A practical look at the land and sea floor.
Surveyors work in a range of land, property and construction related areas. Using modern technology such as GPS and laser instruments surveyors precisely measure land, building, and features in the environment for mapping, development and spatial analysis.
Because of this close association with land and property the roles of the surveyor extends to land development engineering and urban design, resource management and land planning, property boundary surveying, and the determination of land ownership and rights.
The use of computer mapping technology in the form of Geographical Information Systems also leads to work in the capture, display and management of spatial information. Surveyors typically work in a variety of settings – indoor and outdoor - and with a variety of other professions.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Surveying / Surveying Measurement as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Surveying (MSurv)
A one- or two-year postgraduate programme that culminates in a thesis incorporating a substantial research project
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
SURV papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SURV120 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying and Spatial Science | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV130 | 2026, 2027 | People, Place and the Built Environment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV201 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV202 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Mathematics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV203 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV204 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV205 | 2026, 2027 | Statutory Land Planning 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV206 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV220 | 2026, 2027 | Geographic Information Science | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV298 | 2026, 2027 | Introductory Field Camp | 0 points | 1st Non standard period (2 February 2026 - 20 February 2026), 1st Non standard period (8 February 2027 - 26 February 2027) |
| SURV301 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 2 | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 17 February 2028) |
| SURV302 | 2026, 2027 | Geodetic Reference Systems and Network Analysis | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV303 | 2026, 2027 | Urban Design 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV304 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 3 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV306 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV307 | 2026, 2027 | Cadastral Surveying 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV309 | 2026, 2027 | Remote Sensing for Earth Observation | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV314 | 2026, 2027 | 3D Reality Capture | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV319 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Algorithms and Programming | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV320 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Analysis and Visualisation | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV322 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Surveying | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV329 | 2026, 2027 | Selected Topics in Surveying 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV399 | 2026, 2027 | Third Year Field Course | 0 points | 1st Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 27 November 2026), 1st Non standard period (8 November 2027 - 3 December 2027) |
| SURV413 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Mapping and Image Processing | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV418 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Geographic Information Science | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV450 | 2026, 2027 | Professional Practice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV451 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 3 | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV452 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Surveying 2 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV453 | 2026, 2027 | Urban Design 2 | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV455 | 2026, 2027 | Statutory Planning B | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV456 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV457 | 2026, 2027 | Cadastral Surveying 3 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV458 | 2026, 2027 | Marine Law and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV459 | 2026, 2027 | Engineering Surveying | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV462 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Field Design and Voyage | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV463 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Practical Techniques in Hydrography | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV465 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Management | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV469 | 2026, 2027 | Selected Topics in Surveying 2 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV470 | 2026, 2027 | Professional Project | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV473 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 36 points | Full Year |
| SURV474 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 36 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (19 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
| SURV499 | 2026, 2027 | Vacation Employment | 0 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV509 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Remote Sensing for Earth Observation | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV513 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Mapping and Image Processing | 20 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV514 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced 3D Reality Capture | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV518 | 2026, 2027 | GIScience for Postgraduates | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV519 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Algorithms and Programming | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV520 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Spatial Analysis and Visualisation | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV551 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Surveying Methods | 20 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV552 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Hydrographic Surveying | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV553 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Urban Design | 20 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV555 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Statutory Planning | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV556 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Land Tenure | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV557 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Cadastral Surveying | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV558 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Marine Law and the Environment | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV559 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Engineering Surveying | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV562 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Field Design and Voyage | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV563 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Practical Techniques in Hydrography | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV565 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Land Development Management | 20 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV569 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Surveying | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV573 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 40 points | Full Year |
| SURV574 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV580 | 2026, 2027 | Research project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
| SURV590 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
Contacts
School of Surveying
Email surveying@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/surveying
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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