New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools. This hands-on qualification is designed for people already working in industry, or for people who would like to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering the workforce.
Domestic
About the programme
Are you a practical kind of person who enjoys making things work? Or perhaps you are seeking an engineering apprenticeship?
This is the programme for you, and is the perfect qualification for those wishing to enter the engineering trades.
Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools, and roles may include a Building Installation, CNC Machine Operator, Fitter/Turner, Fitter/Welder, Machine Operator, Maintenance Engineer, Metalworker/Fabricator, Mining, Specialist Production Welder or a Toolmaker. The industry has experienced significant growth over recent years due to developments in engineering processes.
There are numerous employment opportunities in areas such as toolmaking, fitting and machining, and trades associated with the heavy and light fabrication industries. With a responsible attitude, you may even step up into project management.
This hands-on, pre-apprenticeship programme will give you ample opportunity to work within our workshops and to gain valuable off-site work experience.
Upon completion, you will have achieved the academic requirements of the first year of an industry apprenticeship. This may reduce the time for you to complete out in industry down to two years.
A rotary table in our workshop.
Photo courtesy of Mechanical Engineering student, Sophie Fox.
International
About the programme
Are you a practical kind of person who enjoys making things work?
Then this is the programme for you and is ideal for those wishing to enter the engineering trades.
Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools, and roles may include a CNC Machine Operator, Machine Operator, Specialist Production Welder, Metal Worker/Fabricator, Ducting Fabricator, Pipe Fitter/Welder, Metal Polisher or a Pattern Maker Trade Assistant. The industry has experienced significant growth over recent years due to developments in engineering processes.
Due to this, there are numerous employment opportunities in areas such as toolmaking, fitting and machining, and trades associated with the heavy and light fabrication industries. With a responsible attitude, you may even step up into project management.
This hands-on programme will give you ample opportunity to work within our workshops and to gain valuable off-site work experience.
A rotary table in our workshop.
Photo courtesy of Mechanical Engineering student, Sophie Fox.
What You Study
Courses
This programme is made up of nine compulsory modules (listed below). These are made up of a mixture of practical and theoretical components. The nine modules incorporate assessment against 27 registered NQF unit standards.
- Health and Safety
- Calculations
- Drawing
- Machining
- Fabrication
- Welding
- Workshop skills
- Process quality
- Communication
Off-site practical work experience is also incorporated within the programme and will comply with Otago Polytechnic health and safety requirements and requirements for contracts with employers.
A screw jack made by Mechanical Engineering student Sophie Fox during her coursework.
Programme specific risks
You will be working with the latest industry-relevant technology, machines, pressing equipment, and chemical dyes and may also spend time working in the industry. All safety requirements will be explained in detail at the beginning of the programme. Safety shoes and safety glasses are required to be worn in all workshops at all times.
Further study options
This qualification can lead to, but is not a prerequisite for, the following qualifications (an apprenticeship within industry at Level 4 Mechanical Engineering):
- New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Trade) (Level 4) with strands in Fitting and Machining, General Engineering, Machining, Maintenance Engineering, Metal Forming, and Toolmaking
- New Zealand Certificate in Engineering Fabrication (Trade) (Level 4) with strands in Heavy Fabrication, Light Fabrication, and Steel Construction
Domestic students
Expand your employment potential by completing an apprenticeship and then advancing your skills with our New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering).
International students
Whilst you cannot enter an apprenticeship within New Zealand, you do have the option of progressing into our New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) to enhance your knowledge and skills.
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 120 hours of work experience will be required for completing as part of the programme. Usual timetable hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am-4.30pm, which will include some self-directed hours.
Entry
Skills needed for working in this area
- Practical thinking
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Good computer skills
- Planning and organisational ability
- Excellent communication skills.
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 1 with 10 credits in Numeracy (algebra, trigonometry, measurement recommended) and 10 credits in Literacy, OR
- Equivalent knowledge and skills, OR
- Successful completion of engineering literacy and numeracy assessment.
- In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under 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.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement.
English Language requirements
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall IELTS 5.0 (general or academic, no 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 internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
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
Additional costs
All of the following safety equipment and clothing items are compulsory.
Can be purchased from Road Materials (4-6 Forth Street, Dunedin)
- 2 pairs, 100% Navy/Yellow cotton zip overalls
- 1 pair of safety boots (AS/NZS 2210.3) (lace-up or slip-on)
- TIG gloves (Pro Tigga)
- General work gloves (Cut 5 Flexidyn)
- Fitted safety glasses - clear (Scope Phat Boxa)
Can be purchased from BOC (4 Orari Street, South Dunedin)
- Welding gloves - gauntlet (red or blue)
- Welding snips
- Welding helmet (product code WG1H04)
Can be purchased from NZ Safety Blackwoods (2 Orari Street, South Dunedin)
- Earmuffs (Grade 5) (Howard Leight LON Earmuff)
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
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to access 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.
If you started studying before 2025, you may be able to continue to use your remaining first-year entitlement in 2025.
Visit our Fees and Funding page to learn more about the Fees Free programme Fees and Funding
Application
Need more info?
If you want to chat to someone before applying for this programme, please contact:
Rowena Gregg (Administrator): Rowena.Gregg@op.ac.nz | 03 4704354
John Stocks (Programme Leader): John.Stocks@op.ac.nz | 03 4703959
Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
These Computer-Aided Design drawings of an air engine were produced by Mechanical Engineering student, Sophie Fox. CAD skills let you work with a design in three dimensions before you begin fabrication.
