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

Duration
2 Years Full-time
4 Years Part-time
Level
6
Credits
240
Fees
$10,419
*Approximate first year tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July (part-time only)

International

Duration
2 Years Full-time
Level
6
Credits
240
Fees
$25,100
*Approximate first year tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February
July*

What You Study

What you will learn

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

Entry requirements

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.

Academic 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. 
International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide:

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 EngTech@op.ac.nz or info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.

Fees

Domestic fees

First year
Standard
$10,419
Second year
Standard
$10,419

International fees

First year
Standard
$25,100
Second year
Standard
$25,100

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.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/new-zealand-diploma-in-engineering-electrical-engineering