New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering)

About the programme

Shape the world. Become a Civil Engineering Technician.

Civil Engineers work on the design, construction management, and maintenance of civil works such as roads, dams, earthquake engineering, water, and sewerage systems. Civil engineering graduates are responsible for the project management of these jobs and often work internationally as New Zealand graduates have a good reputation worldwide.

There is presently a significant shortage of trained civil engineer technicians, particularly in roading. This shortage is expected to become more acute in the short term so your skills and experience will be highly sought after.

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.  

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 Land Surveying, Civil and Structural Drawing, Hydraulics and Geotechnical Engineering. 

Graduates of this qualification may find career opportunities with local authorities, construction companies, mining companies, or civil engineering consultancies. Employers often seek new staff directly from our programme. 

Alternatively, 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 [email protected] to see if this pathway would be right for you.

Entry

Skills needed to work in this area

• A passion for civil engineering and working outdoors
• Spending time on large construction sites
• Good problem-solving ability
• People skills
• Good communication skills
• The ability to plan, organise and adapt.

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 50 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 [email protected] or call 0800 762 786.