access to the gym. By the way, the new gym is one of the best that I’ve ever seen so far.
I am currently a Consultant (Cost Management) at Aquenta – A Jacobs Company – in Sydney. I’m mainly doing cost estimate for building projects and assessing variations. What I learnt at Bond is basically what I’m doing now at work, so it was not that hard for me to catch up the work at the beginning.
I’ve never studied in other universities in Australia, but compared with what I was told by students from other universities, Bond students do have more chance to communicate with teachers and more access to the resource on campus. Bond has free parking for students on campus and Bond students don’t need to pay extra for the gym; I heard some universities don’t have these.
I’m more than happy to recommend studying at Bond. I think other than the subjects within the program, students can get a lot more from Bond. There are always different events going on, social and academic. Staff from different student services departments who are always available to help. If there is someone I knew who was interested in construction, I will definitely recommend the program I studied at Bond." Show less

Key features

Gain professional recognition by some of Australia’s leading professional bodies
Learn via intensive mode delivery
Learn in the University’s Sustainable Development Building Precinct promoting sustainable practices of tomorrow

About the program

The Master of Construction Practice covers a comprehensive range of subjects in the field of construction practice, focusing on the management and delivery of complex construction projects. The curriculum addresses a range of topics including building structures and soil mechanics, construction technology, construction techniques, plant and equipment, contract administration, building measurement, finance and cost planning, project management, refurbishment and retrofitting and risks. The program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The program also meets the educational requirements of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) for attainment of an Open Builders License. Show less

Mode	On Campus The May 2020 semester will be delivered remotely.
Duration	4 semesters (1 year 4 months)
Starting semesters	May 2020 September 2020 January 2021 May 2021 September 2021 January 2022 May 2022 September 2022
Program type	Masters Coursework
Study area	Architecture and Built Environment
Program code	SD-93027
CRICOS code	071288B
Credit for prior study	For more details on applying for credit, please contact the Student Business Centre: [email protected]

Industry overview

Construction is a fast paced and evolving industry, with sustainability a prominent concern for both the private and government sectors. Roles within the construction industry can be applied to practitioners such as estimators or contract managers, or as professionals such as quantity surveyors or project managers. Graduates equipped with the skills to apply innovative and adaptable solutions within complex environments are highly sought after.

Professional outcomes

This degree will provide you with access to a wide range of career pathways in the construction industry. Opportunities include building and construction management, contract administration, site management, facilities management, building services, quantity surveying, property development, project management, cost management and general management. The skill sets obtained in this degree may also be applied to related sectors such as civil engineering and mining. Graduates will be equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of sustainable development, and will be able to seek work anywhere in Australia or around the world.

Structure and subjects

View the Master of Construction Practice - Program Structure and Sequencing

The structure of the Master of Construction Practice is based on both theoretical and practical subjects. This program is designed in close consultation with prominent industry professional boards to ensure the integrity and contemporary relevance of the degree.

This program enables you to exit after four subjects with a graduate certificate, after eight subjects with a graduate diploma or complete 12 subjects for a master’s degree.

Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice (4)

The Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice program comprises 4 subjects, as follows:

Required Subjects (1)

Understanding Buildings

Optional Subjects (2 + 1)
Choose 2 from the below subjects:

Plus choose 1 from the following:

Graduate Diploma in Construction Practice (8)

View the Graduate Diploma in Construction Practice - Program Structure and Sequencing

The Graduate Diploma in Construction Practice program comprises 8 subjects, as follows:

Core subjects (8)

Required subjects (1)

Understanding Buildings (SSUD71-101)

Optional subjects (5 + 2)

Choose 5 from the below subjects:

Measurement 1 (SSUD71-317)
Commercial Construction and Engineering (SSUD71-313)
Project Contract Administration (SSUD71-308)
Building Services (SSUD71-309)
Principles of Project Management (SSUD71-103)
Structures and Materials (SDCM71-316)

Plus choose 2 from the following:

Building Controls and Regulation (SDCM71-314)
Expert Witness and Dispute Resolution (SDCM71-323)
Real Estate Property Rights (SDCM71-106)
Sustainable Refurbishment and Retrofit (SDCM71-324)
Building Pathology and Forensic Engineering (SDCM71-322)
Planning and Assessment Processes (SSUD71-300)

Master of Construction Practice (12)

To complete a Master of Construction Practice, you must complete all of the subjects below:

And select two subjects from the following options:

Program fees

The below fees are based on an average per semester cost, fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester:

2020 fees: $15,245 per semester (based on 3 subjects per semester)
2021 fees: $15,785 per semester (based on 3 subjects per semester)

Price may vary depending on elective discipline choice.

To support students during the economic crisis created by the current pandemic, financial aid will be provided to students in Semester 2 in 2020. This is in the form of a one-off tuition fee relief, which will be a 20% reduction in Semester 2 tuition fees. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than if you went to another university.

This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.

Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.

Admission criteria

Academic entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent from an approved institution OR qualifications AND/OR relevant professional experience deemed equivalent by the Dean.

Pathways into this program are available via the Graduate Certificate in Construction Practice and Graduate Diploma in Construction Practice.

Please contact the Office of Future Students for further information.

English language proficiency requirements

As tuition is delivered in English, all students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language. Read more detailed information on English Language Proficiency Requirements for university study.

Credit for prior study

Subject credits may be awarded for previous studies. To apply for credits, you will need to submit academic transcripts including detailed subject outlines/course descriptions for each relevant subject and/or certified copies of testamurs to the Office of Future Students. Please refer to how to apply for credit for more information

Key dates

Bond University calendar

How to apply

In order to apply for study at Bond University, you will need to complete the Online Application Form. To find out more about the application process please refer to How to Apply.