New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering)
This is a practical programme using real-life scenarios as part of your learning. Graduates of this qualification may find career opportunities with local authorities, construction companies, mining companies or civil engineering consultancies. Employers often headhunt directly from this programme.
Domestic
July (part-time only)
About the programme
Shape the world. Become a Civil Engineering Technician.
Civil Engineers work on the design, construction management, and maintenance of civil works such as roads, dams, earthquake engineering, water, and sewerage systems. Civil engineering graduates are responsible for the project management of these jobs and often work internationally as New Zealand graduates have a good reputation worldwide.
There is presently a significant shortage of trained civil engineer technicians, particularly in roading. This shortage is expected to become more acute in the short term so your skills and experience will be highly sought after.
Accredited by Engineering New Zealand, this practical programme meets the standards required for the Dublin and Sydney International Engineering accords - meaning it's highly respected and recognised nationally and internationally.
Studying in our first-rate facilities and learning from experienced lecturers using real-life scenarios, you'll gain a great understanding of engineering processes and theory. Initial courses include Engineering Fundamentals and Engineering Mathematics and then you'll branch out into specialty courses such as Land Surveying, Civil and Structural Drawing, Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Graduates of this qualification may find career opportunities with local authorities, construction companies, mining companies, or civil engineering consultancies. Employers often seek new staff directly from our programme.
Alternatively, you could move into our Bachelor of Engineering Technology to deepen your learning and widen your career options.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. You can study this programme part-time over four years (this can be flexible) and can start in February or July. It may also be possible to start the full-time programme in July if you have previous engineering experience, have done prior engineering study or with approval from the Head of School. Please email EngTech@op.ac.nz to see if this pathway would be right for you.
International
July*
About the programme
Shape the world. Become a Civil Engineering Technician.
Civil Engineers work on the design, construction management, and maintenance of civil works such as roads, dams, earthquake engineering, water, and sewerage systems. Civil engineering graduates are responsible for the project management of these jobs and often work internationally as New Zealand graduates have a good reputation worldwide.
There is presently a significant shortage of trained civil engineer technicians, particularly in roading. This shortage is expected to become more acute in the short term so your skills and experience will be highly sought after.
Accredited by Engineering New Zealand, this practical programme meets the standards required for the Dublin and Sydney international Engineering accords - meaning it's highly respected and recognised nationally, and internationally.
Studying in our first-rate facilities and learning from experienced lecturers using real-life scenarios, you'll gain a great understanding of engineering processes and theory. Initial courses include Engineering Fundamentals and Engineering Mathematics and then you'll branch out into specialty courses such as Land Surveying, Civil and Structural Drawing, Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Graduates of this qualification may find career opportunities with local authorities, construction companies, mining companies, or civil engineering consultancies. Employers often seek new staff directly from our programme.
Alternatively, you could move into our Bachelor of Engineering Technology to deepen your learning and widen your career options.
July intake
*Studying full-time from July may be possible if you have previous engineering experience, have done prior engineering study or with approval from the Head of School. Please email EngTech@op.ac.nz to see if this pathway would be right for you.
What You Study
Courses
| Course Title | Level | Credits |
| Year One (Compulsory) | ||
| DE4101 Engineering Fundamentals | 4 | 15 |
| DE4102 Engineering Mathematics 1 | 4 | 15 |
| DE4103 Technical Literacy | 4 | 15 |
| DE4201 Materials (Civil) | 4 | 15 |
| DE4202 Land Surveying 1 | 4 | 15 |
| DE5201 Structures 1 | 5 | 15 |
| DE5202 Civil and Structural Drawing | 5 | 15 |
| DE5207 Geotechnical Engineering 1 | 5 | 15 |
| Year Two (Compulsory) | ||
| DE5203 Hydraulics (Civil) | 5 | 15 |
| DE5204 Highway Engineering 1 | 5 | 15 |
| DE6101 Engineering Management | 6 | 15 |
| DE6102 Engineering Project (Civil) | 6 | 15 |
| Electives (Select four - only one can be Level 5) | ||
| DE5205 Engineering Surveying | 5 | 15 |
| MG6046 Structures 2 (Bachelor) | 6 | 15 |
| DE6201 Geotechnical Engineering 2 | 6 | 15 |
| DE6202 Highway Engineering 2 | 6 | 15 |
| DE6203 Traffic Engineering | 6 | 15 |
| DE6205 Water and Waste Systems | 6 | 15 |
| DE6206 Water and Waste Management | 6 | 15 |
| Programme Total | 240 |
Please note: Alternatives to those listed above may be available following consultation with the Programme Manager. Subjects offered subject to minimum class numbers.
Skills you'll gain
All courses within this qualification contribute towards the skills, knowledge, and attributes of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering qualification and the Engineering Technician as recognised by the International Engineering Dublin Accord.
At the completion of this Diploma, all graduates will be able to:
| Differentiating characteristic | Dublin Accord - New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Graduate |
| Engineering knowledge | Apply knowledge of mathematics, natural science, engineering fundamentals, within a specialist discipline to wide practical procedures and practices |
| Problem analysis | Identify and analyse well-defined problems reaching substantiated conclusions using codified methods of analysis specific to the specialist field |
| Design development of solutions | Design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with design of systems, components or processes to meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural and societal and environmental considerations |
| Investigation | Conduct investigations of well-defined problems, locate and search relevant codes and catalogues, conduct standard tests and measurements |
| Modern tool usage | Apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools to well-defined engineering problems with an awareness of the limitations |
| Engineer and society | Demonstrate knowledge of the societal, health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to engineering technician practice and solutions to well-defined engineering problems |
| Environment and sustainability | Understand and evaluate the sustainability and impact of engineering technician work in the solution of well-defined engineering problems in societal and environmental contexts |
| Ethics | Understand and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of technical practice |
| Individual and teamwork | Function effectively as an individual, and as a team member in diverse technical teams |
| Communication | Communicate effectively on well-defined engineering activities with the engineering community and society at large, by being able to comprehend the work of others, document their own work, and give and receive clear instructions |
| Project management and finance | Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management principles, apply these to ones’ own work, as a member or leader in a technical team and manage projects in a multidisciplinary environment |
| Lifelong learning | Recognise the need for, and have the ability to engage in independent updating in the context of specialised technical knowledge |
Further study options
Upon successful completion of this qualification, there are opportunities for you to move into the Bachelor of Engineering Technology at Otago Polytechnic or engineering degree programmes at either Canterbury or Auckland Universities. Completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Civil Engineering can reduce the length of these degrees by a year and a half, or with appropriate experience, two years on application.
Workload
Your workload
Your workload will be significant as assessment is continuous throughout the year with assignments issued regularly and end-of-semester exams. If you are studying full-time, you will be expected to undertake approximately 40 hours per week of civil engineering study which consists of formal lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, and your own study time.
Entry
Skills needed to work in this area
- A passion for civil engineering and working outdoors
- Spending time on large construction sites
- Good problem-solving ability
- People skills
- Good communication skills
- The ability to plan, organise and adapt.
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 2 including a minimum 10 literacy credits at Level 1 or above (for those who achieved NCEA Level 2 before 2013) and
- Minimum 48 NCEA Level 2 credits in four subjects including at least 12 credits in Maths (preferably algebra, calculus or trigonometry) or equivalent.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (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 a list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Don't meet the entry criteria? Don't worry!
If you don't meet any of the entry requirements for this qualification or have been out of learning for a while, enrol in the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) with a focus on Engineering and get entry into this diploma.
If you don't meet the maths entry requirement for this qualification but meet all of the other criteria, enrol in our great Engineering Maths Summer School and upskill so you can apply.
Selection process
Applicants are accepted using the entry criteria on a first-come, first-in basis with places limited to no more than 50 per year. Should the number of applicants exceed the available places, applicants will be placed on a waiting list in order of the date they applied. All applicants will be interviewed.
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
Please click here for a course equipment list.
Multi-year 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.
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* for domestic learners
If this is your first time doing tertiary study, or your first tertiary study was covered by the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship (TTAF) initiative, you may be able to get up to $12,000 of your fees covered for one year’s study or two years’ training.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access Fees Free 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.
* Please note: The Government has advised that they intend to change the Fees Free policy from 2025. The details of the change are yet to be confirmed. We'll update this information as soon as we can with any new details. The Fees Free policy for 2024 is unchanged.
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.
