Key facts
Duration
2 years full-time
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Are you ready to advance your career in construction management? Dive deeper into the world of construction with Deakin’s Master of Construction Management (Professional). If you hold a degree in a civil engineering or built environment discipline, this course will help you further your interests and take the next step in your career. In a supportive environment, get ready to challenge your thinking and nurture your drive to be a lifelong learner in a dynamic industry.
This course is also for those with undergraduate qualifications in non-related disciplines who have proven professional experience in construction, whether through public or private enterprises. It is your chance to formalise your entry into the construction management industry and take your career to the next level. Elevate your understanding of construction management through developing specialised skills in the theoretical, evaluative, and research frameworks that underpin the profession.
Ready to take your career in construction to new heights?
Immerse yourself in a multi-disciplinary context exploring the latest topics shaping the built environment industry. From procurement through to project economics, cost management, quantity surveying, business and construction management, professional practice, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and sustainability, you will explore it all. Benefit from industry-connected academics who will equip you with the skills needed to tackle real-world challenges in the construction sector with confidence.
Develop your leadership and teamwork abilities through collaboration, helping you improve project outcomes in the workplace. Enhance your communication skills to effectively inform, negotiate, and motivate a team. You will also learn to mediate and resolve issues in construction projects by understanding legal, economic, and environmental impacts.
In today’s job market, employers are not just looking for proficiency – they want graduates who are ready to hit the ground running. As a graduate of the Master of Construction Management (Professional), you will be well prepared for a variety of roles in research or industry, from quantity surveying to project management and construction management, and beyond. Explore exciting opportunities with leading construction companies, business organisations with property portfolios, and consulting agencies.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Construction Management (Professional)
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- S792
- CRICOS code?
- 079321G Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Course structure
To complete the Master of Construction Management (Professional), students must pass 16 credit points, which must include the following.
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- SRA710 Safety Induction Program (0-credit point compulsory unit)
- STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point unit) as a co-requisite for SRM776 Introduction to Construction Management
- 13 core units (14 credit points)
- 2 credit points of level 7 open elective units or Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
14
Core units credit points
2
Elective units
16
Total
Core
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Year 1 - Trimester 2
Plus 1 level 7 open elective (one credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Plus 1 level 7 open elective (one credit point)
Year 2 - Trimester 2
*Unit offered in Trimester 1 and Trimester 3
**Unit offered in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2
***Unit offered in Trimester 1, Trimester 2 and as a placement offering only in Trimester 3
# Students intending to apply for entry into Higher Degree by Research may be required to complete SRR711 Thesis instead of SRR721 Construction Research Project
~ Completion of STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit) as a co-requisite
Electives
Select from a range of open elective units offered across many courses. In some cases you may even be able to choose elective units from a completely different discipline area (subject to meeting unit requirements).
Stackable short courses
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 cp microcredentials) to earn up to 2 credit point(s) of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. See more information on Deakin stackable short course options.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, site visits and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
You can apply to undertake a discipline specific industry placement as part of your course.
Visit deakin.edu.au/sebe/wil
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor's degree or higher in a related discipline*
- completion of a bachelor's degree in any discipline and 2 years of relevant professional work experience^ (or part-time equivalent)
- at least 7 years of relevant professional work experience^ (or part-time equivalent)
* related discipline include architecture, building, civil engineering, property, quantity surveying, building surveying and construction management.
^ relevant professional work experience include architect, building designer, civil engineer, construction site/project manager, estimator, quantity surveyor, contract administrator, building inspector, building surveyor, property consultant.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning in your application. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Careers
Career outcomes
This course gives you the technical skills to secure roles as a:
- construction manager
- contract administrator
- estimator
- project manager
- quantity surveyor.
As a graduate of this course, you will find career opportunities with a wide range of employers. From construction companies to consultancies and client organisations, you will find yourself at home in a variety of settings. Beyond that, you will be equipped for roles in the property development arms of government departments, and in commercial entities like banks, retailers, and manufacturers.
Construction management professionals are generally highly mobile, and The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accreditation offers you an immediate passport to global recognition. Whether your ambitions lie in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or North America, your qualification will open doors to exciting possibilities across the globe.
If you are an experienced mid-career construction professional in search of your next challenge, this course is your gateway to future leadership roles within the industry.
Professional recognition
The course is professionally accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), and the Australian Institute of Building (AIB).
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Integrate broad and specialist knowledge of construction management practices in the industry and advocate sustainable management of social built environments in urban, regional and rural communities through professional practice. Apply an integrated specialised and evidence-based scholarly knowledge of ever-changing construction industry practices in order to improve construction economics and construction life cycle management. Develop and demonstrate a complex body of knowledge of construction management and practices, cost planning and control, legal and risk management in order to manage construction companies and projects. |
| Communication | Communicate clearly, professionally and responsibly with specialist and non-specialist audiences in a variety of contexts using oral, written, graphical and interpersonal skills to inform, negotiate, lead and motivate a project team. Engage with a variety of participants and contributing influences including legal, economic and environmental impacts in construction projects to mediate, negotiate and collaboratively resolve issues and conflicts. |
| Digital literacy | Apply knowledge of relevant technical tools and methodologies to locate, collect, analyse and synthesise complex information from a variety of sources to prepare cost benefit plans and legal, risk and environment implication analyses for construction projects. Apply knowledge of digital technologies for modelling and scenario building, including information systems to evaluate and assess various scenarios for disseminating relevant analysis to clients. |
| Critical thinking | Use expert reasoning and analysis skills, drawing on knowledge and information from a range of professional or scholarly sources to reflect on, analyse and synthesise complex legal, economic and environmental influences and impacts for collaboratively and independently planning and making decisions in construction. |
| Problem solving | Apply specialized technical skills and judgment to identify potential legal, environmental and economic risks and problems and recommend appropriate solutions for effective risk management in construction. Demonstrate professionalism, autonomy and well-developed judgement to independently and collaborative generate strategies and solutions to manage construction projects at various stages including planning, implementing, construction and evaluation of the built environment. |
| Self-management | Apply critical reflection and use frameworks of self and peer evaluation to develop independent judgment, adaptability and responsibility for expert professional practice and / or scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Apply interpersonal skills to interact, contribute, collaborate and develop leadership skills through teamwork activities, and enhance project potential through shared individual and collective knowledge and creative capacity to optimise complex problem resolution. |
| Global citizenship | Engage ethically and professionally when working in a variety of construction management situations through concern for legal, economic, environmental and social risks both nationally and globally. |
Approved by Faculty Board 27 June 2019