Engineering First Year
(Previously known as Intermediate Year)

The Engineering First Year will provide you with a solid foundation in engineering processes, mathematics, physics, and computer science.
At UC, we offer a flexible Engineering First Year where you can keep a variety of discipline options open for your next three years of study. There are opportunities to further explore the engineering disciplines throughout your First Year including information evenings, lab tours, and more.
Engineering First Year students are supported by our student-led, Faculty-enabled, peer mentoring programme – ENGMe! You will be assigned a peer mentoring group, led by a current 2nd - 4th Year Engineering student who has successfully ‘been there and done that’, and is the perfect place to learn tips and tricks, ask questions, seek advice, and meet new people.
Entry to the First Year
Studying the Engineering First Year is possible for all students who meet the entry requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, there are alternative pathways.
The University of Canterbury does not use NCEA rank scores.
Engineering First Year Courses
The required courses for a standard Engineering First Year depend on the engineering discipline(s) you wish to study in the Specialist (2nd – 4th) Years. The final semester of the standard Engineering First Year requires full time study (4 courses = 60 points).
The Engineering First Year Required Courses Chart outlines which courses are required for each of the engineering disciplines. You can also use the Engineering course planner to help you find which courses you need to take, depending on your school results.
If you are required to complete Summer School courses as part of your Engineering First Year, please check available courses.
If you are unsure which elective course(s) to take as part of your Engineering First Year, have a look at our list of Recommended Elective Courses below.
Recommended electives by discipline
Course | Semester | Description |
CHCH101 | S1 | Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation |
CULT114 / MAOR108 | S2 | Aotearoa - Introduction to New Zealand Treaty Society |
ECON104 | S1 & S2 | Introduction to Microeconomics |
ECON105 | S1 & S2 | Introduction to Macroeconomics |
EDUC101 | S2 | Spark! How & What People Learn |
ENGL117 / WRIT101 | S1 & S2 | Writing for Academic Success |
MAOR165 | S1 & S2 | Tuakiri: Culture and Identity |
MGMT100 | S1 & S2 | Fundamentals of Management |
MKTG100 | S1 & S2 | Principles of Marketing |
SCIM101 | S2 | Science, Māori and Indigenous Knowledge |
SENS101 | S1 | Introduction to the Principles of Concepts of Sustainability |
STAT101 | S1 & S2 | Statistics 1 |
TREO110 | S1 & S2 | Te Ngao Tu: Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners |
Course | Semester | Description |
CHEM112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity |
ENVR101 | S1 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
FORE102 | S1 & S2 | Forests and Societies |
FORE105 | S1 & S2 | Forests of the World |
FORE111 | S1 | Trees, Forest and the Environment |
FORE131 | S2 | Trees in the Landscape |
FORE141 | S2 | Forest Growth and Measurements |
FORE151 | S1 | Commercial Aspects of Forestry |
GEOG106 | S2 | Global Environmental Change |
GEOG109 | Not offered in 2022 | Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere |
GEOG110 | S1 | People, Places and Environments |
GEOL111 | S1 | Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology |
GEOL113 | S2 | Geohazards |
GEOL115 | S2 | The Dynamic Earth System |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD131 | S2 | Introduction to Formulation Science |
SPCO126 | S1 | Land Journeys and Ethics |
Course | Semester | Description |
CHEM112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry and Biochemistry |
ENVR101 | S1 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
FORE102 | S1 & S2 | Forests and Societies |
FORE105 | S1 & S2 | Forests of the World |
FORE111 | S1 | Trees, Forest and the Environment |
FORE131 | S2 | Trees in the Landscape |
FORE141 | S2 | Forest Growth and Measurements |
FORE151 | S1 | Commercial Aspects of Forestry |
GEOG106 | S2 | Global Environmental Change |
GEOG109 | Not offered in 2022 | Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere |
GEOG110 | S1 | People, Places and Environments |
GEOL111 | S1 | Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology |
GEOL113 | S2 | Geohazards |
GEOL115 | S2 | The Dynamic Earth System |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
Course | Semester | Description |
BIOL116 | S2 | Human Biology |
COSC122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science |
DIGI101 / COSC101 | S1 | Working in a Digital World |
DIGI102 | Not offered in 2022 | Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD111 | S2 | Materials Science for Design |
PROD121 | S2 | The Game Development Process |
Course | Semester | Description |
COSC122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science - Compulsory for Software Engineering |
DIGI101 / COSC101 | S1 | Working in a Digital World |
DIGI102 | Not offered in 2022 | Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society |
INFO123 | S1 & S2 | Business Information Systems and Technology |
INFO125 | S1 | Introduction to Programming with Databases |
MATH120 | S2 | Discrete Mathematics - Compulsory for Software Engineering |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD121 | S2 | The Game Development Process |
Course | Semester | Description |
COSC101 | S1 | Working in a Digital World |
COSC122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science |
MATH120 | S2 | Discrete Mathematics |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
STAT101 | S1 & S2 | Statistics 1 |
Check with the Science Kaitoko (First Year student advisors) for this major and appropriate courses.
Course | Semester | Description | BProdDesign major / technical elective |
BIOL111 | S1 | Cellular Biology and Biochemistry | Chemical Formulation Design major |
BIOL112 | S2 | Ecology, Evolution and Conservation | Chemical Formulation Design major |
CHEM112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity | Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective |
COSC122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science | Applied Immersive Game Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective |
MGMT100 | S1 & S2 | Fundamentals of Management | All BProdDesign majors |
MKTG100 | S1 & S2 | Principles of Marketing | All BProdDesign majors |
PHYS102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) | Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective |
PROD111 | S2 | Materials Science for Design | Industrial Product Design major |
PROD121 | S2 | The Game Development Process | Applied Immersive Game Design major |
PROD131 | S2 | Introduction to Formulation Science | Chemical Formulation Design major |
Download our enrolment guide
Alternative Engineering First Year Options
If you have taken STAR MATH199: Advancing in Mathematical Sciences, or equivalent course(s) at another tertiary institution and you achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at a NZ high school, you may be considered for Direct Entry to the 2nd Year of the BE(Hons), or a modified Engineering first year with acceleration in mathmatics
If you have not taken STAR MATH199 and achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at a NZ high school, you may be eligible to apply for a Modified Engineering First Year.
To be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year, you should be expecting to achieve at the following level:
STAR MATH199 - Advancing in Mathematical Sciences at University of Canterbury (or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution);
AND EITHER:
A. NCEA: You must have achieved at least 20 credits, with an 'excellence' endorsement in both Physics and Chemistry; OR
B. International Baccalaureate: Scores of 7 HL in each of Physics and Chemistry; OR
C. Cambridge International Examination: An A grade in A Level in both Physics and Chemistry.
Consideration for direct entry will be on a case-by-case basis.
Expression of Interest 2024
If you think you may be eligible for studying a Modified First Year or Direct Entry to Second Year, submit an expression of interest form (see below) to the Faculty of Engineering Student Advisors. When your results become available in January, the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering First Year) will consider the best study path for you and inform you of your options.
Direct entry to Second Year or Modified First Year - Expression of interest 2024
You may be required to complete your Engineering First Year over two years of study if you do not have the required background knowledge or if you fail some courses in your first attempt.
If you do not have the entrance requirements for BE(Hons) in Maths, Physics, and/or Chemistry, you may be required to take one or more introductory courses to build up your knowledge before attempting the following courses:
Introductory courses are all offered in the first semester of the year so it is possible to complete your Engineering First Year in one year of study. However, you may have to complete your Engineering First Year over summer school or over two years because:
- The introductory course MATH101 must be taken IN ADDITION to the eight required Engineering First Year courses for your chosen discipline(s).
- Summer school options vary from year to year. Find out more about what is offered during the Summer Programme.
- If you need to take all three introductory courses, you are advised to spread your learning over two years of study. You will need to take some additional courses to make your coursework full-time. Contact the Future Student Advisors for advice.
Science Headstart courses can be taken during the summer before Semester One starts.
It is possible to take an equivalent Engineering First Year year at another NZ university for some engineering disciplines. Your application for entry to the 2nd Year at UC Engineering is considered in the same way as students who have completed their Engineering First Year. Contact a Student Advisor if you have questions.
BEngTech
If you have completed a Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from a NZ tertiary institution, you can apply for entry to the BE(Hons) in Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate. You will be considered for 2nd Year if you:
- have a B+ average, or better, in your BEngTech
- pass EMTH119 and ENGR102 (Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or PHYS102 (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) with a B average, or better, during the summer prior to beginning the 2nd Year
If you are granted entry to the 2nd Year, you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience. Note, this is at the discretion of the relevant department and is considered on a case-by-case basis only after admission to the programme.
NZDE
If you have completed a New Zealand Diploma in Engineering in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering from a NZ tertiary institution with a B+ average across all courses and an A- or better in a Level 5 Mathematics paper, you will be considered for a Modified Engineering First Year for Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate, as follows:
Semester 2
- EMTH118
- COSC131
- PHYS101
- CHEM111 (Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or an elective course (Mechatronics or Electrical and Electronic only)
Summer School
- EMTH119
- ENGR102 (Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Mechantronics) or PHYS 102 (Electrical and Electronic only)
On completion of the above courses, you will be considered for entry to the 2nd Year in the same manner as all other 2nd Year applicants, ie ranked by Grade Point Average (GPA).
If you are granted entry to the 2nd Year, you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience. Note, this is at the discretion of the relevant department and is considered on a case-by-case basis only after admission to the programme.
Chemical and Process Engineering - Direct Entry to 3rd Year
Subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering and Forestry), in order to be considered for entry to the 3rd Year, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is expected to have:
- an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study (an appropriate major for Chemical and Process Engineering would be Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Physics).
- a B grade average, and
- at least 200-level Mathematics
With this option, a student has the opportunity to gain a double degree (BSc and BE(Hons)) in five years.
For more information, contact:

Electrical and Electronic Engineering - direct entry to 3rd Year
Subject to the approval of the Associate Dean (Academic: Engineering and Forestry), in order to be considered for entry to the 3rd Year, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is expected to have:
- an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study (an appropriate major for Electrical and Electronic Engineering would be Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science).
- a B grade average
- at least 200-level Mathematics
Additional papers at the 200 or 300 level in Management or Accounting and Information Systems would enhance your application.
With this option, a student has the opportunity to gain a double degree (BSc and BE(Hons)) in five years.
For more information, contact:

Other alternative entry forms
- Direct entry to Second Year or Modified First Year - Expression of interest form
- Entry with prior learning