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Electrical engineer standing in front of equipment wearing hard hat

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical)

SC1001

Course details

  • Feb 2025
    Jul 2025
  • Three years
  • Full-time or Part-time
  • $8,508* per year
  • Level 7
  • Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
  • Hamilton Rotokauri Campus

Summary

As an electrical engineering technologist, a workday could involve being busy specifying, designing, or supervising the construction of systems and equipment that produce, distribute or use electricity, calculating costs and materials needed, bidding for contracts, overseeing electricity system tests and writing reports or even instruction manuals.

Electrical engineering includes the specialist area of mechatronics, which merges the two disciplines of mechanical engineering and power engineering for in-depth knowledge of the fundamental components of power automated systems.

This programme is for those who want a career in engineering. Students will learn theory and hands-on practical skills using modern technology in our engineering labs. If students are in employment, the project module can be tailored to their workplace.

Six of the largest institutes of technology and polytechnics in New Zealand have consulted with industry leaders to create this up-to-date, industry-relevant programme. The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is accredited by the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).

What you will learn

Engineering programme modules over three years

Year 1
In the first year, students will study core engineering modules and an electrical engineering module. There are three pathways to choose from when it comes to the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical):

  • Power engineering 
    Waikato is a major contributor to the electricity supply grid producing about 50% of New Zealand's energy needs. Millions of dollars are spent annually upgrading the electrical infrastructure in the Waikato. This investment requires a highly qualified and skilled workforce that graduates of the Bachelor can be part of. Power engineering graduates will be competent at analysing, solving, managing and taking responsibility for broadly-defined electrical and power engineering problems and activities. Graduates will have an in-depth knowledge of the operation and protection of power systems; an understanding of the design requirements for power systems; in-depth knowledge of the operation and performance of electrical machines; and knowledge of the fundamental components of power electronic systems.
  • Mechatronics
    Mechatronics merges the two disciplines of mechanical engineering and electronics. It also includes aspects of computing, robotics and automation. This pathway is much in demand by manufacturers because of its combination of all these different disciplines. 

Year 2
In the second year, students will study modules entirely specific to the electrical engineering major. This could be in the design, operation and protection of power systems, machinery, or electronics.

Year 3
In the final year, students will put all the skills and processes they've learned into completing a practical, industry-based project. If already in employment, students can tailor the project 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 Principles 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 
MG6136Design615MG5005 

Electrical major compulsory modules

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

MG5034

MG5035

Electrical Principles; and Electronic Principles 

5

5

15

15

  

Note: only one combination is compulsory – either MG5034/MG5035, or MG5014/MG5105

Power pathway – recommended modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG5016Elements of Power Engineering515MG5015 or
MG5034
 
MG5017Electrical Machines515MG5015 or
MG5034
 
MG5018PLC Programming 1515MG5001 and one of
MG5014 or
MG5034 or
MG5033 or
 
MG5021Electronics Manufacturing 1515MG5015 or
MG5035
 
MG6117Power Distribution615MG5016 
MG6118Sustainable Energy and
Power Electronics
615MG5004, and MG5015 or MG5035 
MG6019PLC Programming 2615MG5018  
MG6190Mathematics 2615MG5004  
MG6020Automation615MG6019  
MG7110Power Systems715MG5016  
MG7011Electrical Machine Dynamics715MG5017  

Electronic pathway – recommended modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG5019Electronics 1515MG5015 or
MG5035
 
MG5020Microcontroller Systems 1 515MG5001 
MG5021Electronics Manufacturing 1515MG5015 or
MG5035
 
MG5022Programming for Engineers 1515MG5001 
MG6021Electronics 2615MG5019 
MG6022Microcontroller Systems 2 615MG5020  
MG6023Electronics Manufacturing 2615MG5021 
MG6024Electronic Design615MG5015 or
MG5035MG5020
 
MG7012Signal Processing715MG5004
MG5019
 
MG7013Embedded Systems715MG6022 

 

Mechatronics pathway – recommended modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG5018PLC Programming 1515MG5001 and one of
MG5014 or
MG5034 or
MG5033
 
MG5021Electronics Manufacturing 1
515MG5015 or
MG5035
 
MG5026Instrumentation and Control 1515MG5014 or
MG5034
 
MG6019PLC Programming 2615MG5018 
MG6031Instrumentation and Control 2615MG5004
MG5026
 
MG6032Fluid Mechanics (Mech)615MG5002
MG5004
 
MG6033Mechanics of Machines615MG5002
MG5004
 
MG6190Mathematics 2615MG5004 
MG6020Automation615MG6019 
MG7017Robotics715MG6019
MG6033
 
MG7018Systems and Control715MG6031 

Common electives

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG7025Project Management715MG6103 
MG7026Risk Management 715MG6103 
MG5090Heritage, Culture and Sustainability in Engineering 515  
MG6048Special Topic615  
MG7047 Special Topic715  
MG6190Mathematics 2515MG5004 

Electrical electives

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
MG6047Protection615MG5032 and
MG5107
 

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.

Purpose-built facilities

Students will learn in a purpose-built trades and engineering facility at the Rotokauri Campus. This facility provides learning opportunities that reflects 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 right up to date with what students need to know for future employment. Students will be provided with opportunities for practical experience through project work, site visits, and investigations. Wintec maintains strong partnerships with industry leaders bringing 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 future workplace.

Read more about Design Factory NZ here.

Design factory NZ logo small size

Career/further opportunities

Graduates may be employed in roles such as:

  • Electrical engineering technologist
  • Electrical services engineer
  • Power systems engineer
  • Control systems engineer
  • Robotics/automation engineer
  • Control system engineer
  • Lighting and building services engineer
  • Technical sales or field services engineer
  • Technologies roles within electrical, lighting, building, and power industries

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

General academic admission

a) Candidates are required to have:
  i) obtained a minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, including:
    (1) Three subjects at level 3 including a minimum of 14 credits in Physics; and
    (2) A minimum of 14 credits in Calculus; and
    (3) One other subject with a minimum of 14 credits from the list of 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).
* NZQA approved subjects
  ii) obtained the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (NZDE) with a 60% or better overall grade average; or
  iii) completed at least two years relevant work experience post-graduation; or
  iv) gained admission approved by the Programme Committee/Centre Director; or
  v) 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 success1 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 may be 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?
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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

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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