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Civil engineer talking on walkie talkie and looking at bridge construction

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil)

SC1001

Course details

  • Feb 2025
    Jul 2025
  • Three years
  • Full-time or Part-time
  • $8,508* per year
  • You may qualify for fee-free study under Fees Free Policy
  • Level 7
  • Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
  • Hamilton Rotokauri Campus

Summary

Civil engineering technologists apply mathematical, natural science and engineering fundamentals to civil engineering infrastructure such as roads, bridges, harbours, water and waste water facilities. They design and oversee the execution of solutions for a broad range of engineering problems, and research and investigate possibilities to propose the best options and most appropriate techniques and resources.

This programme is for those who want a career in civil engineering. Students will learn theory and practical skills using technology in our engineering labs. Students can choose between two civil engineering pathways: water and waste engineering or roading and transportation engineering. If they are in employment, students can tailor the project module to their workplace.

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is accredited by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).

"Wintec engineering technologist graduates are ahead in their skills and knowledge, we desperately need more." 

Steve Muller
​Principal Lead Transport Designer
​MWH​​​​​

What you will learn

Engineering programme modules over three years

Year 1
In the first year, students will study six broad engineering papers and two papers specific to their major, water and waste engineering, or roading and transportation engineering.

  • Water and waste engineering
    Specialising in civil water and waste engineering, students will gain an in-depth knowledge of the principles and practice relating to water reticulation systems; the treatment and disposal of liquid and solid wastes, catchment run-off, erosion, water balances and sustainable land use; urban wastewater and stormwater systems. Students will be able to apply their expertise to projects in professional civil engineering environments.
  • Roading and transportation engineering
    Specialising in civil roading and transportation engineering, students will be able to work from a sound engineering base with sufficient skills to manage technical operations competently; liaise effectively with design and management professionals, clients, regulatory authorities, and contractors; and have an understanding of different cultures and in particular an awareness and clear understanding of the tangata whenua and the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi and the Resource Management Act.

Year 2
In the second year, all modules will be specific to the student's specialisation, being either civil water and waste engineering or roading and transportation engineering.

Year 3
In the third and final year, students will put all the skills and processes they have learned into completing a practical, industry-based project. If students have gained employment, then the project can be tailored to suit their workplace.

View programme modules

All majors - common compulsory modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG5001Engineering Computing515  
MG5002Engineering Mechanics515  
MG5003Engineering Communication515  
MG5004Engineering Mathematics 1515  
MG5005Engineering Design and Drawing 515  
MG6103Engineering Management 515MG5003 
MG7101Engineering Development
Project
730Minimum of 30
credits at level 6 in chosen major; and Civil: MG6106 and
Electrical/Mechanical: MG6136
 
MG7121Professional Engineering
Practice
715MG6103 

Civil major compulsory modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG5006Land Surveying515  
MG5008Fluid Mechanics (Civil)515

MG5002

MG5004

 
MG5009Engineering Site Investigation 515  
MG5012Highway Engineering515

MG5004

MG5009

 
MG5107Civil Materials 515  
MG5032Basic Structures515MG5002 
MG6005Civil Engineering Detailing and Modelling 615MG5005 
MG6106Civil Engineering Construction Practices 615  

Structural pathway – recommended modules

Module codeModule nameLevelCreditsPre-requisitesCo-requisites
MG6046Structural Principles615MG5032
MG5107
 
MG6007Structural Steel and Timber615MG6046
 
MG6008Structural Concrete615MG6046 
MG7004Design of Structures715MG6007
MG6008
 

Water and Water Waste pathway – recommended modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG6109Water and Waste Engineering615 MG5008
MG6011Hydrology and Erosion Management 615  
MG6110Water and Waste Treatment615 MG5008
MG7005Urban Drainage Systems715MG6109 

Geotechnical pathway – recommended modules

Module codeModule nameLevel CreditsPre-requisitesCo-requisites
MG6012Geotechnical Engineering A615MG5009 
MG6045Geotechnical Engineering B615MG6012 
MG6013Engineering Geology615MG5107MG5009
MG7045Geotechnical Engineering C715MG6045 

Roading/Transportation pathway – recommended modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG6014Highway Design and Maintenance615MG5012 
MG6015Traffic Engineering615MG5012 
MG7007Urban Transport Planning
715MG5012 

Environmental pathway – recommended modules

Module codeModule nameLevelCreditsPre-requisitesCo-requisites
MG5113Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering515  
MG6116Sensitive Environment615  
MG7008Sustainable Resource Utilisation 715  
MG7109Resource and Environmental Management 715  

Common electives

Module codeModule nameLevelCreditsPre-requisitesCo-requisites
MG7025Project Management715MG6103 
MG7026Risk Management715MG6103 
MG5090Heritage, Culture and Sustainability in Engineering 515  
MG6048Special Topic615  
MG7047Special Topic715  
MG6190Mathematics 2515MG5004 

Option

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
DFNZ701Design Factory730  

The 30 credit module DFNZ701: Design Factory 1 can be offered as an option within any Wintec degree programme, wherever the degree programme structures allows such an option.  Admission into the Design Factory module is on negotiation with the Centre Director or delegated authority and selection into the module is in line with the Design Factory process.

Graduate profiles

Shaun Hennessey

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil)

“As a site engineer with Fletcher Construction, I worked as part of an alliance made up of several companies that are constructing the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway. My role was within the utilities team, which allowed me to work across the whole project with every team and do something new every day.

In my final year of the degree, my then-employer contacted my tutor and asked for CVs to be sent in. Within a week, I had an interview, and within a month, I was at work. My course at Wintec was the key to me being able to hit the ground running in work life. Wintec has tutors who have real-life experience in the industry and understand what we as students need to be successful. You can see a difference in what we’re taught compared to other institutions because Wintec teaches you using the real tools and software that we use in the industry.”

Shaun Hennessey

Purpose-built engineering facility

Students learn in a purpose-built trades and engineering facility at the Rotokauri Campus. This facility provides learning opportunities that reflect industry standards and uses the latest techniques and technologies.

Industry tutors and connections

Wintec tutors are highly trained and qualified in their specialist fields. They are up to date with what students need to know for future employment. Opportunities will be provided to students for practical experience through project work, site visits and investigations. Wintec has strong partnerships with industry leaders that bring valuable resources such as guest speakers, current skills, and knowledge.

Design Factory NZ

In their third year of study, students can apply to study the 30 credit Design Factory NZ module. This experience teaches a range of problem-solving methodologies, which students will apply to a real-world challenge provided by an industry partner. Students will work in a multi-disciplinary team alongside students from engineering, business, IT, sport and exercise science, media arts, and more. 

Joining Design Factory NZ will provide students with the opportunity to learn and work in new ways, prototype solutions to complex problems, and develop their soft skills of creativity, empathy and communication - all in high-demand for the workplace of the future.

Read more about Design Factory NZ here.

Design factory NZ logo small size

Career/further opportunities

Graduates may be employed as a civil engineering technologist.

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

General academic admission

a) Candidates are required to have:
  i) University Entrance (UE), or equivalent, comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
    (1) A minimum of 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in Physics; and 
    (2) A minimum of 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in Calculus; and
    (3) A minimum of 14 credits at NCEA Level 3 in one other subject from the list of UE approved subjects; and
    (4) Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing; and
    (5) Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).
Or:
  ii) The New Zealand Diploma in Engineering Level 6 (NZDE) with a 60% or better overall grade average; or
  iii) completed at least two years relevant work experience post-graduation; or
  iv) completed equivalent academic qualifications which may include University Bursary with 45% or more in both Physics and Calculus or Algebra, equivalent Cambridge score, equivalent International Baccalaureate.

UE 2020

Applicants who achieved University Entrance through NCEA in 2020 will be assessed under separate NZQA entry requirements that take into account the impacts of COVID-19. Candidates are required to have:

  • obtained a minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, including:
    • Three subjects at level 3 including a minimum of 12 credits in Physics; and
    • A minimum of 12 credits in Calculus; and
    • One other subject with a minimum of 12 credits from the list of approved subjects *; and
    • Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing; and
    • Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).
       * NZQA approved subjects: see nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance.

Special admission

Domestic applicants aged 20 years or above who have not met the General Admission or entry requirements for a programme but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success may be eligible for Special Admission. Special admission will be granted at the discretion of the relevant Centre Director or designated nominee. Such applicants may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into higher-level programmes.

Provisional entry

Domestic applicants aged under 20 years who have not met the general academic admission and entry criteria for a programme but who can demonstrate a reasonable chance of success through other educational attainment and/or work or life experience may be eligible for provisional entry at the discretion of the relevant Centre Director or designated nominee. Provisional entry places restrictions on re-enrolment to be lifted if the applicant’s performance is deemed satisfactory by the relevant Centre Director or designated nominee.

Selection criteria

a) Candidates may be required to attend an interview and may be required to produce a work-based portfolio (where appropriate).
b) Where applications exceed the number of places available, the following selection criteria maybe applied:
i) academic achievement in related subject areas such as statistics, technology, and graphics;
ii) previous academic achievements;
iii) communication skills;
iv) motivation to complete the programme;
v) life or work experience in, or appropriate to, the programme;
vi) ability to participate in fieldwork aspects of the programme, where relevant.

English language requirements

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an overall International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.0 or better in the academic band, with a minimum of 6.0 in the written and speaking bands, and a minimum of 5.5 in the reading and listening bands; or equivalent.

Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Don't meet the entry criteria?

Pathways

Engineering pathway diagram

To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 1 2025
Date: Friday 14 February 2025
Time: 9am-3pm

Venue: Student Street, G Block, Rotokauri Campus

Semester 2 2025
Date: Friday 18 July 2025
Time: 9am-3pm

Venue: Student Street, G Block, Rotokauri Campus

Returning students
Semester 1 classes start on Monday 17 February 2025.
Semester 2 classes start on Monday 21 July 2025.

What you will need

  • Laptop (Windows 10 or higher, compatible with SolidWorks: 2.3Ghz or higher; 16GB RAM or more; Graphics - open GL card; SSD drives)
  • Scientific calculator
  • Headphones/earphones (for plugging into electronic devices)
  • Safety glasses
  • Safety boots/shoes with industrial steel caps
  • High visibility vest

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Additional information

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

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