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Engineering Courses in New Zealand

Study at an engineering school in New Zealand

Within the wide boundaries of the engineering profession, there are thousands of challenging activities in areas such as research, development, design, manufacture and operation of products and services. Choosing the right engineering course and university in New Zealand can be difficult, and it is crucial to understand which university is best for you when considering your academic background, future career goals, and where you wish to specialise.

Engineering courses in New Zealand involve designing, testing, and building machines and structures using mathematics and science. It is popular worldwide as it offers an excellent opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects and solve complex problems that impact society. The course is available in many specialisations, such as civil, mechanical, electronics, aerospace, chemical engineering, etc. The engineering degree programs range from certificate to PhD specialisations.

Studying engineering courses in New Zealand is an excellent option for someone passionate, creative, attentive, and analytical. If you are one of them, opting for engineering in New Zealand can be a perfect career choice.

Contact SI-New Zealand about your application

Types Engineering Degrees

Engineering is a broad field that serves as an umbrella for various disciplines, each focusing on different aspects of technology, design, and problem-solving. Studying in New Zealand offers diverse specialisations for students who want to pursue engineering careers.

Diploma in Engineering (Level-6)

A diploma certificate in engineering is a technical degree and is a class below an undergraduate degree. The degree is designed to meet the needs of the New Zealand engineering sector. The course curriculum primarily focuses on developing and implementing engineering technology and aims to provide you with sound thinking, scientific skills, computing and analysis, and problem-solving skills.

Course duration – one year
Course fees- $15,000
Entry requirements – High School Diploma with at least 60% marks in English proficiency test.

Bachelor’s in Engineering (Level -7)

Also known as B.E/B. Tech is a professional undergraduate degree and one of the most sought-after courses worldwide. The curriculum combines theoretical coursework, practical applications, and lab experiments. Some common subjects in a bachelor of engineering are physics, mathematics, chemistry, and data structures. An integrated degree, which combines a bachelor’s and master’s degree, can take up to five years.

Course duration- four years
Course fees – $55,000
Entry requirements – High school with at least 60% marks and English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (Level-8)

The Bachelor of Engineering with Hons is a professional degree accredited by Engineering New Zealand. It allows graduates to work as qualified engineers worldwide. Students can access modern engineering labs and computer testing facilities. Completing the program satisfies the requirements of the Washington Accord and qualifies graduates to become members of Engineering in New Zealand.

Course duration – four years
Course fees-$43,000
Entry requirements – Excellent academic record with IELTS (academic) 6.0 overall with 5.5 higher or equivalent bands.

Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering (Level-8)

A PG Diploma in engineering allows students to build on their previous skills and understand the principles, concepts, and ideas that focus on the chosen specialisation, providing a pathway to study in a master’s program. The course is available in many domains, like food, transportation, and civil engineering.

Course duration- one year
Course fees – $40,000
Entry requirements – GPE 3.0 with an IELTS score of 6.5 or above

Master’s in Engineering (Level 9)

Also known as M.E or M.Tech, it is an advanced-level postgraduate engineering course focusing on an advanced theoretical and practical understanding to excel in engineering. With a master’s, students can develop more specialised knowledge, qualify for advanced roles, and earn high salary. Master by thesis consists of a research project in the form of a dissertation and substantial research work.

Course duration- two years
Course fees –$44,000
Entry requirements – bachelor’s degree with relevant work experience and a TOEFL score of 90

PhD in Engineering (Level 10)

A PhD in Engineering or a Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral research degree with the highest academic qualification. The curriculum involves in-depth research, understanding research issues, and solving critical problems with exceptional observational and analytical skills.

Duration- 2 to 4 years
Course fees – $9,000
Entry requirements – master’s degree with work experience and English proficiency test. TOEFL- 90/IELTS- 6.5

Different Engineering Fields

Electrical Engineering

It is the most demanding engineering course in New Zealand. The degree program combines the skills and knowledge of mathematics and physics to design, create, and install electrical equipment. Electrical engineers in New Zealand work in telecommunications, renewable companies, and sometimes for the Federal government. The program also includes other degrees, such as computer engineering and robotics engineering.

Career opportunities- design engineer, control engineer, electrical engineer, etc.
Average annual salary – $1,10,000

Mechanical Engineering

In the mechanical degree program, one will learn how to design and build machines—generators, turbines, coolers, etc. The field is vast and includes innovative technology implementations, which offers immense career opportunities in the future. The course has sub-specializations, like aerospace, mechatronics, biomechanical, and automobile engineering.

Career opportunities – automotive engineer, CAD technician, mechanical engineer, etc.
Average annual salary – $1,60,000

Civil Engineering

It is a professional engineering discipline that involves planning, designing, constructing, maintaining, and supervising the essential infrastructure and facilities in our daily lives, such as highways, bridges, airports, and hospitals. The program includes specialisations like transportation engineering and water resources engineering.

Career opportunities – civil engineers, hydrographic engineers, architectural engineers, etc.
Average annual salary –$1,00,000

Computer Engineering/Software Engineering

The engineering degree teaches students how to manage, create, and build computer systems, including hardware and software components. The course perfectly combines computer and electrical engineering to provide cutting-edge solutions for various industries and applications.

Career opportunities- software developers, database engineers, computer analysts, etc.
Average annual salary – $2,00,000

Geotechnical Engineering

It is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the engineering mechanisms of the earth’s materials, such as soil, water, and rock. It uses the principles of soil and rock mechanisms to solve engineering problems. The curriculum involves topics such as rock mechanics and soil-structure interactions.

Career opportunities – Bridge engineer, construction engineer, etc.
Average salary – $74,000

Engineering Course Specializations

Other popular engineering courses/disciplines offered in New Zealand include:

Food engineering
Environmental engineering
Sustainable resource recovery
Maritime engineering
Chemical and process engineering
Forest engineering
Natural resources engineering
Aeronautical Engineering

Scholarships

New Zealand offers its international students various scholarship opportunities and quality education. Some of the top scholarships offered for engineering courses in New Zealand include:

Scholarship name	Offered by	Scholarship awarded
HJ Hopkins Postgraduate Scholarship in Civil Engineering	University of Canterbury	$5000
International Student Excellence Scholarship	University of Auckland	Upto $10,000
NZ SFPE Fire Engineering Scholarship	University of Canterbury	$5000
Latin American Academic Achievement Scholarship	Victoria University of Wellington	$5000
HECS International Exchange Scholarship	University of Waikato	$2500
UC Engineering Top Achievers Scholarship (School Leaver Scholarship)	University of Canterbury	$5000
University of Otago Coursework Master’s Scholarship	University of Otago	$10,000

Jobs and Careers

After completing an engineering degree in New Zealand, students often look for job opportunities to make a living and settle down due to its quality lifestyle and excellent employment rate (69.5%). So, if you are looking for what careers and jobs to get into after engineering, here are some trending and future-oriented engineering careers in New Zealand.

Job Profile	Average Salary
Civil Engineer	$1,00,000
Mechanical Engineer	$1,60,000
Industrial Engineer	$1,05,750
Environmental Engineer	$1,29,375
Marine Engineer	$1,40,000
Chemical Engineer	$60,908
Software Developer	$1,27,248

Top Universities for Engineering in New Zealand

To learn more about the best engineering courses in New Zealand, find details on the top ranking Engineering & Technology universities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 below:

Rank	University	Acceptance rate
1	The University of Auckland	45%
2	University of Canterbury	50%
3	Victoria University of Wellington	64%

Other leading engineering schools in New Zealand include:

Study Engineering in New Zealand

If you want to learn more about studying for an engineering degree at a New Zealand university, arrange a free consultation with SI-New Zealand today.

Contact SI-New Zealand about your application

FAQ

Which university is best for engineering in New Zealand?

The University of Auckland is currently the best engineering school in New Zealand, ranked 129th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

How much does engineering cost in New Zealand?

The average fees in New Zealand depend on the degree type, university and duration of the course. However, the generic engineering tuition fee cost is approximately $44,000 annually.