Building & construction

Interested in specialising in building and construction for a career? We deliver apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, skills recognition and other programs tailored to industry needs.

Courses in building & construction

Undergraduate (entry-level university courses)
University study undertaken before you graduate with a degree (up to including a bachelor with honours).
Bachelor of Building Surveying
NBBS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)
NHCM | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering)
NHEC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time
Undergraduate Certificate in Architectural Design
NUAD | Bachelor degree | Duration: 0.5 years full time
Undergraduate Certificate in Building Construction Management
NUBC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 0.5 years full time
- Single units of study
  If you are interested in studying but aren't ready to start a full course, consider enrolling in one or more single units of study.
- VCE, preparation & English language
  We offer English language, foundation studies and secondary school VCE courses for international students and domestic (Australian) students.
Postgraduate (higher-level university courses)
University study undertaken after you graduate with a bachelor degree (or acquire equivalent experience).
Doctor of Philosophy
UPAF | Postgraduate | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
UPAG | Postgraduate | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time
Graduate Certificate in Building Surveying
NTBS | Postgraduate | Duration: 0.5 years part time
Graduate Certificate in Construction Project Management
NTCP | Postgraduate | Duration: 0.5 years full time
Graduate Certificate in Performance-Based Building & Fire Codes
ETQB | Postgraduate | Duration: 1 year part time
Graduate Diploma in Building Surveying
NGBS | Postgraduate | Duration: 1 year full time or longer for part time
Master of Applied Research
URAP | Postgraduate | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time
Master of Research
URRS | Postgraduate | Duration: 1.5 years full time or longer for part time
- Single units of study
  If you are interested in studying but aren't ready to start a full course, consider enrolling in one or more single units of study.
TAFE (technical and further education)
Practical courses that teach trades and other hands-on work or life skills. Also known as vocational education.
22614VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
22614VIC | TAFE | Duration: 4 months full time
22627VIC Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
22627VIC | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time
22682VIC Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational)
22682VIC | TAFE | Duration: 4 months full time or longer for part time
22701VIC Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)
22701VIC | TAFE | Duration: 3 months full time
BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management
BSB50820 | TAFE | Duration: 1.5 years part time
CPC20720 Certificate II in Drainage
CPC20720 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years part time
CPC30216 Certificate III in Signs and Graphics
CPC30216 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time
CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry
CPC30220 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time
CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing
CPC32420 | TAFE | Duration: 4 years part time
CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
CPC33020 | TAFE | Duration: 3 years part time
CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
CPC40920 | TAFE | Duration: 3 years part time
CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
CPC50220 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time
CPC60121 Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
CPC60121 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time
MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
MEM30219 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time
MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology
MSF30322 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time
RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction
RII20720 | TAFE | Duration: 10 weeks full time
RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
RII30820 | TAFE | Duration: 0.5 years full time
RII40720 Certificate IV in Civil Construction
RII40720 | TAFE | Duration: 1 year part time
UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
UEE30820 | TAFE | Duration: 4 years part time
- VCE, preparation & English language
  We offer English language, foundation studies and secondary school VCE courses for international students and domestic (Australian) students.
Short courses (personal and professional development)
A quick way to up-skill that doesn't result in a university qualification (award), but may lead to industry certification or workplace recognition.
PLUMLICSS1 Plumbing Licence for Common Units Skill Set
PLUMLICSS1 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 6 months
PLUMLICSS2 Plumbing Licence in Drainage Work Skill Set
PLUMLICSS2 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 7 months
PLUMLICSS3 Plumbing Licence in Gasfitting Work Skill Set
PLUMLICSS3 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 3 months
PLUMLICSS4 Plumbing Licence in Mechanical Services Skill Set
PLUMLICSS4 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 5 months
PLUMLICSS5 Plumbing Licence in Roofing (Stormwater) Work Skill Set
PLUMLICSS5 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 15 weeks
PLUMLICSS6 Plumbing Licence in Sanitary Work Skill Set
PLUMLICSS6 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 3 months
PLUMLICSS7 Plumbing Licence in Water Supply Work Skill Set
PLUMLICSS7 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 4 months
TNACB Plumber Essential Mechanical Skills
TNACB | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 7 weeks
- Single units of study
  If you are interested in studying but aren't ready to start a full course, consider enrolling in one or more single units of study.
- More short courses
  We offer a range of courses that can be completed in less than six months, including university certificates and specialised professional learning.

Undergraduate (entry-level university courses)

University study undertaken before you graduate with a degree (up to including a bachelor with honours).

Bachelor of Building Surveying

NBBS | Bachelor degree | Duration: 3 years full time or longer for part time

Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

NHCM | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering)

NHEC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time

Undergraduate Certificate in Architectural Design

NUAD | Bachelor degree | Duration: 0.5 years full time

Undergraduate Certificate in Building Construction Management

NUBC | Bachelor degree | Duration: 0.5 years full time

Postgraduate (higher-level university courses)

University study undertaken after you graduate with a bachelor degree (or acquire equivalent experience).

Doctor of Philosophy

UPAF | Postgraduate | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time

Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)

UPAG | Postgraduate | Duration: 4 years full time or longer for part time

Graduate Certificate in Building Surveying

NTBS | Postgraduate | Duration: 0.5 years part time

Graduate Certificate in Construction Project Management

NTCP | Postgraduate | Duration: 0.5 years full time

Graduate Certificate in Performance-Based Building & Fire Codes

ETQB | Postgraduate | Duration: 1 year part time

Graduate Diploma in Building Surveying

NGBS | Postgraduate | Duration: 1 year full time or longer for part time

Master of Applied Research

URAP | Postgraduate | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time

Master of Research

URRS | Postgraduate | Duration: 1.5 years full time or longer for part time

Single units of study
If you are interested in studying but aren't ready to start a full course, consider enrolling in one or more single units of study.

TAFE (technical and further education)

Practical courses that teach trades and other hands-on work or life skills. Also known as vocational education.

22614VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship

22614VIC | TAFE | Duration: 4 months full time

22627VIC Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)

22627VIC | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time

22682VIC Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational)

22682VIC | TAFE | Duration: 4 months full time or longer for part time

22701VIC Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-apprenticeship)

22701VIC | TAFE | Duration: 3 months full time

BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management

BSB50820 | TAFE | Duration: 1.5 years part time

CPC20720 Certificate II in Drainage

CPC20720 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years part time

CPC30216 Certificate III in Signs and Graphics

CPC30216 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time

CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry

CPC30220 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time

CPC32420 Certificate III in Plumbing

CPC32420 | TAFE | Duration: 4 years part time

CPC33020 Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying

CPC33020 | TAFE | Duration: 3 years part time

CPC40920 Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

CPC40920 | TAFE | Duration: 3 years part time

CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

CPC50220 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time

CPC60121 Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying

CPC60121 | TAFE | Duration: 2 years full time or longer for part time

MEM30219 Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade

MEM30219 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time

MSF30322 Certificate III in Cabinet Making and Timber Technology

MSF30322 | TAFE | Duration: Up to Four Years (Standard Completion Three Years) part time

RII20720 Certificate II in Civil Construction

RII20720 | TAFE | Duration: 10 weeks full time

RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations

RII30820 | TAFE | Duration: 0.5 years full time

RII40720 Certificate IV in Civil Construction

RII40720 | TAFE | Duration: 1 year part time

UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

UEE30820 | TAFE | Duration: 4 years part time

VCE, preparation & English language
We offer English language, foundation studies and secondary school VCE courses for international students and domestic (Australian) students.

Short courses (personal and professional development)

A quick way to up-skill that doesn't result in a university qualification (award), but may lead to industry certification or workplace recognition.

PLUMLICSS1 Plumbing Licence for Common Units Skill Set

PLUMLICSS1 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 6 months

PLUMLICSS2 Plumbing Licence in Drainage Work Skill Set

PLUMLICSS2 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 7 months

PLUMLICSS3 Plumbing Licence in Gasfitting Work Skill Set

PLUMLICSS3 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 3 months

PLUMLICSS4 Plumbing Licence in Mechanical Services Skill Set

PLUMLICSS4 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 5 months

PLUMLICSS5 Plumbing Licence in Roofing (Stormwater) Work Skill Set

PLUMLICSS5 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 15 weeks

PLUMLICSS6 Plumbing Licence in Sanitary Work Skill Set

PLUMLICSS6 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 3 months

PLUMLICSS7 Plumbing Licence in Water Supply Work Skill Set

PLUMLICSS7 | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 4 months

TNACB Plumber Essential Mechanical Skills

TNACB | Short course (non-award) | Duration: 7 weeks

Why choose VU

Studying building & construction at VU

Sarah Oleksiuk, Masters graduate poses smiling in hard hat with city skyline behind her

Women in Science & Engineering (WISE)

Our Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) program supports current female students and inspire future generations of women to choose engineering & science careers.

VU Block Model

Complete one unit (subject) at a time, in workshop-style classes, with our award-winning learning model

Pathways into engineering

If you don’t yet meet the entry requirements to get into your chosen engineering course, we'll get you where you need to be with our study pathways between courses.

Career outcomes

Many of our graduates gain employment in the following industries:

bricklaying
building and construction
electrical
engineering
plumbing
signage
surveying
welding.

VU stories

How VU prepared Annelyse for the real world

Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)

"Through practical industry subjects, VU gave me the confidence to work as part of a team to support the delivery of large-scale projects and I gained invaluable knowledge that allowed me to stand out."

Annelyse's story