HomeProgrammesConstruction & Built EnvironmentNew Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology

New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology

Level 6

Are you interested in a career designing houses or commercial buildings? The UCOL New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology might be what you’re looking for and can launch your career in the architecture industry.

A student in an architectural class.
Quick info

Level: 6

Locations: UCOL Manawatū in Palmerston North

Duration: 2 years full-time (42 weeks each year)
Part-time option available.
(See Course Hours & Duration for details)

Dates:
19 Feb 2024 - 06 Dec 2024

Domestic Fees: *
$7,753.00

Scholarship info

International Fees:*
$25,000.00 + Student Services Levy $591.00

Additional Fees
Compulsory course costs may apply.

* Fees are indicative only, and are inclusive of the student services levy and GST (goods and services tax). The fee shown is for one year of study.

The Diploma in Architectural Technology is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to work as an architectural technician. You will gain competency to work on large and complex building projects under the supervision of an experienced architectural technician, designer, or architect.

This qualification provides employers and consumers with the confidence that the working drawings you produce will meet New Zealand legislation requirements, Codes of Practice, and New Zealand and Australian Standards.


 Course Hours & Duration

This programme runs for 42 weeks each year, including 6 holiday weeks for two years.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time
20 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings, practicals and builds, timetable set by your lecturer.
Study Time
13 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time. Talk to us about your options with this programme.

 Career & Study Outcomes

Graduates can progress into further tertiary study at diploma or degree level in Architectural Technology, Construction Management, or Quantity Surveying.

Graduates who are entering the industry will be able to work as architectural technicians. Further training and studies will open career options, including architecture designer, architect, interior designer, urban designer, landscape architect, or other construction, planning, and design roles.

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Architects, see careers.govt.nz

 Course Information

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL Te Pūkenga is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time. If you have any questions call an Enrolment Advisor on 0800 468 265.

This programme consists of 240 credits. 

Communication in the Construction Industry (15 Credits)
Learners will learn to communicate effectively and be aware of legislation in the construction industry. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe roles and responsibilities within the construction industry.
  • Define communication protocols and establish procedures to facilitate and monitor communication on a construction project.
  • Describe the relevance of key statutes and regulations to the NZ construction industry.
  • Explain the legal standing of the Treaty of Waitangi, establishing its impact on the construction industry.

Tendering Administration Processes for Construction Projects (15 Credits)
Learners will learn to effectively administer processes that are essential to the success of a construction project. Students will understand the effects of specific Acts and their resultant regulations on design and construction practices and principles in the construction industry. Also, students will learn about what is involved in the pre-contract phase of construction. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose of specific legislation relevant to the construction industry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the requirements of the Health & Safety Act in the construction environment.
  • Explain the purpose of the range of tender documents in relation to the laws and regulations.
  • Discuss the tender process.
  • Evaluate tenders for category 2 buildings.

Contract Administration for Valuing Building Works (15 Credits)
Learners will learn about construction project administration of the principles, practice and documentation of post-tender administration. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and apply the communication and administrative processes for the construction phase.
  • Prepare progress claims and provide costs for work executed, prepare and present costs of variations, prepare and present cost fluctuations, prepare and present time extension claims.
  • Evaluate progress claims.
  • Adjust included sums in accordance with contract documentation.
  • Collect and present post-contract ancillary documentation.

Materials in Construction Projects (15 Credits)
Larners will learn about the impacts that the external and internal environment and the Building Code have on selecting and applying building materials and finishes. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Analyse and discuss the environmental factors that may affect building and design.
  • Identify the concepts of buildability and sustainability with reference to the choices of materials and finishes for different environments.
  • Research the characteristics and physical properties of materials and finishes used in buildings.
  • Evaluate the performance and compatibility of materials and finishes used in buildings.

Services for Construction Projects (15 Credits)
Learners will learn about the operating principles and coordination of services used and applied in small and medium buildings, taking into account the environment and the legal and regulatory frameworks. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify environmental impacts on building services.
  • Evaluate design and construction impacts that may apply by the installation of services.
  • Explain principles of coordination, placement, and reticulation of services for buildings.
  • Research and apply legislative requirements relevant to services in a building to three levels.

Structures for Residential Construction Projects (15 Credits)
Learners will learn about the relationship between the choice of site and structure of a small building, considering site limitations, small building design, the envelope, and interior. Students will learn how a building is constructed in accordance with NZS 3604 and the Building Code to specific and non-specific design. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify, analyse and describe the limitations of a small building site in terms of the relevant legislative requirements and building implications for a new build.
  • Determine and describe the type of structure that can be built on a given site in terms of its foundation’s structure, bracing, and internal and external finishes.
  • Identify the requirements of the Building Code as they relate to non-specific building design.
  • Create simple technical sketches for construction from a given brief.

Feasibility and Analytical Reports for Construction Projects (15 Credits)
Learners will learn how the site on which a building is developed places constraints and the resulting limitations. You'll use your knowledge to establish the condition of an existing building and present information from the research, feasibility, and environmental study on the design and construction of that building. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify constraints and describe the limitations of an existing building site in terms of relevant legislative requirements and building implications for the repair or alteration of the structure.
  • Create a simple technical sketch of the given site to include all structures and impediments that exist.
  • Research the causes of the condition of the building, taking into account climate and environmental factors including atmosphere, weather, human, insect, and animal.
  • Provide a report to describe the condition of an existing building, identifying the work required to repair or alter the building with consideration to the requirements of the Building Code.

Commercial Construction 1 (15 Credits)
Learners will understand what a commercial building is, how it is constructed, how structural products are used in these, why specific design is necessary, the construction process, and related legislation. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of structural principles to include specific design.
  • Identify and describe the impacts that a specific design structure may have on a building taking into account loadings.
  • Identify and describe fire protection systems in a commercial building and how this impacts design and end-use.

Commercial Construction 2 (15 Credits)
Learners will learn about the end-use of buildings in line with the building code and territorial authority requirements. Understand services placement and use in a commercial structure. Also, learn about the materials and services that can be used to enhance the management of a commercial structure and the design and end-user management functions of a medium building to category 3. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and describe Building Code and Resource Management Act requirements for management of end-user facilities in a commercial structure.
  • Discuss design requirements in terms of regulations and standards related to health, safety, and disability in a commercial structure.
  • Identify the services that are used in a commercial structure and their impacts on the design of the building.
  • Identify and describe the materials used for linings, joinery, fitments, and finishes to the interior and exterior of a commercial building.
  • Identify the key features of BIM (Building Information Modelling) in the construction industry.

Concept Design (15 Credits)
Learners will learn how to work through the process of preparing concept documentation for a building of non-specific design using multimedia to cover LBP licence Design 1 requirements. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify client requirements for a residential building project.
  • Identify physical site requirements and constraints for a building project
  • Describe regulatory requirements for a building project based on the Resource Management Act and the territorial Authority’s district Plan.
  • Develop a concept design in accordance with industry standards
  • Prepare architectural details of non-specific design for working drawings in a residential building project.

Preliminary Design (15 Credits)
Learners will learn how to work through the process of preparing preliminary documents for a building of non-specific design, using CAD software, preparing approval documentation to present to a client to cover LBP licence Design 1. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Develop a concept into a preliminary architectural design for a residential building.
  • Present a preliminary architectural design and budget to a client in accordance with industry standards.

Developed Design (15 Credits)
Learners will learn to developed design in CAD and present a preliminary architectural design to cover LBP Licence design 2. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Develop a given preliminary design for a medium building to the developed design phase.
  • Prepare selected developed design drawings for a medium building in accordance with industry standards.
  • Prepare selected specification clauses for a medium building in accordance with industry standards.

Detailed Design 1 (30 Credits)
Learners will learn to work through the process of preparing drawings for a building with a mixture of specific and non-specific designs to cover LBP licence Design 2. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Prepare consent documentation for residential buildings for the provision of building consent.
  • Prepare selected specification clauses for a residential building.

Detailed Design 2 (15 Credits)
Learners will work through the process of preparing drawings for a building with up to three level, using CAD software. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Integrate and coordinate information from specialist consultants and manufacturers into drawings.
  • Establish and show the requirements of the building code for a building of this type of construction.
  • Prepare selected detailed design documentation for a medium building in accordance with industry standards. 

Design Principles (15 Credits)
Learners will learn to describe and evaluate design principles for architectural projects; analyse and illustrate the historical development of design principles; explain the differences in design across cultures and environments; and describe the interaction of people with a built environment. After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe and evaluate design principles for architectural projects.
  • Analyse and illustrate the historical development of design principles.
  • Explain the differences in design across cultures and environments.
  • Describe the interaction of people with a built environment.

 Student & Staff Profiles

 Domestic Entry Requirements

A minimum of 50 NCEA Credits at Level 2, including 12 Credits in Mathematics and a minimum of 12 Literacy Credits at NCEA Level 1
OR
Be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning application should be made to accredited providers and the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation.

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

 

For more information about NCEA Credits see the UCOL Te Pūkenga NCEA explained page.

 International Entry Requirements

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international learner applicants.

English language proficiency
International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

 Advice & Guidance

Learners need to be aware of the physical requirements for operating in a workshop or construction site. Learners will be advised to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the Programme Leader before the programme begins. To optimise chances of success, 100 per cent attendance is strongly recommended.

Work experience
This programme has optional project work included as part of the course.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Te Pūkenga Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

  • National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
  • Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
  • Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
  • Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

 Additional Costs

Please note that there are additional costs of approximately $150 associated with the New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology:
  • Faber Castell graphite sketch pencils (6B - 2H) - packet of six
  • Pilot Hi Tech V7RT Retractable Rollerball Pen
  • Pilot Hi Tech V7RT Retractable Rollerball Pen Fine Black
  • Staedler Academy scale ruler 961 80 2AS 300mm
  • Staedtler Mechanical Pencil 0.9mm
  • Pencil leads 0.9mm HB
  • A3 sketch pad
  • Lecture pad A4, 7mm, ruled, 200 leaf
  • Compass set
  • Protractor
  • USB memory stick 4GB
  • Eraser max large vinyl (1)
  • French curves
  • Triangles 200mm (45/45, 30/60)
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Lecture pad A4 7mm ruled 200 leaf

 Accreditation

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning Limited, a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga is accredited to teach it.

Top