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Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Life without electricity? It’s impossible to imagine. Today, electrical and electronic technology is everywhere - in telecommunications, security systems, and smart buildings. Find out what it can do with one of Unitec’s electrical or electronic engineering programmes.

Explore your options

Whether you're interested in becoming an electrician, or an electrical or electronic engineer, Unitec offers practical, industry aligned programmes that gear you up for the work place and so you'll be work ready even before you graduate.

Are you interested in electrical trades? Study the pre-trade training programme New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3) and you'll enjoy practical, guided, hands-on training. This programme is great preparation for an apprenticeship as an electrician or electrical engineer. You'll get a good grounding in electrical theory, learn and use the equipment you’ll use on the job and safe working techniques. You’ll spend lots of time in the workshops and labs too, in our purpose-built trades training building, Mataaho

If you're looking to focus on engineering, you can study in our internationally recognised diplomas or bachelor programmes. Here you can pathway into 3 areas; power, electronic or mechatronics.

  • In electrical engineering you’ll learn how to test circuits, repair faults, pre-wire electrical installations and connect electric motors and transformers.
  • Electronic engineering involves focusing on analogue, digital and computer electronics.
  • While mechatronics students work with world-class emulation equipment for industrial robotics, power generation, transmission and distribution.

Whatever you choose you’ll be supervised by our expert staff who have years of experience in electrical, electronics and computer engineering.

Programmes and study path

Start with a programme that suits your qualifications and/or experience, then progress to a level that achieves your goals.
PROGRAMME LEVEL DURATION CAREER OPTIONS START DATES
New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Pre-Trade (Level 3) 3 Full-time for 1 year, or part-time options available Apprentice electrician February or July
New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) 3 Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level. February or July
New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Engineering 4 Full-time for 16-weeks or part-time options available This programme prepares you for study toward a career in engineering February or July
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electrical) 6 Full-time for two years, or part-time options available Power systems engineer, Electrical engineer, Electrical services engineer, Electronics engineer, Computer engineer, Control systems engineer, Telecommunications engineer, Robotics/automation engineer February or July
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical) 7 Full-time for three years or part-time options available Electronics engineer, Electrical engineer, Electrical services engineer, Power systems engineer, Control systems engineer, Robotics/automation engineer February or July

Short courses

Start with a short course that suits your qualifications and/or experience, then progress to a level that achieves your goals.
Short courses   Description
Electrician Stage Three Practical Assessment   Completion of this assessment only course is for those who require Stage Three assessing.
Electrician Stage One and Two Practical Assessment   Completion of this assessment only course is for those who require Stage One and Stage Two assessing.
EWRB Practicing License   This course is for those who wish to renew their practising license and are EWRB registered.
Electrical Service Technician (EST)   This course includes practical skills assessment required for Electrical Service Technician (EST) Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) registration. In addition, the course includes safety training (an approved First aid course)...
Limited Certificate Training License   This one week short course covers the EWRB safety training requirements which includes tuition in safe working practices, testing (to ensure safety), CPR, and basic first aid.
Electrician's Theory Refresher   This 5 day short course will help you prepare to sit the Electrical Workers’ Registration Board (EWRB) Electricians AC Theory examination.
Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (EAS)   This course includes practical skills assessment required for Electrical Appliance Serviceperson (EAS) Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) class of registration. Candidates can opt for a EAS or EAS endorsed to...
Electrician's Regulations Refresher Course   This 5-day short course is for those people preparing to sit the Electrical Workers’ Registration Board (EWRB) Electricians Regulations examination. The course consolidates prior regulatory knowledge, overviews examination techniques, and covers...

Apprenticeships

Find out how Unitec can help you into an Electrical Apprenticeship.

Māori and Pacific scholarships

If you are Māori or Pacific, aged 16 to 40, and you're interested in pre-trades training to become an electrician, you could get your fees free with the Māori and Pacific Trades Training scholarships. This covers your full tuition fees for selected trades programmes including the New Zealand Certificate in Electrical Engineering.