Graduate Diploma of Construction Management

2027 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2027 course information

Award granted Graduate Diploma of Construction Management
Course credit points8
Deakin course codeS691
Course version1
Faculty

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment

Course information

For students who commenced from 2009 onwards

CampusOffered at Waterfront (Geelong), Online
Duration1 year full-time or part-time equivalent
Course map - enrolment planning tool

The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CRICOS code0101387 Waterfront (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Enter the world of construction management with Deakin's Graduate Diploma of Construction Management. This course is for graduates with a built environment degree who want to take the next step in their career. It is also a pathway for graduates of other disciplines with professional experience in construction wanting to move into construction management.

The course takes a case-based approach to learning, combining theory with practice. You work in a multi-disciplinary context to gain knowledge of construction management, quantity surveying, building information modelling and environmental systems. Graduate with a solid understanding of the construction management, ready to confidently transition into the industry.

On completion of the graduate diploma, you may wish to continue your learning by studying construction management at masters level. This opens more opportunities for career advancement and specialisation.

Career opportunities

As a graduate from a university in the top 200 globally for architecture and built environment subjects*, you will be prepared for a diverse career in the construction industry. You will be equipped with the skills to succeed in areas such as quantity surveying and construction management – ranging from positions in construction companies to roles in quantity surveying, project management, and construction consultancy.

You will also be eligible for relevant positions in the property development arms of government departments and commercial companies such as banks, retailers, and manufacturers. Not only will you find work across a range of areas, but across the globe if you wish. Get set to take your skills far and wide as you pursue a career overseas – whether it be Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or North America.

* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

Pathways

There is strong demand for articulation by industry professionals from related disciplines such as architecture, property and engineering. This course provides opportunities for those people while also acknowledging their prior experience and knowledge.

Upon completion of the Graduate Diploma of Construction Management you can further your studies into:

S791 Master of Construction Management
S792 Master of Construction Management (Professional)

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Construction Management (S591)

Course learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes
Develop and demonstrate a complex body of knowledge of construction management, systems and practices, cost planning, economics and control, and information management in order to manage construction companies and projects.

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, and contribute within a project team.

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 environment implication analyses for construction projects. Use digital technologies, including information systems to evaluate and assess modelling and scenario building.
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.
Demonstrate 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.
Engage ethically and professionally when working in a variety of construction management situations both nationally and globally.

Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Construction Management you must pass 8 credit points.  The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.

An 8-credit point Graduate Diploma of Construction Management includes:

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
  • SRA710 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
  • 7 credit points of core units
  • 1 course elective unit.

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

You are required to complete seven core units (these are essential units for this degree).

In your first trimester you must also complete three 0-credit point units which are compulsory for this degree.

Year 1 - Trimester 1

DAI001Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

SRA710Safety Induction Program (0 credit points)

STP710Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

SRM776Introduction to Construction Management ^~

SRQ780Construction Procurement, Law and Contract Administration *

SRQ774Construction Measurement and Estimating *

SRM751Principles of Building Information Modelling

Year 1 - Trimester 2

SRT757Building Systems and Environment

SRQ762Cost Planning

SRQ764Building Project Evaluation

Plus one course elective unit. 

* Unit offered in Trimester 1 and Trimester 3

^ Unit offered in every trimester

~ Completion of STP710 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit) as a co-requisite

Course electives

You must choose one course elective from this list. (subject to meeting unit prerequisites).

SRD760Urban Informatics

SRL733Indigenous Narratives and Design Processes

SRC724Architecture Communication: Advanced

SET721Engineering Sustainability

SEN770Infrastructure Engineering

SLE740Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation

SLE741Regional Development Economics for Sustainability

SLE742Systems Thinking for Sustainability and Resilience

SLE715Circular Economy

SLE756Sustainability in the Anthropocene

SLE757Environmental Science and Global Change

MIS770Foundation Skills in Data Analysis

MIS715Responsible Artificial Intelligence

MMH707Managed Change

MPM780Foundations in Leadership

MAF752Principles of Finance

MMH701Human Resource Strategy

MPM722Human Resource Management

MMP713Property and Real Estate Context

MMP721Property and Real Estate Law and Practice

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for students to complete a work integrated learning unit.

Explore the SEBE WIL program


Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Fees and charges

Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.

Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.

Estimate your fees

Further information

Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.

Contact Student Central