Unitec New Zealand | Experience Real World Learning
Bachelor of Applied Technology - Automotive Engineering image

Gain a thorough understanding of the automotive industry and discover there’s more to the automotive industry than the vehicles themselves. Develop a thorough grounding in automotive electrical and electronic systems, power units, body and auxiliary systems, fuel systems, power transmission, and suspension and controls.


[BAppTech]

7, 360

Full-time for three years or part-time (day) options available

Starts February or July

35 places each semester

Applications will be considered in the date order they are received

CA2320

Mt Albert campus

NZ$ 4945

International fees
Programme summary
Career opportunities
Courses and timetables
Admission requirements

Programme summary

Want to work in the automotive industry? Learn to keep pace with the rapid advances in automotive engineering and confidently apply your skills across a wide range of situations.

Learn to keep pace with the advances in automotive technology and find out how international trends affect our national decisions about automotive applications. Critical analysis is an important component of your study, and you will compare and contrast existing automotive systems and modify them where applicable. Transport efficiency and sustainability issues, traffic accident analysis and vehicle systems diagnosis are “hot” areas which provide future employment prospects. You will be encouraged to be innovative in your thinking and gain the skills to confidently apply your knowledge in a wide range of situations.

Develop an understanding of how to run a small business, use lawyers and manage projects. You’ll also improve your communication and problem-solving skills, and increase your confidence in business management.

Real-world learning
As an automotive engineering student, you may work in any of the 18 specialist, well-equipped workshops, and a fleet of modern vehicles is available for project work. Along with students studying other trade training areas, you also get to spend one day a week in a real workplace to apply the theory you have learnt, and to get a good “feel” for your chosen career.

In your final year, you take part in a major industry project where you can make valuable contacts for your future career in the automotive industry.

Industry recognition
Unitec is a member of the Vehicle Service Federation, and the on-the-job work experience you get through our automotive programmes will help you keep your finger on the pulse of innovation.

As a Unitec student you have the opportunity to become a member of the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME). Once you complete your qualification, you are also eligible to apply to become an Associate Member of the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia.

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Career opportunities

  • Automotive business owner/manager
  • Automotive specialist/technician
  • Car design and building specialist
  • High performance (power units) technician
  • Road traffic accident analyst
  • Vehicle sales and service manager
  • Workshop controller

 

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Courses and timetables

To view the list of courses and timetables for this programme for 2010, please click here.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements. Applicants may be interviewed.

General admission

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age when the programme begins (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form, which you can obtain from your local Ministry of Education office); and 
  • Have a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of:
    • 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list; and
    • 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects; and
  • Have a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework; and
  • Have a minimum of eight credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing (see note), or equivalent; or
  • Have at least three C passes in New Zealand University Bursaries examinations, or equivalent; or
  • Have the Unitec Certificate in Foundation Studies: Whitinga (Level 3) with a relevant endorsement, where appropriate, or equivalent.

Applicants must also have either the Unitec Certificate in Applied Technology or a national certificate at Level 3 or higher in a discipline relevant to the applicant's specialisation in the degree, or equivalent.

Applicants who have not completed the Unitec Certificate in Applied Technology must submit a portfolio of achievements broadly equivalent to the practical skills required for the certificate.

Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level.

Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

  • Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four credits must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or  
  • Have at least seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or 
  • Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
  • Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent; or
  • Have New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent; or
  • Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.0 (with no band score lower than 5.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 550, or equivalent; or
  • Have an appropriate Unitec English language qualification, such as the Diploma in English (Academic), or equivalent.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements may still be accepted if they have successfully completed the Unitec Certificate in Applied Technology.

Portfolio requirements

 The portfolio must demonstrate the applicant's ability to:

  • Produce and work to simple work plans
  • Select and use materials, tools and equipment
  • Identify problems and design solutions to problems
  • Carry out general repairs and/or produce useful products.

The portfolio may include such items as computer-generated material, photos, models, diagrams, designs, plans, explanations, reports and letters of support.  The portfolio must also include an explanation of the items submitted.

Note: New Zealand secondary school graduates who have English as an additional language (EAL) using NCEA to meet Unitec programmes general admission criteria may substitute the eight credits in English at NCEA level 2 (four in Reading and four in Writing) with an IELTS score (or equivalent). This IELTS score is the same as that required by the programme in which they wish to enrol. These students are still required to achieve a minimum of 42 NCEA credits at level 3 or higher and the Mathematics or Pangarau requirements.

 

 



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