Engineering Qualifications Framework

Qualification pathways for engineering careers

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There are numerous levels of engineering qualifications available.

National Certificates (Levels 2-5)
National Diplomas (Level 6)
Three year degree (BEngTech) (Level 7)
Four year degree (BE) (Level 8)
Masters (Level 9)

National certificates are often managed by ITOs for people in the workplace. They are also delivered by Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics.

There are three international engineering conventions, the Washington Accord (for four year degrees) the Sydney Accord (for three year degrees) and the Dublin Accord (for two year diplomas).

The Dublin Accord describes the attributes and professional competency profiles expected from someone holding the NZDE qualification.

Profession Level

Professions are split into the following qualification groups:

NZQF Level 2 - 5
NZQF Level 6
NZQF Level 7 - 8

Acoustics Engineer
Automation Engineer
Automotive Electrician
Automotive Mechanic
Building Services Engineer
CAD Draftsperson
Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineering Technician
Construction Engineer
Contract Manager
Corrosion Engineer
Design Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electrical Engineering Technician
Electrician
Electronics Engineer
Electronics Technician
Electronics Trades Worker
Embedded Systems Designer
Engineering Machinist
Engineering Manager
Environmental Engineer
Fabrication Engineer
Fabrication Engineer
Food Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Geothermal Reservoir Engineer
Line Mechanic
Machine Operator
Mathematical Modeller
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Metal Worker
Network Engineer
Operations Engineer
Power Systems Engineer
Process Engineer
Process Technician
Product Development Engineer
Production Engineer
Project Manager
Roading Engineer
Site Engineer
Structural Engineer
Software Developer/Engineer
Systems Engineer
Technical Product Specialist
Telecommunications Engineer
Telecommunications Technician

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Secondary School Requirements

Year 11

NCEA Level 1 credits, generally including English, Maths, Science and Technology subjects

Year 12

48 credits at NCEA Level 2, generally including 12 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

42-60 credits at NCEA Level 3 and/or UE, including 14 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

University Entrance, generally including 16-18 Level 3 credits in each of Physics and Calculus (and Chemistry for some specialisations)

Technology subjects highly recommended

Tertiary School Requirements

NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IN ENGINEERING

Electrical, Fabrication, Mechanical, Telecommunications Engineering

NZQF Level 2-5:

Generally three to four years of work-based assessment and some coursework

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING (NZDE)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two years of full-time study or cadetship

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE (NZDEP)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two to four years of work-based assessment

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY [BEngTech]

Civil, Computer + Mobile Systems, Electrical + Electronic, Mechanical, Network + Communications Engineering

NZQF Level 7:

Three years of full-time study

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING [BE OR BE(HONS)]

Biological, Chemical + Process, Civil, Computer Systems, Electrical, Electronic, Environmental, Forest, Mechanical, Mechatronic, Natural Resources, Network + Communications, Product Development, Software Engineering

NZQF Level 8:

Four years of full-time study

Secondary School Requirements

Year 11

NCEA Level 1 credits, generally including English, Maths, Science and Technology subjects

Year 12

48 credits at NCEA Level 2, generally including 12 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

42-60 credits at NCEA Level 3 and/or UE, including 14 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

University Entrance, generally including 16-18 Level 3 credits in each of Physics and Calculus (and Chemistry for some specialisations)

Technology subjects highly recommended

Tertiary School Requirements

NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IN ENGINEERING

Electrical, Fabrication, Mechanical, Telecommunications Engineering

NZQF Level 2-5:

Generally three to four years of work-based assessment and some coursework

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING (NZDE)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two years of full-time study or cadetship

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE (NZDEP)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two to four years of work-based assessment

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY [BEngTech]

Civil, Computer + Mobile Systems, Electrical + Electronic, Mechanical, Network + Communications Engineering

NZQF Level 7:

Three years of full-time study

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING [BE OR BE(HONS)]

NZQF Level 8:

Four years of full-time study

Secondary School Requirements

Year 11

NCEA Level 1 credits, generally including English, Maths, Science and Technology subjects

Year 12

48 credits at NCEA Level 2, generally including 12 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

42-60 credits at NCEA Level 3 and/or UE, including 14 credits in each of Maths and Physics; Technology subjects highly recommended

Year 13

University Entrance, generally including 16-18 Level 3 credits in each of Physics and Calculus (and Chemistry for some specialisations)

Technology subjects highly recommended

Tertiary School Requirements

NATIONAL CERTIFICATES IN ENGINEERING

Electrical, Fabrication, Mechanical, Telecommunications Engineering

NZQF Level 2-5:

Generally three to four years of work-based assessment and some coursework

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING (NZDE)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two years of full-time study or cadetship

NZ DIPLOMA IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE (NZDEP)

Civil, Electrical, Mechanical

NZQF Level 6:

Two to four years of work-based assessment

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY [BEngTech]

Civil, Computer + Mobile Systems, Electrical + Electronic, Mechanical, Network + Communications Engineering

NZQF Level 7:

Three years of full-time study

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING [BE OR BE(HONS)]

NZQF Level 8:

Four years of full-time study