Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

Visit the Intermediate 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 entrance requirements

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 6 SL) in each of maths and 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 Intermediate can be completed in more than one year (maximum of two years) with a minimum requirement of:

• CIE Score of 140 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

Direct entry to the First Professional year (second year) is offered to students who have achieved excellent results in all relevant subjects.

Alternatively, a Modified Intermediate Year is offered to students who have taken the MATH 199 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 Intermediate Year and offered advanced/interest courses in their place.

For more information, please refer to the Intermediate Year page.

Introductory pathway

If you did not achieve enough credits, you can take introductory courses in specific subjects to start with (eg, MATH 101, PHYS 111, and CHEM 114). You could then take the Intermediate 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:

• 60 points of compulsory courses (plus two 0-point compulsory courses)
• 60 points of intermediate engineering courses
• 360 points of professional engineering discipline courses.

The first year of the degree is called the Engineering Intermediate Year and comprises nine courses (120 points), made up of five compulsory courses and four Intermediate Year courses, which vary depending on which Engineering discipline you want to specialise in. Find guidance online to structuring your Intermediate Year to keep your options open if you are undecided on which discipline you wish to pursue.

The Intermediate Year is followed by three Professional Years of study in one of the Engineering disciplines. Some disciplines also offer the opportunity to include a minor subject. Entry to the Professional Years is limited and based on your performance in the first year(s).

All students must also complete one compulsory course in their First Professional Year, and 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 study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha Student Advisor (advancing students).

Limited entry into second year

Entry into the Professional Years of the Engineering programme is limited, however most students who pass their Intermediate Year courses gain entry to their first or second 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.

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

You may be able to combine your BE(Hons) studies with other degrees, such as a Bachelor of Commerce or a Bachelor of Science.

Find out more information about Double degrees.

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours follows a closely prescribed structure, with introductory courses in engineering mathematics 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 is called the Intermediate Year and includes the following compulsory courses for all BE(Hons) students:

• ENGR 100 Engineering Academic Skills (0 points, no fees course)
• ENGR 101 Foundations of Engineering
• EMTH 118 Engineering Mathematics 1A
• EMTH 119 Engineering Mathematics 1B
• PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
• Four 100-level courses based on your intended discipline choice

At the second year of the degree, called the First Professional Year, you will also take the following compulsory course:

• ENGR 200 Engineering Work Experience (0 points, no fees course)

Engineering disciplines

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

• Chemical and Process Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Forest Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Natural Resources Engineering
• Software 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 Intermediate Year.

Engineering minors

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

• Biomedical Engineering within Mechanical Engineering
• Bioprocess Engineering within Chemical and Process Engineering
• Energy Processing Technologies within Chemical and Process Engineering
• Communications and Network Engineering within Computer Engineering
• Power Engineering within Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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.