New Zealand Diploma in Engineering - Civil
Course details
| NZQF Level | 6 |
|---|
About the course
Kickstart your career as a civil engineering technician with the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil), a nationally and internationally accredited qualification recognised under the Dublin Accord.
What you will learn
This practical programme equips you with core skills in geotechnical, transportation, water, and structural engineering, preparing you to tackle real-world engineering challenges across New Zealand and beyond. A key feature is the Engineering Project, where you apply your knowledge to a genuine engineering problem, gaining valuable experience that prepares you for industry demands.
Graduates develop a strong foundation for entering the New Zealand workforce or pursuing further study. Through hands-on learning in advanced laboratories, prototyping facilities, and CAD suites, you will build technical expertise, project and risk management capabilities, and effective teamwork skills. Combined with applied mathematics, physics, and engineering principles, this knowledge ensures graduates are well prepared to meet both national and international industry standards.
Develop a comprehensive range of skills essential for a successful career in Civil Engineering.
Core Engineering Capabilities
Build the fundamental technical and professional competencies required across the global engineering industry:
- Engineering mathematics and fundamentals
- Computer-aided design (CAD)
- Professional report writing and presentation skills
- Engineering project management
Specialised civil engineering strand
Gain practical expertise in key infrastructure, construction, and land development disciplines:
- Highway engineering, water supply and wastewater systems
- Geotechnical engineering, structural analysis and design
- Land surveying, civil and structural drafting, and hydraulics
- Civil engineering construction practices
This combination of core engineering capabilities and specialised civil engineering knowledge equips graduates with the skills needed to contribute effectively to the planning, design, construction, and management of modern infrastructure projects.
More detail about this qualification
Graduates will have a work-ready qualification internationally accredited under the Dublin Accord, opening a direct pathway to becoming a Chartered Member (Engineering Technician) of Engineering New Zealand.
Engineering tutors
Our Engineering tutors bring a wide range of industry experience and knowledge.
Find out more about our Engineering tutors
Career options
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Assistant Site Engineer
- Structural or Geotechnical Technician
- Surveying Assistant
- Project Assistant Coordinator
- Infrastructure Design Technician
- Civil Engineering Technical Officer
- Road Engineering Technician
Graduates of the diploma can seamlessly transition into the Bachelor of Engineering Technology, transferring their earned credits to complete the degree with just 1.5 years of additional study. Whether entering the workforce or continuing your studies, you'll graduate with the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to help shape New Zealand's infrastructure and pursue opportunities around the world.
Entry requirements
Domestic
Under 20
NCEA Level 2* and a minimum 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.
*including a minimum of 10 literacy credits at level 1 or higher (for those who achieved NCEA Level 2 before 2013)
20+ years
If you’re 20 years or over, you may qualify for special admission on this programme. Contact us if you don’t meet the Under 20 entry criteria.
Special entry
Special entry may be granted by the Head of School responsible for the programme to an applicant who does not meet all entry requirements, where the Head of School is satisfied the applicant is capable of undertaking the programme of study.
International
Minimum IELTS (academic) score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5 or equivalent.
Find your country's equivalent academic entry requirements here.
*For fee exclusions, please see our terms and conditions. International ākonga study grants are available. Contact: [email protected] for eligibility details.
About the provider
Whitireia and WelTec have a history of over 100 years of
vocational education delivery. We are proud stewards of our whakapapa, owning
our collective histories and aspirations for the future through acknowledging
people, place, culture, and values.
Whitireia and WelTec is known for our high student success rates and culturally diverse ākonga. Every year we train over 8,000 ākonga who study at one of our campuses across Porirua and Petone. Our highly skilled staff will be with you every step of your journey, providing the best possible learning environment. We enable learners from every stage of life – school leavers, university graduates, those preparing to reenter the workforce and those wanting to retrain or upskill. Our learning environments are open and ready to welcome you all.
More and more New Zealanders are choosing a local study pathway through dedicated vocational education providers to gain the qualifications they need to get ahead and into their dream job. We offer a range of programmes of study at certificates, diplomas, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications. Our programmes have been developed in conjunction with industry to offer excellent vocational qualifications that are future-focused and provide ākonga with practical skills to pursue their career goals.
We are known for our Ahureitanga (distinctiveness), and we have special relationships with Iwi mana whenua as our campuses are in their rohe: Te Āti Awa and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. Together, we are more than the sum of our parts.
Mā tātou, mō tātou ko WelTec ki Te Āti Awa, ko Whitireia ki Ngāti Toa Rangatira. E haere kōtui nei me kura-takahi-puni tātou. Together, we will lead and illuminate our communities through vocational education.