Engineering First Year
(Previously known as Intermediate Year)

Entry to the First Year
Studying the Engineering First Year is possible for all students who meet the entry requirements.
What to take at school
To ensure you have the best preparation for studying engineering at UC there are certain subjects you should be taking at school. Check the Pathways in Engineering document for details.
The University of Canterbury does not use NCEA rank scores.
What to take in your First Year
The courses you are required to take for a standard Engineering First Year depend on the engineering discipline(s) you wish to study in the Specialist Years.
The Engineering First Year Required Courses Chart outlines which courses are required for each of the engineering disciplines.
If you are unsure of which elective course(s) to take as part of your First Year, have a look at our list of Recommended Elective Courses below.
Recommended electives split by discipline
Course | Semester | Description |
CHCH 101 | S1 | Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation |
CULT 114 | S2 | Aotearoa – Introduction to NZ Treaty Society |
ECON 104 | S1 & S2 | Introduction to Microeconomics |
ECON 105 | S1 & S2 | Introduction to Macroeconomics |
EDUC 101 | S2 | Spark! How & What People Learn |
ENGL 117 / WRIT101 | S1 & S2 | Writing for Academic Success |
MGMT 100 | S1 & S2 | Fundamentals of Management |
MKTG 100 | S1 & S2 | Principles of Marketing |
SCIM 101 | S2 | Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge |
SENS 101 | S1 | Introduction to the Principles of Concepts of Sustainability |
STAT 101 | S1 & S2 | Statistics 1 |
Course | Semester | Description |
CHEM 112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity |
ENVR 101 | S1 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
FORE 102 | S1 & S2 | Forests and Societies |
FORE 105 | S1 & S2 | Forests of the World |
FORE 111 | S1 | Trees, Forest and the Environment |
FORE 131 | S2 | Trees in the Landscape |
FORE 141 | S2 | Forest Growth and Measurements |
FORE 151 | S1 | Commercial Aspects of Forestry |
GEOG 106 | S2 | Global Environmental Change |
GEOG 109 | Not offered in 2022 | Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere |
GEOG 110 | S1 | People, Places and Environments |
GEOL 111 | S1 | Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology |
GEOL 113 | S2 | Geohazards |
GEOL 115 | S2 | The Dynamic Earth System |
PHYS 102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD 131 | S2 | Introduction to Formulation Science |
SPCO 126 | S1 | Land Journeys and Ethics |
Course | Semester | Description |
CHEM 112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity |
ENVR 101 | S1 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
FORE 102 | S1 & S2 | Forests and Societies |
FORE 105 | S1 & S2 | Forests of the World |
FORE 111 | S1 | Trees, Forest and the Environment |
FORE 131 | S2 | Trees in the Landscape |
FORE 141 | S2 | Forest Growth and Measurements |
FORE 151 | S1 | Commercial Aspects of Forestry |
GEOG 106 | S2 | Global Environmental Change |
GEOG 109 | Not offered in 2022 | Physical Geography: Earth, Ocean, Atmosphere |
GEOG 110 | S1 | People, Places and Environments |
GEOL 111 | S1 | Planet Earth: An Introduction to Geology |
GEOL 113 | S2 | Geohazards |
GEOL 115 | S2 | The Dynamic Earth System |
PHYS 102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
Course | Semester | Description |
BIOL 116 | S2 | Human Biology |
COSC 122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science |
DIGI101 / COSC101 | Not offered in 2022 | Working in a Digital World |
DIGI 102 | Not offered in 2022 | Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society |
PHYS 102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD 111 | S2 | Materials Science for Design |
PROD 121 | S2 | The Game Development Process |
Course | Semester | Description |
COSC 122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science - Compulsory for Software Engineering |
DIGI101 / COSC101 | Not offered in 2022 | Working in a Digital World |
DIGI 102 | Not offered in 2022 | Computers, Artificial Intelligence, and the Information Society |
INFO 123 | S1 & S2 | Business Information Systems and Technology |
INFO 125 | S1 | Introduction to Programming with Databases |
PHYS 102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) |
PROD 121 | S2 | The Game Development Process |
Course | Semester | Description | BProdDesign major / technical elective |
BIOL 111 | S1 | Cellular Biology and Biochemistry | Chemical Formulation Design major |
BIOL 112 | S2 | Ecology, Evolution and Conservation | Chemical Formulation Design major |
CHEM 112 | S2 | Structure and Reactivity | Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective |
COSC 122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science | Applied Immersive Game Design major |
PHYS 102 | S2 | Engineering Physics B: Modern Physics and Electromagnetism (2) | Chemical Formulation Design major or Industrial Product Design technical elective |
PROD 111 | S2 | Materials Science for Design | Industrial Product Design major |
PROD 121 | S2 | The Game Development Process | Applied Immersive Game Design major |
PROD 131 | S2 | Introduction to Formulation Science | Chemical Formulation Design major |
Course | Semester | Description |
COSC 101 | Not offered in 2022 | Working in a Digital World |
COSC 122 | S2 | Introduction to Computer Science – Applied Immersive Game Design major |
MATH 120 | S2 | Discrete Mathematics |
STAT 101 | S1 & S2 | Statistics 1 |
Check with Science Student Advisor on this major and appropriate courses.
Download our enrolment guide
Support for First Year students
ENGMe!
Is a student-led peer mentoring scheme that is available to all First Year students. Mentors are current engineering students (in their second to fourth year) who have “been there and done that!”. The programme runs for the first 10 weeks of Semester 1, and is the perfect place to learn tips and tricks, ask questions, seek advice and meet new people.
First Year Connect: Engineering First Year Events
Events are held during the year specifically for First Year students. Once you have completed your enrolment for the First Year you can find information on Learn.
Alternative First Year Options
If you have taken MATH199: Advancing in Mathematical Sciences, or equivalent courses at another institution and/or you achieve excellent NCEA, IB, or CIE results in relevant subjects at a New Zealand High School, you may be considered for Direct Entry to the Second Year of the BE(Hons) programme or be invited to study a Modified First Year. A Modified First Year involves taking some alternative (more advanced or interest) courses in place of some of the standard First Year courses and can be a good option for those still deciding which engineering discipline they wish to study in the Specialist Years or for those who have achieved good results in one or two relevant subjects but not all three.
To be considered for Direct Entry or a Modified First Year you should be expecting to achieve at the following level:
- MATH199 - Advancing in Mathematical Sciences at University of Canterbury (or equivalent courses at another tertiary institution);
AND EITHER:
- NCEA: You must have achieved at least 20 credits, with at least 15 but ideally 20 with 'excellence' endorsement in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry*), plus other Level 3 credits to give a total of at least 80 Level 3 credits; OR
- International Baccalaureate: Scores of 7 HL in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry); OR
- Cambridge International Examination: An A grade in A Level in each of Physics and Chemistry (for disciplines that require Chemistry).
Expression of Interest 2022
If you think you may be eligible for studying a Modified First Year or Direct Entry to Second Year, submit an Expression of Interest 2022 to the College of Engineering Student Advisors. When your results become available in January the Dean of Engineering will consider the best study path for you and inform you of your options.
You may be required to complete your Engineering First Year over two years of study if you do not have the recommended background knowledge or 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 corresponding First Year courses.
Introductory courses are all offered in the first semester of the year so you may be able to complete your First Year in one year of study. However, you may have to complete your First Year over summer school or over two years because:
The introductory course MATH 101 must be taken IN ADDITION to the eight required First Year courses for your chosen discipline(s). It cannot be counted towards required courses in the First Year
The introductory course in Chemistry may be counted towards the eight courses.
Summer 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 out your learning over two years of study. You will need to take some additional courses to make yourself full-time. Contact the Student Advisors for more details.
Science Headstart courses can be taken during the summer before Semester One starts.
It is possible to take an equivalent First Year year at other New Zealand universities for some engineering disciplines. Your application for entry to the Second Year is considered in the same way as students who have completed their First Year at UC. Contact a Student Advisor if you have questions.
BEngTech
If you have completed Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering from a New Zealand tertiary institution you can apply for entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate. You will be considered for First Specialist Year if you:
- have a B+ average, or better, in your BEngTech
- pass EMTH 119 and ENGR 102 (Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or PHYS 102 (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) with a B average, or better, during the summer prior to beginning the Second Year
If you are granted entry to the 1st Specialist Year you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience (this will be at the discretion of the relevant department, 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 New Zealand tertiary institution with a B+ average across all your courses and an A- or better in a level 5 Mathematics paper, you will be considered for a Modified First Year for Civil, Natural Resources, Mechanical or Electrical and Electronic Engineering as appropriate, as follows:
Semester 2
- EMTH 118
- COSC131
- PHYS 101
- CHEM 111 (Civil, Natural Resources or Mechanical) or an elective course (Mechatronics or Electrical and Electronic only)
Summer School
- EMTH 119
- ENGR 102 (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 Second Year in the same manner as all other Second Year applicants, ie ranked by Grade Point Average (GPA).
If you are granted entry to the Second Year you may be considered for exemption from individual courses depending on your background and experience (this will be at the discretion of the relevant department, considered on a case-by-case basis only after admission to the programme).
Chemical and Process Engineering - direct entry to Third Year
Subject to the approval of the Dean of Engineering, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science is expected to have an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study, a B grade average, and at least 200-level Mathematics to be considered for entry to the Third Year. An appropriate specialisation for Chemical and Process Engineering would be Chemistry, Biochemistry or Physics.
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 Third Year
Subject to the approval of the Dean of Engineering, a student applying with a Bachelor of Science is expected to have an appropriate major for the specialisation they wish to study, a B grade average, and at least 200-level Mathematics to be considered for entry to Third Year. An appropriate specialisation for Electrical and Electronic Engineering would be Mathematics, Physics or Computer Science.
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:

Alan Wood
Associate Professor
Deputy Head of Department
Other alternative entry forms
- Application for exemption from prerequisite (PDF, 42KB, 1 pages)
- Entry with prior learning (PDF, 66KB, 2 pages)
Ready to start your engineering journey?
Enrol with UC