Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Visit the Engineering First Year page for more information on enrolment requirements for the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, including an interactive course planner.

For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.

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.

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.

For more information, please refer to the Engineering First Year page.

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.

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. Find guidance online to 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.

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.

Conjoint degrees

You can study a conjoint degree and merge your BE(Hons) with 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 Conjoint degrees.

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.

See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.

Compulsory courses

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

• ENGR100 Engineering Academic Skills
• ENGR101 Foundations of Engineering
• EMTH118 Engineering Mathematics 1A
• EMTH119 Engineering Mathematics 1B
• PHYS101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
• COSC131 Introduction to Programming for Engineers
• Three 100-level courses based on your intended discipline choice

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

• ENGR200 Engineering Work Experience

Engineering disciplines

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

* 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). Find guidance online to structuring your first year.

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.