New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical)
EN1603
Course details
-
Feb 2025Jul 2025
- Two years
- Full-time or Part-time
- $8,508* per year
- Level 6
- Available for International Students. International Fee Guideline
- Hamilton Rotokauri Campus
Summary
Students will learn the core knowledge and practical skills required to meet industry needs in their chosen engineering strand.
At Wintec, it is not just about theory; it is about developing the skills students need to actually do the job, so hands-on laboratory work reinforces theory taught in classrooms. Students will learn how to design products, how components work, the materials they are made from and how to manufacture them. Then, using SolidWorks, students will learn how to draw and present designs for industry, leading to a final semester industry-relevant project.
We are closely involved with the mechanical engineering industry. From our qualified tutors, many of whom are still working in the industry, to our relationship with WECA (Waikato Engineering Careers Association), who assists us in finding work placements and career opportunities for Wintec students.
With this qualification, students will enter the engineering industry with the ability to apply understanding and skills to the standard expected of a practising engineering technician.
What you will learn
Before students learn how to design machines, they will learn how to use them - lathes, shaping machines, milling machines, welders, and more. Then, using cutting-edge 3D modelling software, including SolidWorks and AutoCAD, students will produce drawings to industry standards (AS1100).
There are 11 compulsory modules that must be completed over the two-year programme. Additionally, there is a mixture of elective modules that can be studied. Students will be able to discuss this choice with the Programme Manager as these will depend on the pathway chosen.
View programme modules
Common compulsory modules
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DE4101 | Engineering Fundamentals | 4 | 15 | ||
DE4102 | Engineering Mathematics 1 | 4 | 15 | ||
DE4103 | Technical Literacy | 4 | 15 | ||
DE6101 | Engineering Management | 6 | 15 | Min of 105 credits from NZDE | |
DE6102 | Engineering Project | 6 | 15 | DE4103 and Min of 45 credits at Level 5 DE4301 | DE6101 |
Mechanical Engineering strand compulsory modules
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DE3301 | Engineering Practice | 3 | 15 | ||
DE4301 | Engineering CAD | 4 | 15 | DE4103 | |
DE5305 | Mechanics | 5 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE4103 | |
DE5306 | Mechanical Materials | 5 | 15 | ||
DE5301 | Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer | 5 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE4103 | |
DE6301 | Fluid Mechanics | 6 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE5305 |
Mechanical specialisation
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory modules | |||||
DE5302 | Strength of Materials 1 | 5 | 15 | DE5305 | |
DE6310 | Manufacturing Processes and Production | 6 | 15 | DE5306 | |
DE5304 | Electrical Fundamentals | 5 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE4103 | |
Electives: two to be selected | |||||
DE6302 | Mechanics of Machines | 6 | 15 | DE5302 | |
DE6308 | Strength of Materials 2 | 6 | 15 | DE5302 | |
DE6309 | Advanced Thermodynamics | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
DE6315 | Fluid Power | 6 | 15 | ||
DE6419 | Maintenance Engineering Management | 6 | 15 |
Services specialisation
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory modules | |||||
DE5304 | Electrical Fundamentals | 5 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE4103 | |
DE6303 | Water-based Heat Transfer Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5302 | |
DE6311 | Air Handling Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
Electives: two to be selected | |||||
DE5402 | PLC Programming 1 | 5 | 15 | ||
DE6304 | Piped Services Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
DE6312 | Building Management and Control Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
DE6313 | Industrial Refrigeration Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
DE6314 | Commercial and Light Industrial RAC Systems | 6 | 15 | DE5301 | |
DE6419 | Maintenance Engineering Management | 6 | 15 |
Production specialisation
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory modules | |||||
DE6310 | Manufacturing Processes and Production | 6 | 15 | DE5306 | |
DE5304 | Electrical Fundamentals | 5 | 15 | DE4101 DE4102 DE4103 | |
DE6305 | Quality and Reliability | 6 | 15 | DE5302 | |
DE6306 | Operations Management | 6 | 15 | DE6305 | |
DE6307 | Planning and Control | 6 | 15 | DE4102 |
Metallurgy specialisation compulsory
Module code | Module name | Level | Credits | Pre-requisites | Co-requisites |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory modules | |||||
DE6310 | Manufacturing Processes and Production | 5 | 15 | DE5306 | |
DE5302 | Strength of Materials 1 | 5 | 15 | DE5305 | |
DE6308 | Strength of Materials 2 | 6 | 15 | DE5302 | |
DE6316 | Advanced Materials Metallurgy | 6 | 15 | DE5306 DE6310 | DE6308 |
DE6317 | Particulate Material Dynamics | 6 | 15 | DE6301 |

No two days are the same for Tahiwi Magner who, on any given day, could be working on wind farms and bridges throughout New Zealand, carrying out earthquake strengthening and demolition projects or flying overseas to meet new clients.
This diversity is what the 29-year-old loves most about his job as Engineering Manager at Hamilton’s Industrial Site Services Co Ltd.
Career/further opportunities
Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering may be employed as engineering technicians in workplaces that have a technical/engineering basis relevant to their specialist engineering strand (mechanical, civil, electrical, and electronics).
The mechanical engineering strand roles include designing, manufacturing, and maintaining tools, engines, machines, and systems.
Events
No events.
Disclaimers
Entry criteria
General academic admission
a) Candidates are required to have gained:
- NCEA Level 2*
- a minimum total of 48 NCEA credits at Level 2 in four subjects, including at least 12 credits in Mathematics (preferably from achievement standards in algebra, calculus or trigonometry); or
- equivalent qualifications (e.g. International Baccalaureate or Cambridge); or
- equivalent credits from trades training and/or demonstrated skills and experience, and
*a minimum of 10 literacy credits at Level 1 or higher (for those who achieved NCEA Level 2 before 2013).
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 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 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 Centre Director or designated nominee.
English language requirements
Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.0, with no individual band score lower than 5.5; or equivalent.
Pathways

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.
Venue: Student Street, G Block, Rotokauri Campus
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.
Prospectus (course guide)
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