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
About the programme
Get a career as an Electrical Engineering Technician.
Electrical engineers undertake a wide variety of work ranging from the design and programming of PLCs in industrial applications to the design and commissioning of complex building services or electrical distribution installations. Study electrical engineering and look forward to future career roles such as project management, maintenance management, and contract management as well as general hands-on electrical engineering problem-solving. There is presently a significant shortage of trained engineers and qualified technicians are in high demand for their skills and experience.
Use this qualification to gain the necessary expertise and supply the demand; New Zealand-trained engineering graduates have a good reputation worldwide for their work readiness and high calibre and with this Dublin accord-accredited qualification, international employment opportunities are available. Gain a sound knowledge, understanding, and practical appreciation of electrical engineering processes and theory, and develop your ability to apply learning in a practical and innovative way.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We offer this programme part-time, studied over four years (but this can also be flexible). Our July intake is only available part-time.
International
July
About the programme
Get a career as an Electrical Engineering Technician.
Electrical engineers undertake a wide variety of work ranging from the design and programming of PLCs in industrial applications to the design and commissioning of complex building services or electrical distribution installations. Study electrical engineering and look forward to future career roles such as project management, maintenance management, and contract management as well as general hands-on electrical engineering problem-solving. There is presently a significant shortage of trained engineers and qualified technicians are in high demand for their skills and experience.
Use this qualification to gain the necessary expertise and supply the demand; New Zealand-trained engineering graduates have a good reputation worldwide for their work readiness and high calibre and with this Dublin accord-accredited qualification, international employment opportunities are available. Gain a sound knowledge, understanding, and practical appreciation of electrical engineering processes and theory, and develop your ability to apply learning in a practical and innovative way.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We offer this programme part-time, studied over four years (but this can also be flexible). Our July intake is only available part-time.
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
- 48 NCEA credits at Level 2 in four subjects including at least 12 in mathematics* OR equivalent qualifications/skills/experience.
- 8 NCEA literacy credits at Level 1 or higher, including 4 credits in reading and 4 in writing.
- International students will be individually assessed to ensure they meet diploma-level entry requirements.
*Please note: Statistics and probability credits are not categorised under "Mathematics credits" within the NCEA framework and therefore cannot count towards 12 required Mathematics credits.
- 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 our great New Zealand Diploma in Engineering preparation programme. Successful completion will give you a Certificate in Foundation Studies (Level 3) and direct 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
Study for free in 2022!
Domestic students can study this programme for free during 2022 due to the Government's Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF).
- You'll still need to pay for any additional course-related costs such as textbooks or protective footwear (see more info in Additional Costs section).
- You can pay for this yourself or apply for a loan/allowance via Studylink.
TTAF will only cover your study during 2022. You may be eligible for some additional tuition fees cover under the Government's Fees Free scheme. See the Paying for your study section below for more info.
Additional costs
Hand tools and test equipment are included in the programme fee but these tools will remain the property of Otago Polytechnic.
Please click here for a full programme equipment list.
Paying for your study
TTAF
The Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is currently running but will end in December 2022. That means only your 2022 study will be covered. You may be able to get some financial help for your remaining study through the Fees Free scheme if you’re eligible (see info below).
Whilst this programme is free for you to study during 2022, the TTAF fund only covers tuition fees and compulsory costs such as student levies. It does not cover any additional costs or living costs.
Full-time learners
You can pay for additional living costs by yourself if that is possible or by applying for a loan or allowance through Studylink (which is only available for domestic learners).
It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.
For information about student loans and allowances please visit Studylink.
Part-time learners
You can pay for additional living costs yourself if this is possible.
As a part-time learner, you're generally not eligible for student loans and allowances through Studylink but some help may be possible depending on your circumstances (for domestic students). Check the Studylink website for more information.
Fees Free
The Government is also running a funding scheme called Fees Free for domestic learners. This scheme normally pays for your first year of study if you’ve never been enrolled in tertiary study over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher in New Zealand. They have confirmed that TTAF does not impact a learner’s entitlement to also access the Fees Free scheme.
So, you’ll be covered by TTAF for your 2022 study and, if you would have originally been eligible for Fees Free, you’ll be able to access that to cover some of your remaining studies.
You can check your Fees Free eligibility here >
Fees Free only covers your tuition fees. You would still need to pay for things like accommodation, living costs and placement transport costs. And the same full-time learner/part-time learner information would apply to Studylink financial support as was mentioned above.
If you have any questions about student loans and allowances, please email our Studylink Advisor: Amanda.McAra@op.ac.nz
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.
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.
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).
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. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative ONLY. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
