Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago PolytechnicNew Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 3)
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Certificate
Duration
1 year
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Campus
Dunedin Campus
Summary
Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools. This hands-on qualification is designed for people already working in industry, or for people who would like to complete a pre-trade qualification before entering the workforce.
About the programmeAre you a practical kind of person who enjoys making things work? Or perhaps you are seeking an engineering apprenticeship?
This is the programme for you, and is the perfect qualification for those wishing to enter the engineering trades. Mechanical Engineering involves the design, manufacture and maintenance of machinery, equipment and tools, and roles may include a Building Installation, CNC Machine Operator, Fitter/Turner, Fitter/Welder, Machine Operator, Maintenance Engineer, Metalworker/Fabricator, Mining, Specialist Production Welder or a Toolmaker.
The industry has experienced significant growth over recent years due to developments in engineering processes. There are numerous employment opportunities in areas such as toolmaking, fitting and machining, and trades associated with the heavy and light fabrication industries.
With a responsible attitude, you may even step up into project management. This hands-on, pre-apprenticeship programme will give you ample opportunity to work within our workshops and to gain valuable off-site work experience.
Upon completion, you will have achieved the academic requirements of the first year of an industry apprenticeship. This may reduce the time for you to complete out in industry down to two years.
A rotary table in our workshop. Photo courtesy of Mechanical Engineering student, Sophie Fox.
Entry criteria
Skills needed for working in this area Practical thinking Analytical and problem-solving skills Good computer skills Planning and organisational ability Excellent communication skills.
Academic requirementsNCEA Level 1 with 10 credits in Numeracy (algebra, trigonometry, measurement recommended) and 10 credits in Literacy, OR Equivalent knowledge and skills, OR Successful completion of engineering literacy and numeracy assessment for domestic students where English is not your first language.
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant under 20 who does not meet the academic entry requirements may be granted entry to the programme where they supply evidence of their ability to succeed on the programme.
International students will be individually assessed to ensure they are ready for this study.
International requirements and equivalenceTo enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.
English Language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must provide: New Zealand University Entrance OR Overall IELTS 5.0 (general or academic, no band score lower than 5.0) achieved in one test completed in the last two years, OR Completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Level 3) with an endorsement of either general, workplace or academic, OR Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process.
You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe.
Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Disclaimer
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Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.