Surveying education in NZ is only provided at a professional level at by the National School of Surveying,  University of Otago. This is the only university in NZ offering the professional courses in surveying.

The undegraduate and post graduate degree qualifications in surveying are:

• Bachelor of  Surveying  BSurv  4 year degree
• Bachelor of Applied Science BAppSci (GIS) (Geographic Information Systems)  4 year degree
• Bachelor of Science BSc (LPD) (Land Planning and Development)   3 year degree 
• Bachelor of Science BSc (SM) (Survey Measurement)  3 year degree - students can specialise in hydrographic surveying,  engineering surveying or photogrammetry.  
• Postgraduate Diploma of Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Science (MSc),
• Master of Surveying (MSurv)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A Bachelor of Surveying degree has been the predominant surveying qualification in New Zealand for over 30 years and has a strong reputation in Australasia and worldwide.

It is a four year programme of theoretical and practical studies covering surveying measurement, land planning and development, resource management and land law, with options to specialise in other areas.

With appropriate work experience this qualification can lead to Membership of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors.

The BSurv is the only degree level course in surveying in NZ that is recognised by the Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board (CSLB).

A graduate can choose to specialise in cadastral surveying and be admitted as a Member of NZIS in the Cadastral Discipline. They can then gain recognition from the CSLB and become a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor which enables the licence holder to carry out and certify cadastral (land boundary) surveys in NZ.

  

Graduates can specialise in areas of surveying other than the traditional cadastral surveying and become NZIS Members by demonstrating skills and experience in 3 of the 10 different Disciplines.

Membership is available to graduates of the BSc(LPD), BSc(SM) in disciplines of Land Planning and Development,  Photogrammetry or Hydrographic Surveying.

Refer to the Surveying Roadmap below to see the progression from survey student to a professional surveyor.

For more information please visit University of Otago National School of Surveying.