Course details

Summary

Mechanical engineering provides an opportunity to change the world, using practical skills and innovative thinking to push the boundaries of what is possible.

This is the place where your ideas turn into reality. You’ll learn to produce safer, cheaper and more efficient machines and mechanical systems. Mechanical engineering skills are required for virtually everything that can be made so the opportunities are endless, and with a recognised shortage of technicians in this country the job prospects and pay rates are high.

Graduates of engineering diplomas enter careers in industries as diverse as aerospace, defense and energy, and the manufacturing of industrial and domestic products. You'll gain a broad knowledge base in technologies where skills are highly sought after by employers and in year two, you'll specialise in mechanical or metallurgy technologies.

Content Details

You'll cover topics like advanced maths, mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, fluids, engineering science and electricity, and use computer-aided engineering tools (CAD). Our well-equipped labs let you complete practical experiments, field trips give you valuable insights into local workplaces, and the small class sizes ensure you’ll get all the support you need to succeed.

You'll develop a range of skills, techniques and personal qualities that will equip you to work in mechanical engineering and its related fields as a technician. You'll gain knowledge of engineering sciences, materials and processes as well as management skills. Using specialised equipment in our teaching labs, learn computer aided design techniques, conduct materials and failure testing, and demonstrate practical applications of engineering theories.

Career Opportunities

New Zealand is crying out for more engineering technicians and the pay rates are excellent. Graduates can work in a diverse range of industries such as aviation, biotechnology, automotive, air-conditioning and refrigeration, robotics, defence and energy, and the manufacturing of industrial and domestic products.

Research and development is a logical destination for graduates, working as technical support engineers, supervising technicians, technical and production engineers, and production or production maintenance managers.

Tasks include:

• completing feasibility studies on existing systems
• researching different energy, machinery and material options
• preparing plans and drawings of machines or machine parts
• preparing cost estimates
• supervising the building and installation, or the repair and replacement of systems
• reviewing and testing new systems.

Potential Employers

• Manufacturers
• Building and Construction

Companies

• Product Research

Development Companies

• Aviation
• Boat Building

Automotive Industries

• Agriculture Sector
• Power, Thermal and Alternative

Energy Companies

• Mining Industry

Entry criteria

To gain entry into this programme, you are required to have:

• NCEA Level 2 including a minimum of 10 literacy credits at level 1 or higher (for those who achieved NCEA Level 2 before 2013)
• A minimum total of 48 credits at level 2 in four subjects including at least 12 credits in mathematics (preferably achievement standards in algebra, calculus or trigonometry)
• or equivalent qualifications (e.g. International Baccalaureate or Cambridge)
• or equivalent credits from appropriate trades training and/or demonstrated skills and experience

English Language requirements:

IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5; TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) score of 60 or higher (with a writing score of 20); TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) score of 550 (with an essay score of 5.0 TWE); FCE, FCE for schools, CAE with a score of 169, no less than 162 in each skill; NZCEL of Level 4 with the Academic endorsement; PToE (Academic) score of 50.