New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)
This qualification is designed for people who are wanting to begin a career in the automotive industry. You will gain the generic and industry-specific skills you need to work in a range of roles in automotive engineering. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a work-ready, highly competent individual, all set to start your apprenticeship.
Domestic
About the programme
Learn how to service general automotive systems.
This qualification is designed for people who are beginning a career in the industry. You will gain the generic and industry-specific skills you need to work in a range of roles in the automotive industry. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a work-ready, highly competent individual who will be able to hit the ground running from day one.
Alternatively, you can choose to engage in one of our managed apprenticeship programmes at Level 4 (New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering, New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering, or New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive).
16-24 years old?
If you are aged 16-24 and feel that school didn’t work out for you, you may be able to study this programme via our Youth Guarantee Scheme and pay no fees. This also applies if you are going to be 15 years old when this programme starts and you have an early exemption from school. See more info in the Fees section below.
International
About the programme
Learn how to service general automotive systems.
This qualification is designed for people who are beginning a career in the industry. You will gain the generic and industry-specific skills you need to work in a range of roles in the automotive industry. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a work-ready, highly competent individual who will be able to hit the ground running from day one.
Alternatively, you can choose to engage in one of our managed apprenticeship programmes at Level 4 (New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering, New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering, or New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive).
What You Study
Courses
Learn how to carry out basic automotive engine servicing, service a four-stroke spark-ignition engine, carry out basic automotive underbody service procedures and repair light vehicle hydraulic braking systems. Gain the fundamental electrical knowledge and servicing skills required for working with ignition systems, automotive electrical circuits, electronic fuel injection systems, and automotive wiring and lighting systems and discover the engineering and welding skills required for working in the automotive industry.
| Course Title | Level | OP Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Workshop Safety | 3 | 10 |
| Basic Workshop Engineering Tasks, Tools and Equipment | 3 | 15 |
| Engines | 3 | 15 |
| Engine Systems | 3 | 10 |
| Driveline Systems | 3 | 10 |
| Electrical and Electronic | 3 | 15 |
| Starting and Charging Systems | 3 | 10 |
| Electronic Controls, High Voltage Systems and HVAC | 3 | 10 |
| Brake Systems | 3 | 10 |
| Steering and Suspension Systems | 3 | 15 |
| 120 |
Programme specific risks
In the Otago Polytechnic automotive engineering workshop and during your work experience, there is the risk of injury through lifting, welding, welding flashes, the use of tools, motor vehicles, fixed and portable motors, heavy equipment, and any other equipment relevant to the automotive industry. There is also the hazard posed by fumes from welding and chemicals which you may be allergic to and the possibility of Occupational Overuse Syndrome through computer use.
Workload
Your workload
You will be expected to complete up to 30 hours of contact time at Otago Polytechnic and up to 15 hours of additional self-directed study per week; an additional 100 hours of work experience will be required for completing as part of the programme. Usual timetable hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, with either a Thursday or Friday on work experience.
Entry
Skills needed to work in this area
- The ability to work with tools and equipment
- Sound communication and people skills
- Alertness and adaptability
- Good hand-eye coordination
- Good memory
- Flexibility to change.
Entry requirements
- 10 NCEA Level 1 literacy credits (reading and writing) and 10 NCEA Level 1 numeracy credits OR be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills.
- Domestic applicants aged 20 and above who do not meet the academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate their skills, education and/or work experience, may be eligible for special admission.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Youth Guarantee Scheme information (domestic students aged 16-24)
If you are aged 16-24 and feel that school didn’t work out for you, you may be able to study this programme via our Youth Guarantee Scheme and pay no fees. This also applies if you are going to be 15 years old at the time that this programme starts and you have an early exemption letter from school.
To be eligible for Youth Guarantee funding, you must:
- Be a domestic student aged 16-24
- OR be 15 years of age at the time when you commence the programme AND have an early leaving exemption letter from your school
- Don’t already have (or are not about to have) a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in any subject
- Have been thinking about leaving school and getting a job OR prefer to be working towards a career rather than staying at school OR have left school and are not sure how to enter higher education or employment
- Want to learn practical skills
- Be more motivated in a non-school setting and be prepared to enrol in a full-time or part-time programme.
Fees and allowances
The Youth Guarantee Scheme will cover tuition fees, material and equipment costs of your programme of study. Learners aged 18-24 who are enrolled in fees-free Youth Guarantee qualifications will now be able to access the course-related costs part of the student loan and student allowances if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Those under 18 years old will not be able to access any part of the student loans. Funding for travel is available, conditions apply. Please visit the Studylink website for full details. We strongly recommend that you read this carefully prior to applying for this programme.
The process
- There is not a separate Youth Guarantee application form. Please apply for this programme by using our standard Otago Polytechnic application form. To apply online, or to download a paper version, click the blue 'Apply' button at the top right-hand corner of this page.
- If you meet the criteria for Youth Guarantee funding you will be offered the funding if it is available. We will ask you to let us know within two weeks if you do not wish to take up the funding.
- If there is no Youth Guarantee funding available, we will send you a letter advising you of this. Along with this letter, you will receive an invoice, terms and conditions, a Studylink brochure and an equipment list advising what you will need to purchase before starting your programme.
Additional costs
You need to buy all of your textbooks, stationery, tools, safety equipment, and clothing before the programme starts. However, please do not buy anything until you have been offered a place on the programme and have accepted that place. You will only need your writing materials on the first day so please only bring these along.
Stationery (essential)
- 1 x A4 lever arch file with five tab dividers/or notebook (1B5)
- Pens/pencils/eraser etc.
Smart device (essential):
- Laptop or tablet which is wifi capable, able to take photos and use Windows 365 applications
Safety equipment and clothing (essential):
- Approved safety footwear (i.e. steel caps)
- One pair of overalls (long sleeved, 100% cotton, zip, TWZ overall - black)
- Two pairs of work trousers (black, work cotton)
- Two work shirts (high vis)
- Welding gloves - gauntlet (red or blue)
- Fitted safety glasses - clear (Scope Phat Boxa)
- Leather rigger gloves
All clothing and equipment can be purchased at:
Road Materials
4-6 Forth Street
Dunedin
Otago Polytechnic will provide embroidered patches for your overalls that will be sewn on by Road Materials. Overalls will then be sent through to Otago Polytechnic to be available for you on your first day.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
