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Bachelor's degree

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

BE(Hons)
06 October 2023

UC's Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, BE(Hons), enables our graduates to work as professionally qualified engineers all over the world. Find out about studying this four-year degree through our Te Kaupeka Pūhanga | Faculty of Engineering.

START

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Degree Structure - Start In
Semester 1 (February)

POINTS

480

DURATION

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Degree Structure - Duration
4 years full-time, up to 6 years part-time

Overview


Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Introduction

Engineers design the future. They provide innovative solutions to meet the needs of our modern world.

From buildings and bridges, apps and smart devices, to pharmaceuticals and renewable energy, engineering feats are everywhere.

The BE(Hons) is a four-year professional degree. The degree is accredited by Engineering New Zealand, allowing our graduates to work as professionally qualified engineers all over the world.

You can also choose to complete the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering at the same time as your BE(Hons) degree, adding a humanities and service-based focus to your engineering discipline.

UC also offers Engineering Conjoint degrees which allow you to combine your BE(Hons) degree with another and study different areas at the same time.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

What will my study involve?

  • Access modern engineering labs and computer and testing facilities.
  • Enjoy a flexible first year which allows you to keep a variety of discipline options open for your next three years of study.
  • Study the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering at the same time as your degree, and gain unique skills in humanitarian and service-based engineering solutions.
  • Combine your Engineering studies with other degrees through UC's Engineering Conjoint degrees to complete two different subject areas in one.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Entry requirements

See more about Studying Engineering for enrolment requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

NCEA

You should aim to have at least:

  • 14 credits in Level 3 maths or calculus including both differentiation and integration
  • 14 credits in Level 3 physics
  • 14 credits in Level 3 chemistry.

Note: Achievement standards 91578 — 'Apply differentiation methods in solving problems' and 91579 — 'Apply integration methods in solving problems', must be included.

Chemistry is not required for students taking Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Software Engineering.

18 credits are strongly recommended in all subjects.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

You will need to have:

  • Minimum of 4 HL (or 5 SL) in maths (HL is recommended)
  • Minimum of 4 HL (or 6 SL) in physics (HL is recommended)
  • Minimum of 4 HL (or 6 SL) in chemistry.

Chemistry is not required for students taking Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Software Engineering.

Cambridge International Examination (CIE)

You will need to have:

  • Maths and physics — D grade or better at A level or A in AS level
  • Chemistry — D grade or better at A level or A in AS level.

Chemistry is not required for students taking Computer Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Software Engineering.

Alternatively the first year can be completed in more than one year (maximum of two years) with a minimum requirement of:

  • CIE Score of 120 Points
  • D Grade at A-Level or C Grade at AS-Level in Mathematics
  • D Grade at A-Level or C Grade at AS-Level in Physics
  • preferably C Grade at AS-Level in Chemistry (discipline specific).

Top achievers

Students who have achieved excellent results in all relevant subjects may be able to get direct entry into the second year.

Alternatively, a Modified First Year is offered to students who have taken the MATH199 or relevant STAR Science courses, and/or have achieved excellent results in some subjects. You may be exempt from taking some of the required courses in the first year and offered advanced/interest courses in their place.

See more about Studying Engineering for planning your first year.

Introductory pathway

If you did not achieve enough credits, you can take introductory courses in specific subjects to start with (eg, MATH101, PHYS111, and CHEM114). You could then take the first year courses in Semester 2 and over summer, or do an extra year of study.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

How do I plan my degree?

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours requires a minimum of 480 points:

  • 75 points of compulsory courses (plus two 0-point compulsory courses)
  • 45 points of first-year engineering courses
  • 360 points of engineering discipline courses.

The first year of the degree is made up of nine courses (120 points), including six compulsory courses and three first-year courses, which vary depending on which Engineering discipline you want to specialise in. See more about Studying Engineering for structuring your first year to keep your options open if you are undecided on which discipline you wish to pursue.

The first year is followed by three years of study in one of the Engineering disciplines. Some disciplines also offer the opportunity to include a minor subject. Entry to the second year of the degree is limited and based on your performance in the first year.

You will also complete 800 hours (approximately 100 days) of practical work placement.

The degree takes 4 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years.

For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

Limited entry into second year

Entry into the second year of the Engineering programme is limited, however most students who pass their first year courses gain entry to their first or second Engineering discipline choice. If you are not successful in gaining a place, or if you decide not to continue with Engineering, you can normally credit completed courses to the Bachelor of Science or other UC degrees.

Physical requirements

Some Engineering courses involve a variety of practical activities requiring manual dexterity including, but not limited to, laboratory work, use of machine tools, hand sketching and the use of drawing instruments, and extensive use of computer equipment.

The nature of these physical requirements varies depending on Engineering discipline. Should you have accessibility requirements that may affect your ability to complete such activities, please contact the Engineering Student Advisors before enrolling in second year to discuss support options.

Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering

You may also be able to study the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering at the same time as completing your BE(Hons), giving your engineering specialisation a unique focus on service-based engineering solutions.

Conjoint degrees

You can study a conjoint degree and merge your BE(Hons) with many options, such as the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Product Design, so that you can complete major subjects from multiple areas in a shorter timeframe.

These conjoint degrees have specific major combinations to meet Engineering New Zealand accreditation requirements.

Find out more information about Engineering Conjoint degrees.

Double degrees

It is possible to study a BE(Hons) alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science.

Find out more information about Double degrees.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Subjects and courses

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours includes introductory courses in engineering mathematics, computer science, and physics, and advanced courses and work placements in an engineering specialisation.

Compulsory courses

The first year of the degree includes the following compulsory courses:

At the second year of the degree you will also take the following compulsory course:

Engineering disciplines

UC offers nine disciplines within the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours:

Note: * Natural Resources Engineering is not open to new enrolments from 2025. Students enrolling in the BE(Hons) First Year in 2024 will no longer be able to specialise in this discipline. Alternatively, students should consider Civil Engineering with a minor in Water and Environmental Systems Engineering

If you are undecided on which discipline you wish to pursue it is possible to keep your options open for more than one discipline (and is encouraged given the popularity of some professional programmes).

Engineering minors

Some of the Engineering disciplines have a minor subject available that you can also choose to complete:

Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering

See also the Diploma in Global Humanitarian Engineering which can be studied alongside the BE(Hons) and be completed in the same time it takes to complete the four-year degree.

Domestic students

First Year
2024 tuition fee estimate: $7,979 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $8,458 per 120 points

Second-Fourth Years
2024 tuition fee estimate: $8,469 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $8,977 per 120 points

International students

First Year
2024 tuition fee estimate: $43,950 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $45,665 per 120 points

Second-Fourth Years
2024 tuition fee estimate: $48,000 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $49,900 per 120 points

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Career ready

  • You will spend around 100 days (800 hours) on practical work placements as part of your degree.
  • Gain skills in communication and report writing, ethics, sustainability, safety, and interacting with clients and customers.
  • Graduates work in private companies and consultancies through to government agencies, with many progressing into management.
  • All UC engineering degrees are accredited by Engineering New Zealand and will qualify you for student membership.

Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.


Example degree structure diagram
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.

This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.


Brochures

Engineering and Product Design brochure 2025

Pūhanga me te Hanga Otinga

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International Prospectus 2024/2025

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