Yearbooks

Programme: BSc Construction Management

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty
12132025 Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Credits Duration
Minimum duration of study: 3 years Total credits: 424
Contact:
Dr AHG van Heerden
[email protected]
+27 (0)124204150

Programme information

Construction management is the field of study meant for the person who wishes to become part of the process of infrastructure development, especially the construction of buildings. The construction manager is a professional business person who acts as manager for undertakings in the building, construction and property industry as well as related support services.

Career opportunities cover a wide spectrum and construction managers find employment as main and subcontractors in the building and construction industry, as project managers or investment experts with financial institutions and property developers, as property experts who offer broker services and compile packages, as managers of building and property portfolios for investors, as suppliers of material and equipment to the building and construction industry, as consultants for financial services in the construction and related sectors, or as private entrepreneurs working in these fields.

The examinations of the BScHons degree in Construction Management are recognised by the minister as prescribed examinations in terms of the stipulations as described in the Project and Construction Management Professions Act (Act No 48/2000), as well as by the Chartered Institute of Building.

The degree is awarded if all the prescribed modules have been passed.

Admission requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required Grade 12 certificate with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; and a candidate who is a graduate of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.

  • Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.

  • Grade 11 results are used in the conditional admission of prospective students.

  • A valid qualification with admission to degree studies is required.

  • Minimum subject and achievement requirements, as set out below, are required. 

  • BSc (Construction Management) is a selection programme.

  • Tuition will be presented in English only.

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

Physical Science or Accounting

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

5

C

5

C

4

D

30

* Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.

Promotion to next study year

Promotion to the second semester of the first year and to the second year of study

  1. A newly registered first-year student who failed all the prescribed modules for the programme at the end of the first semester shall not be readmitted to the School for the Built Environment in the second semester.
  2. A student who complies with all the requirements of the first year of study, or has at least obtained 110 credits, is promoted to the second year of study.
  3. A student who has not obtained at least 70% of the credits of the first year of study after the November examinations must reapply for admission should he/she intend to continue with his/her studies. Written application must be submitted to the student administration of the School for the Built Environment no later than 12 January. Late applications will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances after approval by the Dean and conditions of readmission as determined by the admissions committee shall apply should first-year students be readmitted.
  4. Students who have not passed all the prescribed modules of the first year of study, as well as students who are readmitted in terms of (c) must register for the outstanding modules of the first year.
  5. A student who is repeating his/her first year, may, on recommendation of the relevant head of department and with the approval of the Dean, be permitted to enrol for modules of the second year of study in addition to the first-year modules which he or she failed, providing that he or she complies with the prerequisites for the second-year modules and that no timetable clashes occur. The number of credits per semester for which a student registers may not exceed the prescribed number of credits per semester by more than 16 credits.

Promotion to the third year of study

  1. A student who complies with all the requirements of the second year of study, or has at least obtained 230 credits, is promoted to the third year of study.
  2. The Dean may, on the recommendation of the relevant head of department, allow a student, who qualifies for promotion to a subsequent year of study, but who has not passed all the modules of that year, to carry over those modules to the next or a later year.
  3. The number of credits per semester for which a student registers may not exceed the prescribed number of credits per semester by more than 16 credits.
  4. A student who complies with all the requirements for the degree with the exception of one year module or two semester modules, in which a final mark of at least 40% has been obtained, may be admitted to a special examination in the module(s) concerned, at the start of the ensuing semester.
  5. On the recommendation of the relevant head of department, the Dean may in exceptional circumstances deviate from the abovementioned stipulations, provided that no timetable clashes occur.

Pass with distinction

The degree is conferred with distinction on a student:

  1. if no module of the second and third study year was repeated and a weighted average of at least 75% was obtained in one year in all the modules (excluding JCP 201), of the final study year;
  2. the degree programme was completed within the prescribed three study years, and the final study year modules were passed on first registration without any supplementary or special examinations.

Minimum credits: 141

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • Module content:

    The structure of the building industry and the role of building disciplines and related parties.

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  • Module content:

    Students are introduced to design aspects in the built environment by doing basic technical drawings of simple building structures with appropriate detail sketches. Assignments during the semester expose the students to building plan interpretation through the following topics: foundations; super-structure; roof structure; window and door types; plan and sectional drawings and local authority submission criteria.

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  • Module content:

    Broadens the vocabulary of the technical language from BOU 111. Students are introduced to other aspects of the building industry that include the following topics: topography; symbols; ergonomic design principles; orientation of buildings; perspective drawings; waterproofing and dampcourse applications.

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  • Module content:

    Principles, methods and materials used in best practice in the construction of simple single-storey buildings up to wall plate height.

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  • Module content:

    Principles, methods and materials used in best practice in the construction of simple single-storey buildings from wall plate height to completion including finishes and external work. Introduction to alternative practices and materials for sustainability.

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  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics. A distinction between macroeconomics and microeconomics is made. A discussion of the market system and circular flow of goods, services and money is followed by a section dealing with microeconomic principles, including demand and supply analysis, consumer behaviour and utility maximisation, production and the costs thereof, and the different market models and firm behaviour. Labour market institutions and issues, wage determination, as well as income inequality and poverty are also addressed. A section of money, banking, interest rates and monetary policy concludes the course.

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  • Module content:

    This module deals with the core principles of economics, especially macroeconomic measurement the private and public sectors of the South African economy receive attention, while basic macroeconomic relationships and the measurement of domestic output and national income are discussed. Aggregate demand and supply analysis stands core to this course which is also used to introduce students to the analysis of economic growth, unemployment and inflation. The microeconomics of government is addressed in a separate section, followed by a section on international economics, focusing on international trade, exchange rates and the balance of payments. The economics of developing countries and South Africa in the global economy conclude the course.

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  • Module content:

    Sanitary services; soil and waste drainage for simple, multi-storey and multi-purpose buildings; local sewage by-laws; construction of all types of sewage and sanitary fittings.

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  • Module content:

    Sanitary services; hot and cold-water supply to simple and multi-storey buildings; local by-laws; water reticulation to town development; different hot-water systems; water purification systems; water and energy saving.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to quantity surveying, mensuration; interpretation of drawings, methodology of measuring, working up processes, general instructions, measuring of simple building elements.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to the vocabulary of the built environment as developed over the history of human settlement. Concise history of the development of the built environment from early settlement to modern cities. The role and responsibilities of the built environment professional in engaging with built environment heritage in the form of cultural and natural landscapes.

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  • Module content:

    Design; basics (forces, moments, equilibrium, reactions, stress, strain); materials; loads; pin-jointed trusses; tension members.

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  • Module content:

    Beams (shear force and bending moment, bending and shear stresses, design of standard beams in steel, concrete and timber, section properties, lateral restraint); compression members; combined axial and bending; deflection.

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  • Module content:

    *Students will not be credited for more than one of the following modules for their degree: WTW 134, WTW 165, WTW 114, WTW 158. WTW 134 does not lead to admission to Mathematics at 200 level and is intended for students who require Mathematics at 100 level only. WTW 134 is offered as WTW 165 in the second semester only to students who have applied in the first semester of the current year for the approximately 65 MBChB, or the 5-6 BChD places becoming available in the second semester and who were therefore enrolled for MGW 112 in the first semester of the current year. 
    Functions, derivatives, interpretation of the derivative, rules of differentiation, applications of differentiation, integration, interpretation of the definite integral, applications of integration. Matrices, solutions of systems of equations. All topics are studied in the context of applications.

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Minimum credits: 133

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Basic principles of the employment contract. Collective labour law. Statutory conditions of employment. Individual labour disputes. Collective labour disputes. Settlement procedures.

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  • Module content:

    Erection and construction of multi-storey buildings, including site management and temporary site work, building equipment and earthwork machinery, specialised foundations, bulk excavations and advanced concrete construction, including retaining walls. Timber and steel structures as construction methods.

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  • Module content:

    Material study of metals and advanced materials. Study and development of sensitivity for and the philosophy of industrial safety, accident prevention and total loss control safety risk management in the construction industry.

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  • Module content:

    *Only for BSc (Mathematical Statistics. Construction Management, Real Estate and Quantity Surveying) and BEng (Industrial Engineering) students.
    Purpose and functioning of financial management. Basic financial management concepts.  Accounting concepts and the use of the basic accounting equation to describe the financial position of a business. Recording of financial transactions. Relationship between cash and accounting profit. Internal control and the management of cash. Debtors and short-term investments. Stock valuation models. Depreciation. Financial statements of a business. Distinguishing characteristics of the different forms of businesses. Overview of financial markets and the role of financial institutions. Risk and return characteristics of various financial instruments. Issuing ordinary shares and debt instruments.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to the principles of indoor comfort. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Installation and operation of lifts and other mechanical services. Fire detection and protection.

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  • Module content:

    Theory of electricity; regulations of electricity-supply authorities; electrical installations; distribution of electricity.

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  • Module content:

    Measuring of simple buildings and simple building elements and external works. Abstracting and billing.

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  • Module content:

    Properties of reinforced concrete; construction methods; slabs; beams; columns; foundations; retaining walls; placement of reinforcement in the various structural members; basic concepts of prestressed concrete.

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  • Module content:

    Water reticulation; sewerage reticulation; stormwater reticulation; roads.

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  • Module content:

    Descriptive statistics:
    Sampling and the collection of data; frequency distributions and graphical representations. Descriptive measures of location and dispersion.
    Probability and inference:
    Introductory probability theory and theoretical distributions. Sampling distributions. Estimation theory and hypothesis testing of sampling averages and proportions (one and two-sample cases). Identification, use, evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques.

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  • Module content:

    *Offered by the Department of Statistics
    Multivariate statistics analysis of variance; categorical data analysis; distribution-free methods; curve fitting, regression and correlation; the analysis of time series and indices. Identification, use, evaluation and interpretation of statistical computer packages and statistical techniques.
    This module is also presented as an anti-semester bilingual module.

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  • Module content:

    General surveying; instruments, their handling and adjusting; surveying systems and simple calculations; determining of levels; setting out of the works; tacheometry and plotting; scales, planimetry; areas and volumes; construction surveying; aerial photography.

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Minimum credits: 150

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Introduction to law. General principles of the law of contract. Specific contracts: purchase contracts; letting and hiring of work; employment contracts. Agency. General aspects of entrepreneurial law. Dispute resolution – mediation and arbitration.

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  • Module content:

    Concepts, principles, history, current trends in settlement, shelter and integrated living environments; role of housing in society; statutory policy and planning frameworks and paradigms; housing delivery options; housing development management; financing and property rights options; housing types and densities; housing product, norms and standards; management and maintenance of social housing stock; housing needs assessment and post-occupancy evaluation; consumer education and protection.

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  • Module content:

    Erection and construction of specialised building components and finishes. Acoustics. Material study of plastics, glues, rubber, mastics, bonding agents, fibre cement, bituminous products, sealers, epoxies and waterproofing.

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  • Module content:

    Thermal properties of insulation systems and construction materials. Critical review of current development and construction practice; alternative construction technologies; innovation in construction; technical evaluation of innovative construction materials and methods; life cycle costing and life cycle analysis; the National Building Regulations.

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  • Module content:

    Moveable and immovable property. Rights over immovable property; private legal circumscription of ownership; relevant legislation pertaining to property; real securities; the registration of rights; zoning regulations.

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  • Module content:

    *Only for BCom (Financial Sciences, Investment Management and Law) and BSc (Construction Management , Quantity Surveying and Real Estate) students.
    Framework and purpose of financial management; understanding financial statements; analysis of financial statements for decision making; time value of money; risk and return relationships; business valuation; short-term planning; current asset management.

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  • Module content:

    *Only for BCom (Financial Sciences, Investment Management, and Law) and BSs (Construction Management, Quantity Surveying and Reak Estate) students.
    Cost of capital; determination of capital requirements and the financing of a business to maintain the optimal capital structure; the investment decision and the study of financial selection criteria in the evaluation of capital investment projects; impact of inflation and risk on capital investment decisions; evaluation of leasing decisions; dividend decisions; international financial management.  Valuation principles and practices: an introduction to security analysis; hybrids and derivative instruments, mergers and acquisitions.

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  • Module content:

    Principles of illumination; illumination installations; lightning security; security systems; communication systems. Multimedia installations.

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  • Module content:

    This project-orientated module is a form of applied learning which is directed at specific community needs and is integrated into all undergraduate academic programmes offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. The main objectives with the module are as follows:
    (1) The execution of a community related project aimed at achieving a beneficial impact on a chosen section of society, preferably but not exclusively, by engagement with a section of society which is different from the student's own social background.
    (2) The development of an awareness of personal, social and cultural values, an attitude to be of service, and an understanding of social issues, for the purpose of being a responsible professional.
    (3) The development of important multidisciplinary and life skills, such as communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
    Assessment in the module will include all or most of the following components: evaluation and approval of project proposal, assessment of oral and/or written progress reports, peer assessment in the event of team projects, written reportback by those at which the project was aimed at, and final assessment on grounds of the submission of a portfolio and a written report.

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  • Module content:

    General functions and techniques of management.

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  • Module content:

    The fundamentals and basic applications of project management.

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  • Module content:

    Measuring of simple concrete structures, structural steelwork, plumbing and drainage, and alterations. Material lists, analysis of building costs, certificates, contract price adjustment provisions (CPAP) and final accounts.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to scientific research. Planning and preparation of a research project. Different research methods.

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  • Module content:

    Introduction to sustainable development and general sustainable construction principles, processes and technology. Sustainable practices on the construction site. Relevant regulations and voluntary programmes, including an introduction to ‘Green Star’ rating.

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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