Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Otago PolytechnicNew Zealand Certificate in Automotive 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
This qualification is designed for people who are wanting to begin a career in the automotive industry. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a work-ready, highly competent individual, all set to start your apprenticeship.
About the programmeLearn how to service general automotive systems. This qualification is designed for people who are beginning a career in the industry.
You will gain the generic and industry-specific skills you need to work in a range of roles in the automotive industry. Upon successful completion, you will graduate as a work-ready, highly competent individual who will be able to hit the ground running from day one.
There are two pathways for this programme: 1. In the industry - work as an apprentice and attend block courses and night classes to develop your knowledge of theory.
This option takes approximately 18 months to complete and requires an agreement between your employer and Otago Polytechnic. 2. Full-time study - you will study full-time at Otago Polytechnic, with theory classes and hands-on practical learning.
This option takes 12 months to complete. Alternatively, you can choose to engage in one of our managed apprenticeship programmes at Level 4 (New Zealand Certificate in Light Automotive Engineering, New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Electrical Engineering, or New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive). 16-24 years old?
If you are aged 16-24 and feel that school didn’t work out for you, you may be able to study this programme via our Youth Guarantee Scheme and pay no fees. This also applies if you are going to be 15 years old when this programme starts and you have an early exemption from school.
See more info in the Fees section below.
Entry criteria
Skills needed to work in this area The ability to work with tools and equipment Sound communication and people skills Alertness and adaptability Good hand-eye coordination Good memory Flexibility to change.
Academic requirements10 NCEA Level 1 literacy credits (reading and writing) and 10 NCEA Level 1 numeracy credits OR be able to demonstrate suitable knowledge and skills.
Domestic applicants aged 20 and above who do not meet the academic entry requirements, but who can demonstrate their skills, education and/or work experience, may be eligible for special admission.
International students will be individually assessed to ensure they have an acceptable level of secondary school achievement.
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 Academic IELTS 5.0 (general or academic, no band score lower than 5.0) achieved in one test completed in the last two years, 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.
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