New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) with a focus on Engineering

Your workload

You will be expected to study for (approximately) 40 hours per week. This will consist of lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials and your own study time. Assessment is continuous throughout the semester. Assignments are issued regularly and there are end of semester exams.

Skills needed to work in this area

• A strong interest in being either a Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Technician
• Self-motivation and commitment
• A good work ethic

Entry requirements

• Open entry
• 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.

Please note: This programme will only run if there are sufficient numbers. 

Selection process

You will be interviewed to assess your suitability for this programme. If it is in your best interests, we may recommend an alternative programme for you.

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 Free 

If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for this programme. 

All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number. 

If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.   

Check whether you can access funding here >

He Toki Fees Scholarship

If you’re an applicant who identifies as Māori and are between 16-40 years old, you can apply for the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT) He Toki fees scholarship for support to study this programme.

For more information about this scholarship:

Visit http://hetoki.co.nz
Phone 0800 438 654 
Email hetoki@op.ac.nz

Additional costs

You will need to provide your own personal stationery and a calculator. It is strongly recommended that you have access to a wifi-capable laptop to assist you with your studies.

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.

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.