Programme overview
Does a career in telecommunications or electronics sound like you? The Electronic pathway in the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering is your entry into computer programming, microcontrollers, and learning about electronic circuits and their applications. As a graduate of this programme, you’ll be able to gain employment as engineering technician in the electronics field.
This programme now also prepares you to sit the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) theory and regulations exam for the Electrical Service Technician (EST) class of registration. This registration allows you to work independently as registered electrical worker and improve your employability in your field. Read more about the EWRB exam below.
Graduates from the NZ Diploma in Engineering - Electronic will be able to:
- Apply engineering theory to practice working within well-defined engineering problems relevant to their specialist field of electronic engineering
- Use your new engineering knowledge to make informed problem-solving decisions in electronic engineering and implement these decisions
- Identify, evaluate and manage risks within well-defined engineering problems relevant to the field of electronic engineering
- Sit the certification exam with the EWRB and gain your Electrical Engineer registration
Highlights
- This programme is a nationally developed and internationally recognised engineering qualification.
- Work towards your EST registration and be able to work independently as registered electrical worker
- Option to work towards your CCNA exam with CISCO and be recognised as a qualified Network Engineer/Technician (pending minimum numbers) see more info below
- Small classes: the average class size is just 35 students
- Can serve as a pathway into graduate engineering qualifications
- Focus on real-world learning: observe the day-to-day activities of engineering sites, and take part in lab work, workshops and debates
- Visiting industry experts will give you a real feel for the career opportunities available in electronic engineering
Qualification pathway
Once you've successfully completed this programme pathway you'll receive the qualification New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electronic).
This programme can cross-credit into the Bachelor programmes Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Electrical) with an Electronics specialisation.
You may gain your EST Registration from the EWRB with successful completion of the EST theory and regulations exam, and with on-job practical experience component (currently 18 month). Read more about the EST Registration below
EST Registration
Cisco certification
Admission requirements
For this programme, you will need the following:
1. Be at least 16 years old when you start this programme:
2. A total of NCEA level 2 including a minimum of:
- 10 literacy credits at level 1 or higher (for those who achieved NCEA Level 2 before 2013); and
- 48 NCEA credits at level 2 in four subjects, including at least 12 credits in Mathematics (preferably achievement standards in algebra, calculus or trigonometry);
2. If English is not your first language, you will need one or more of the following:
- Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance
- Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
- Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years
Don’t have NCEA? We also accept:
- An equivalent qualification; or
- Equivalent credits from appropriate trades training and/or demonstrated skills and experience; or
- Provide sufficient evidence to be eligible for special or discretionary admission
For more information download the programme regulations:
Courses and timetables
Course Information
Compulsory courses |
||
Level |
Class no. |
Course name |
4 |
DE4101 |
Engineering Fundamentals |
4 |
DE 4102 |
Engineering Mathematics 1 |
4 |
DE4103 |
Technical Literacy |
4 |
DE4401 |
Electrical Principles |
4 |
DE4402 |
Electrical Electronic Applications |
5 |
DE5403 |
Electronic Principles |
5 |
DE5405 |
Computer Programming 1 |
5 |
DE5408 |
Introduction to Networks |
5 |
DE5414 |
Electronic Manufacturing 1 |
6 |
DE6102 |
Engineering Project |
6 |
DE6101 |
Eng Management |
6 |
DE6412 |
Computer Programming 2 |
Elective courses for the Electronics specialisation* |
||
Level |
Class no. |
Course name |
5 |
DE5407 |
Electronics 1 |
5 |
DE5406 |
Microcontrollers 1 |
5 | DE5409 | PC Engineering |
5 | DE5410 | Routing and Switching Essentials |
6 |
DE6402 |
Electronics 2 |
6 |
DE6417 |
Microcontrollers 2 |
6 |
DE6408 |
Electronic Manufacturing 2 |
6 | DE6145 | Scaling Networks |
6 | DE6416 | Connecting Networks |
*Other specialisations not on offer.
Disclaimer
The 'Key Information for Students' below does not reflect any international student information.
Please take this information as a guideline only. For example, you will often see a difference between these tuition fees and our estimate above. This is because there are a number of variables, such as the specific courses chosen within a programme.
The national graduate outcomes information is for all tertiary New Zealand providers including Unitec. This information is provided by the New Zealand Government and is derived from a national database that links educational and income information.
The statistical results below are a summary for:
Key Information for Students

Entry requirements
Minimum requirementsDetailed requirements: See the above "Admission requirements" section for more information about entry to this progrogramme.
Duration
Tuition Fees |
Annual |
Total Qualification |
Student fees: | N/A |
N/A |
Government tuition subsidy: | N/A |
N/A |
Total: | N/A |
N/A |
Compulsory Student Services Fee
Student loan information available at StudyLink.
Student Success
National graduate outcomes
(3 years after completion) | |
Median earnings | $53,980 |
Earnings range | $44,162 - $68,197 |
In employment | 61% |
In further study | 37% |
On a benefit | 1% |
Note:All KIS information is the most recent available relating to domestic students only. Click here for more information about the Key Information for Students.