New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical Engineering)
This is a practical programme using real-life scenarios as part of your learning. You will graduate ready to undertake a wide variety of work ranging from designing and programming PLCs in industrial applications to designing and commissioning complex building services or electrical distribution installations. Employers often headhunt directly from this programme.
Domestic
July (part-time only)
About the programme
Get a career as an Electrical Engineering Technician.
Electrical engineers design, develop, manage and maintain circuitry and equipment for power generation and distribution, building services, machine control and robotics.
There is presently a significant shortage of trained engineers and qualified technicians are in high demand for their skills and experience.
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. Plus, New Zealand-trained engineering graduates have a great reputation around the world for their work readiness and high calibre.
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 Power Engineering, Electronic Principles, Instrumentation and Controls, and Sustainable Energy.
Graduates can look forward to careers including an Electrical Designer, PLC Programmer, Fault Finder, Contract Manager, Project Manager, Maintenance Manager or Energy Auditor. Or, 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
Get a career as an Electrical Engineering Technician.
Electrical engineers design, develop, manage and maintain circuitry and equipment for power generation and distribution, building services, machine control and robotics.
There is presently a significant shortage of trained engineers and qualified technicians are in high demand for their skills and experience.
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. Plus, New Zealand-trained engineering graduates have a great reputation around the world for their work readiness and high calibre.
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 Power Engineering, Electronic Principles, Instrumentation and Controls, and Sustainable Energy.
Graduates can look forward to careers including an Electrical Designer, PLC Programmer, Fault Finder, Contract Manager, Project Manager, Maintenance Manager or Energy Auditor. Or, you could move into our Bachelor of Engineering Technology to deepen your learning and widen your career options.
Studying part-time
*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
The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering has been designed to provide skilled and competent engineering technicians who:
- Apply engineering theory to practice and competently perform technical operations to the standards, ethical and professional responsibilities required by the engineering profession
- Have a knowledge sufficient to permit informed, rational decision making in a specialist field of engineering and to implement these decisions
- Will work collaboratively with construction workers, clients, authorities, agencies, industry, and other professionals to provide a comprehensive engineering service in the relevant specialist area
- Have an understanding of all cultures and, in particular, an awareness and clear understanding of the tangata whenua and the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi and the Resource Management Act.
As these courses have high practical content, relevant work experience would be an advantage. You will also learn through theoretical study, project work, and laboratory sessions.
Please note: An Electrical Service Person course is also available from 2016 and is recommended for diploma students. This is administrated by the EWRB. Please visit www.ewrb.govt.nz for more information.
| Course Code | Course Title | Level | Credit | Pre-requisite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | Compulsory Courses | |||
| DE4101 | Engineering Fundamentals | 4 | 15 | |
| DE4102 | Engineering Mathematics 1 - FULL YEAR | 4 | 15 | |
| DE4103 | Technical Literacy | 4 | 15 | |
| DE4401 | Electrical Principles | 4 | 15 | |
| DE4402 | Electrical and Electronic Applications | 4 | 15 | DE4401 |
| DE5401 | Power Engineering | 5 | 15 | DE4401 |
| DE5403 | Electronic Principles | 5 | 15 | |
| DE5423 | Computer-aided Electrical Drawing | 5 | 15 | |
| Year One Total | 120 | |||
| Year Two | Compulsory Courses | |||
| DE5402 | PLC Programming 1 | 5 | 15 | |
| DE5404 | Electrical Machines | 5 | 15 | DE4401 & DE5403 |
| DE6101 | Engineering Management | 6 | 15 | |
| DE6102 | Engineering Project (Electrical) | 6 | 15 | |
| Electives (Choose two) | ||||
| Automation and Control Option | ||||
| DE5417 | Instrumentation and Controls 1 | 5 | 15 | DE4101 & DE5403 |
| DE5418 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | 5 | 15 | DE4102 |
| DE6411 | PLC Programming 2 | 6 | 15 | DE5402 |
| DE6409 | Electrical Building Services | 6 | 15 | |
| DE6419 | Maintenance Engineering Management (Required) | 6 | 15 | |
| Power Option | ||||
| DE5418 | Engineering Mathematics 2 | 5 | 15 | DE4102 |
| DE6401 | Power Systems 1 (Required) | 6 | 15 | DE4401 |
| DE6411 | PLC Programming 2 | 6 | 15 | DE5402 |
| DE6420 | Protection | 6 | 15 | DE4401 |
| DE6409 | Electrical Building Services | 6 | 15 | |
| DE6421 | Sustainable Energy and Power Electronics | 6 | 15 | DE4401, DE5403 |
| Year Two Total | 120 | |||
| Total Credits | 240 |
Note: In addition, CISCO Networking 1 and 2 courses are available. These courses are useful if you are likely to be engaged in employment where networking of computers would be undertaken. Additional fees would apply.
An Electrical Service Person course is also available and is recommended for Diploma students. This is administrated by the EWRB. Please visit www.ewrb.govt.nz for more information.
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 degree programmes at either Canterbury or Auckland Universities. Completion of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering can reduce the length of these engineering degrees by a year, or with appropriate experience, two years on application. NZDE forms part of the pathway to becoming registered as an Electrical Engineer with EWRB (www.ewrb.govt.nz).
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 which consists of formal lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, and your own study time.
Entry
Skills needed for working in this area
- Analytical and problem-solving
- Good computer ability
- The ability to plan, organise and adapt
- To enjoy working with groups or on your own.
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 30 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
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.
Additional costs
A scientific calculator and writing materials are compulsory purchases for this programme, and a laptop is also recommended. Please click here for more details.
Hand tools and test equipment are included in the programme fee but these tools will remain the property of Otago Polytechnic.
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.
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.
