New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory and Practice (Trade) (Level 4)

Your workload 

You will be expected to attend a weekly, three-hour hour night class during term time. There will also be an additional two-week block courses per year during your apprenticeship.

Additional self-directed study hours (of up to nine hours per week) may be required to complete this qualification.

Entry requirements 

Those under 20

• NCEA Level 2 in Maths, English, and Physics or General Science, or New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering Theory (Level 3), or equivalent.
• Special entry: In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under the age of 20 who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.

Those 20 and over

• No academic entry requirements.  

Alternative requirements

Skills for tertiary study (including literacy and numeracy) may be acquired through study, work and/or life experience. Students who can demonstrate these skills may be approved for alternative entry. Literacy and numeracy assessments are available.  

Additional requirements 

To successfully complete this programme, you must be employed in the electrical industry at the time of study. You must enter a three-way training agreement between yourself, your employer and Otago Polytechnic. 

English Language requirements

• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 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.

Please note: This programme is not available to international students.

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.

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.

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.