Overview
Gain the vital skills and knowledge to become an in-demand building surveyor with a Bachelor of Building Surveying at Victoria University (VU).
Prepare for critical roles improving the safety and quality of our built environment at the only university in Victoria offering a Bachelor of Building Surveying.
In this unique specialised building surveyor degree, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge online and in real-time, without the need for traditional classrooms or labs.
Graduate ready to work as a registered building surveyor, accredited by the Victoria Building Authority (VBA) and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS). As a degree-qualified building surveyor with three years of relevant work experience, you’ll be able to work on buildings of any size and height.
You’ll become a specialist in:
- building and construction legislation and auditing
- inspection procedures
- building codes and regulations
- industry standards in professional practice
- building safety and design, including fire safety
- sustainable construction techniques and materials.
Nearly every construction job needs building surveyors. With a current shortage of registered building surveyors in Australia’s growing construction industry, your in-demand skills will include:
- assessing building plans and documents
- providing independent oversight of construction work
- checking that structures comply with legislation and relevant building codes
- ensuring buildings are safe to occupy
- confirming that buildings are energy efficient and accessible to all.
Enjoy the flexibility of studying this course 100% online, with just nine scheduled hours of classes per week.
Industry connections & practical learning
Everything you learn in your Bachelor of Building Surveying covers the latest, up-to-date knowledge informed by our industry partners, which include:
- Hendry Group
- McKenzie Group Consulting
- Skip Consulting
- Engineers Australia
- The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
- VicRoads
- Australian Institute of Building Surveying (AIBS)
- National Measurement Institute
- city councils for Melbourne, Brimbank, Hume, Maribyrnong and Kingston.
As a VU student, you’ll connect with our industry partners via regular real-world projects, learn from guest speakers, visit work sites, and attend industry expos.
Supportive & engaging learning environment
You’ll learn from committed academics with extensive industry experience, alongside construction management and building design students.
In third year, you’ll bring together everything you’ve learned in the course to focus on an applied real-world project sourced from an industry partner. Working within a small team, you’ll take responsibility for the design, planning and organisation of your project – setting yourself up for success in the workplace.
Get credit for previous study
If you hold an Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying, you may be eligible to gain one year of credit to skip first year and start in second year.
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backCareers in building surveying
By qualifying as a registered building surveyor, you’ll be helping to address the huge skills shortage facing Australia as our building and construction industry continues to grow.
With a Bachelor of Building Surveying, you’ll be ready to work in construction, professional, scientific and technical services, or public administration and safety. According to the AIBS, you could earn a starting salary of $80,000, and as a fully-qualified building surveyor, you could earn up to $250,000 per year.
Enjoy the benefits of independent self-employment or working in the private and public sectors for employers such as:
- building proprietors
- contractors
- developers
- local, state or national government bodies
- consultancy practices.
With a Bachelor of Building Surveying, you can work as a registered building surveyor with Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registration in the building surveyor (unlimited) class, and graduate membership of the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors (AIBS) with building surveyor (limited) registration.
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Building Surveying students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:
-
96 credit points of First Year Core studies;
-
192 credit points of Professional Core and Capstone studies.
Course structure and units
First Year Core Units
-
- Unit code
- NBC1101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC1103
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBD1100
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC1111
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NAD1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC1104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC1113
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC1112
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- NBC2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC2109
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- NBC2003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC2005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBD3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NEA2201
- Credits
- 12
Year 3, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- NBC3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3101
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3008
- Credits
- 12
Year 3, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- NBC3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3204
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- NBC3009
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Plan, implement and manage the delivery of efficient and effective building surveying strategies over the course of building construction processes in diverse contemporary contexts using independent thinking and professional judgement. | ||
| 2. | Generate innovative solutions for complex building surveying challenges that comply with relevant codes and standards and take account of technical innovations, ethical practices, and environmental sustainability; | ||
| 3. | Critically evaluate the sources and validity of various types of information and utilise established processes for effective information management; | ||
| 4. | Articulate and effectively advocate for building surveying objectives and outcomes to specialist and non-specialist stakeholders using a variety of professional forms of communication; | ||
| 5. | Exemplify collaboration, interpersonal and supervisory skills to positively influence personal work, community, and professional networks; | ||
| 6. | Exhibit ethical and cultural awareness and collaborative skills necessary for working within divergent global and Australian contexts; and | ||
| 7. | Exemplify responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice within the broad parameters of the building surveying industry. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Construction, Environmental Sustainability or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Pathways from other institutions
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
Builders Academy Australia, Australia
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
Builders Academy Australia, Australia
You will be credited for up to 120 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
