0800 4 0 FEES (0800 4 0 3337)
SIT Productions
Vocational Education Reform
Six Campuses & Distance Learning
Facilities, Shops & Services
The Bungalow Restaurant
Beauty Therapy Clinic
Massage Clinic
SIT2LRN Distance Learning
Study from Overseas
SIT2LRN FAQs
SITuation Magazine
MAINZ Auckland
MAINZ Christchurch
Telford Fees
Telford Accommodation
Taster Camps
Subjects, Courses & Qualifications
Agriculture, Horticulture & Floristry
Art, Design & Photography
Automotive & Road Transport
Beauty Therapy & Makeup Artistry
Communications & PR
Electrotechnology
Film, Animation & Game Design
HR & Coaching
Nursing & Health Science
Social Services & Mental Health
Sport, Exercise & Recreation
Māori Language & Arts
Travel, Tourism & Hotel Management
Veterinary Nursing, Animal Care & Equine
Fees, Enrolments & Application Forms
Enrolling Now!
Zero Fees
Accommodation Bursary
Government Fees Free
STAR / Gateway
International Student Applications
Info for Students at SIT
Don't Break Your Bank to Study
Finances, Loans, Allowances
Student & Graduate Employment
Accessibility, Equality, Opportunities & Fairness
Sport, Recreation & Activities
Online Databases & Journals
Cultural Support & Activities
Graduations 2014
Study Abroad Partnerships
Welcome to International Students
Why Choose SIT?
Zerofees English Scholarship
John Wright Scholarships
International Student Support Services
International Student FAQs
Study English
Living, Studying & Working in New Zealand
About Invercargill City & the Southland Region
About Queenstown
Immigration, Visas & Insurance
Information for Education Agents
SIT Research Institute
SITJAR
Funding, Forms & Resources
New Zealand Massage Therapy Research Centre
Invercargill Campus
Facilities Shops Services
Bungalow Restaurant
Beauty Clinic
Queenstown Campus
Queenstown Beauty
Christchurch MAINZ
Telford Register Interest
SIT2LRN
SIT2LRN Online Open Night
Auckland MAINZ
Agriculture Horticulture Floristry
Art, Design Photography
Automotive Road Transport
Veterinary Nursing & Animal Care
SIT On Demand
Student Sports Registration
for Semester 2
ENROLLING NOW FIND A COURSE ZERO FEES scheme ENQUIRY DISTANCE LEarning
ENROLLING NOW
ZERO FEES scheme
Cat Stylised image of Scooter the black and white cat
Talk to Scooter
Stand up for SIT shirt An orange shirt with "Stand up for SIT", the same design worn in real life by supporters of the Stand up for SIT campaign STAND UP FOR SIT
Scooter arm Cat arm for Scooter chatbot, which waves periodically
small SIT logo
Send to Scooter Send icon, paper dart style
Courses > Architectural Technology
Study Architectural Technology and Quantity Surveying at SIT
If you are interested in drawing, problem solving and structure and have a strong record of achievement in design, mathematics or similar subjects, a career in Architectural Technology or Quantity Surveying could be for you!
As an Architectural Technology student you'll learn the principles of building design through drawing, computer aided design and modeling, as well as working as part of a design and construction team turning concepts into reality. Students gain skills such as establishing a design brief, presenting preliminary designs, developing building concepts and preparing working drawings. They also develop skills in areas applicable to the wider construction industry including health and safety plans, quality assurance and construction methodologies.
Quantity Surveying students graduate able to cost projects and estimate materials, communicate with clients and collaborate with engineers, architects and other members of a design and construction team. You'll also have a thorough understanding of building technology, the construction process and legal requirements.
SIT has a specialised design suite with 30 stations running AutoCAD, Inventor, ArchiCAD and a number of manual drawing stations. There are many site visits throughout the programme and the opportunity to participate in real-world projects.
Programmes in Architectural Technology
Click on a circle in the table below to see the courses offered in each subject/qualification combination.
Postgraduate Dip/Cert
Graduate Dip/Cert
STAR / Gateway*
ODiploma28Architectural Technology1Invercargill
OShort Course28Architectural Technology1Invercargill
* STAR/Gateway programmes are only offered to NZ Secondary Schools
Architectural Technology Courses
Click a title below to see more information about that course.
New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology«
Two years full-time
Learn architectual skills in how to conduct feasibility studies for small, medium and large buildings; understand project requirements in development and building concepts; evaluate performance of materials and select those to be used in the building process; prepare architectural working drawings for small and medium buildings and more.
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying) (Level 6)«
Two years, full-time
Study the NZ Diploma in Construction, Quantity Surveying and learn essential theoretical knowledge, management and programming and practical skills that are needed to become a Quantity Surveyor in the construction industry.
Beginners AutoCAD«
12 weeks - Wednesdays 6-9pm
Our Beginners AutoCAD night course covers:
creating and plotting 2 dimensional drawings using a variety of draw and modify commands.
creating new drawings using layers text, dimensions and blocks ie. creating and inserting.
use of model space and paper space for plotting.
Programmes & Tutor Profiles
〈 〉
National Diploma in Architectural Technology
As an Architectural technologist, you work closely with architects to bring conceptual designs to life. The National Diploma in Architectural Technology provides students with the skills to establish design briefs, develop building concepts and present preliminary designs. With the ongoing Christchurch rebuild there is a shortage of skilled construction personnel in New Zealand and right now, there has never been a better time to gain a qualification in the construction industry.
Architectural Technology and Quantity Surveying at SIT
As an Architectural Technology student you'll learn the principles of building design through drawing, computer aided design and modeling as well as turning concepts into reality.
Quantity Surveying students graduate able to cost projects and estimate materials, communicate with clients and collaborate with engineers, architects and other members of a design and construction team.
As an Architectural Technologist you will be able to associate with various sectors of the building industry. This could involve application of CAD skills, further construction and technological development, preparation of design briefs, conceptual design work, production of working drawings, contract administration, and all skills necessary to lead or assist in the design and construction of all types of buildings - residential, industrial and commercial.
The course content is linked to the knowledge competencies of the Design class AOP2 of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme.
A shortage of skilled construction industry personnel has created an ideal opportunity for you to gain excellent qualifications in one of the most important industries in New Zealand.
Christine Bell - National Diploma in Architectural Technology
Graduate Christine Bell enjoyed the practical side of her National Diploma in Architectural Technology course. "We went to the Court House when it was being renovated and other buildings under construction. We also made models and did a full year project where we came out with a full set of documents for a commercial building including an A3 set of plans. It was something you could take to a job interview as a portfolio."
Chris Clifford - National Diploma in Architectural Technology & Diploma in Quantity Surveying
Quantity surveying and architecture graduate Chris Clifford wanted a change from his building career and choose to study at SIT. "Cool facilities and teachers – they had broad knowledge and always had an answer. If they didn't know something they would find out… I want to travel overseas and I would like to get into design—project management ideally."
Blair Wickham - Diploma in Architectural Technology
​From self-employed residential and large scale commercial builder to architectural technology student, graduate Blair Wickham has seen many changes in his career. "My passion for design has always been there, but it wasn't until recently that I made the decision to take it further." Blair says the course went over and above his initial expectations. "The amount of knowledge or exposure was only limited to what you were willing to put in" he says.
Graduate Christine Bell has nothing but good things to say about her time at SIT and especially her tutors. "I enjoyed the social side. The tutors were good to get on with and have a laugh, it wasn't like school."
While still at school, Christine knew she wanted to be an architect so took related subjects, including graphics and computing. "I didn't realise until halfway through seventh form where I would study. It was a toss up between SIT and Dunedin. In the end I chose SIT because it was far cheaper and basically the same course."
Christine enjoyed the practical side of the course, such as going out and visiting local sites under construction with her tutors. "We went to the Court House when it was being renovated and other buildings around town when they were under construction. We also made models and did a full year project on the computer where we came out with a full set of documents for a commercial building including an A3 set of plans. It was something you could take to a job interview as a portfolio."
Christine now works at a local drafting firm. "I currently do a lot of CAD work and consent documents for houses. I'm also processing more consent documents for the Council plus doing all the plans. I knew there was still more to learn when I left SIT, but because my boss was the previous tutor, he knew where I was at with my skill level."
Christine benefitted from the smaller class sizes, with more input and one-on-one time with tutors. "There was also a good range of classmates, some at school age while others were around 40."
For Quantity Surveying and Architecture student Chris Clifford, graduation will see new opportunities emerge to develop his career in the construction industry. He originally chose SIT because of its accessibility and viability. "I began my course halfway through last year. I chose it because of the free fees and it was local so I didn't have to travel too far. I did look at going to University, but this was a two year course."
Chris chose the two courses because he wished to extend his knowledge and experience in the building sector. "I've been building for eight years and with building, your body doesn't last forever. Quantity surveying and architectural design is another avenue to go down. It opens up new doors and careers." Project management is an area that Chris is keen to pursue in the near future. "I want to travel overseas. I would like to get into design - project management ideally."
The facilities at SIT and the knowledge and expertise of the tutors have been highlights for Chris. "Cool facilities and teachers – they had broad knowledge and always had an answer. If they didn't know something they would find out."
Long term goals for Chris will see him returning to the building industry. Having already owned a business, Chris is keen to return and utilise his new skills to develop and sell buildings. "I'm hoping to get back into developing and building to sell. I'm confident with my building background, and with this study behind me I'm now a lot better with design side and rules and regulations, as well as quantities and pricing."
From self-employed residential and large scale commercial builder to architectural technology student, graduate Blair Wickham has seen many changes in his construction-based career.
A Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) Diploma in Architectural Technology student for the past two years, Blair has always held an interest in design.
"Being a builder allowed me to work on a variety of different types of buildings, from high-end multi-million dollar residential homes as well as large scale commercial jobs, through to small, architecturally-designed homes," says Blair.
"My passion for design has always been there, but it wasn't until recently that I made the decision to take it further."
Blair's decision to study at SIT was an easy one as he has a young family and taking two years out of paid-employment was going to affect them financially.
"The minimal course fees and the ability to buy a house in Invercargill and study full time was a great bonus," Blair says.
"Also the length of the course being two years rather than three also helped in getting into industry quickly and that's where the real learning starts."
Blair says the course went over and above his initial expectations and he treated it more like a two year interview as his tutors were able to link him with industry contacts.
"The content was wide ranging and in most cases quite involved, the amount of knowledge or exposure was only limited to what you were willing to put in and also question tutors on," he says.
Unsurprisingly, Blair found the design side of the course the most enjoyable as he was exposed to a wide range of skills including two new CAD programmes and was able to complete a set of plans for each project and programme.
"A field trip to Queenstown to study a variety of architectural forms was fascinating, as I was able to see what level of buildings Kiwis have designed and what the industry is capable of achieving here in New Zealand."
Blair says the course will play a formative role in his new journey and development as an emerging designer.
"With the experience gained and the exposure to industry we have had through the course I'm excited to get into the real world and be involved in an exciting emerging design practice," he says.
"The possibility of branching out on my own in the future is of obvious interest to me also."
Freepost SIT2LRN,
133 Tay Street,
Freephone in NZ:
0800 4 0 FEES
08004 0 3337
Email: info@sit.ac.nz
Fees & Enrolments
For more information, call
SIT's Zero Fees Scheme allows New Zealand citizens, New Zealand permanent residents and Australian citizens residing in New Zealand the opportunity to study approved programmes without paying tuition fees. The Zero Fees Scheme, where available, applies only to the base tuition fee attached to each programme of study. Direct Material Costs apply. Direct material costs are costs that relate directly to students, for example, to cover your uniform, texts, tools, activities and NZQA charges.