Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington offers a Bachelor of Building Science in Sustainable Engineering Systems designed for students who want to understand how buildings work and how to improve them for people and the planet.
Across three years, you’ll study building construction, environmental performance, and sustainable engineering approaches—building the technical and practical foundation for roles in the built environment or further postgraduate study.
Duration: 3 years (full-time)
Credits: Typically 360 points (check final offer for your intake)
Delivery format: On-campus (check programme page for current delivery)
Qualification level: Bachelor’s degree
Language of instruction: English
Start dates: Refer to Victoria University of Wellington intake dates for your year
Tuition fees: Vary by student category and year—confirm on the programme website
English language tests: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test accepted (see minimums below)
Application: Apply via Victoria University of Wellington’s international admissions process
Programme structure (indicative):
Year 1
- Design Processes
- Built Environment Technology
- Environmental Design Sciences
Year 2
- Sustainability in the Designed Environment
- Design History and Theory
- Additional core building science and engineering courses (varies by year)
Year 3
- Advanced building science and sustainability-focused courses
- Project-based assessment and/or capstone-style work (details depend on the current curriculum)
Note: Course titles and sequencing can change between intakes. Confirm the latest curriculum and any elective options on the official programme page.
Academic requirements
Admission is based on your academic background. You must meet the entry standard for the Bachelor’s degree, which may include International Baccalaureate (IB) or equivalent qualifications.
We are not aware of any GRE or GMAT requirement for this programme.
English requirements
Duolingo English Test
The Duolingo English Test is a convenient, fast, and affordable English proficiency test trusted by top universities around the world. Take it online in just one hour—anywhere, any time. Scores are reported out of 160 in 5 point increments.
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TOEFL® IBT
TOEFL iBT® is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries. The test can be taken at a test center or at home. The test measures your English-language abilities in an academic setting. The score refers to the total score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading), each subject has a range of 0 - 30.
Schedule TOEFL®
PTE Academic
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) is a language test that enables students to demonstrate their writing, listening, speaking, and reading skills when applying to study in English. The score refers to a total score which ranges between 10 and 90.
Schedule a PTE test!
IELTS
The International English Language Test System (IELTS) tests your English-language proficiency on a scale of 1 – 9. The score refers to the combined average score of 4 subjects (writing, listening, speaking, and reading).
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Other requirements
General requirements
- Achieve the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or three GCE Advanced Level passes at C grade, or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Work Permits
After completing your degree in New Zealand, you may be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa (subject to meeting the current immigration requirements at the time you apply).
Check for any work restrictions
Typical eligibility: You must have completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand and hold a valid student visa at the time of application (or meet the relevant transition requirements).
Duration: The length of the post-study work permission depends on the level and type of your qualification and the rules in place for your intake.
Conditions: You may need to apply within the required timeframe after graduation and meet health and character requirements.
Country-specific rules: Immigration settings can change. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official New Zealand immigration website before planning your next steps.
For the most accurate guidance for your situation, review the current New Zealand post-study work visa rules and any conditions that apply to your qualification.
