Why Study / Key Benefits

• Develop practical skills in automotive collision repair and vehicle component handling.

• Gain experience using professional automotive repair tools, products and equipment.

• Learn how to assess minor vehicle damage and select suitable repair procedures.

• Understand automotive workshop health and safety requirements.

• Gain practical exposure through 50 hours of industry-related work experience.

• Study in a specialist automotive workshop with panel repair facilities, a paint spray room and a tint room.

• Obtain a nationally recognised New Zealand Level 3 qualification.

• Build a foundation for entry-level employment and further automotive training.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification consists of five main learning components, totalling 60 credits.

1. Health and Safety – 15 credits

• Understand automotive workshop health and safety requirements.

• Apply workplace policies, procedures and regulations.

• Develop safe and effective working practices in collision repair environments.

2. Assess for Appropriate Repair Procedures – 10 credits

• Identify and assess minor vehicle damage.

• Select suitable repair procedures.

• Understand the appropriate use of automotive repair tools, products and equipment.

3. Repair Minor Damage – 10 credits

• Learn fundamental vehicle damage repair techniques.

• Select and use appropriate repair materials and equipment.

• Perform basic repair tasks in an automotive collision repair environment.

4. Vehicle Interior, Exterior and Critical Components – 20 credits

• Remove and refit vehicle interior components.

• Remove and refit exterior vehicle components.

• Handle critical vehicle components appropriately.

• Store components according to company policies and manufacturer recommendations.

5. Work Experience – 5 credits

• Complete practical experience in an authentic collision repair environment.

• Apply workplace safety procedures.

• Demonstrate effective working practices and industry-related skills.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme falls under the following subject areas:

• Automotive Collision Repair.

• Automotive Body Repair.

• Vehicle Component Removal and Refitting.

• Minor Vehicle Damage Repair.

• Automotive Workshop Health and Safety.

• Automotive Repair Procedures.

Related industry areas and possible technical career directions include:

• Panel beating.

• Coachbuilding.

• Motor trimming.

• Chassis repair.

• Fabrication.

• Automotive refinishing.

• Vehicle realignment.

• Plastic repair.

Programme Highlights

• A practical Level 3 qualification designed for entry-level automotive collision repair careers.

• 60-credit programme completed in one semester.

• 50 hours of compulsory industry work experience.

• Approximately 19 hours of in-person classes per week.

• Approximately 12 hours of additional study per week.

• Specialist panel repair workshop facilities.

• Access to a paint spray room and tint room.

• Practical training in vehicle component removal, refitting and minor damage repair.

• NZQA-approved qualification delivered by UCOL.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue entry-level employment opportunities in the automotive collision repair industry.

Potential career roles and employment areas include:

• Collision repair component remover and refitter.

• Entry-level automotive collision repair technician.

• Panel beating industry roles.

• Coachbuilding.

• Motor trimming.

• Chassis repair.

• Automotive fabrication.

• Automotive refinishing.

• Vehicle realignment.

• Plastic repair.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Latest programme information:

• UCOL is advertising two 2027 intakes, beginning in February and July.

• The programme remains listed as a Level 3, 60-credit qualification.

• The current international tuition fee published for the programme is NZD $13,991 per semester.

• The qualification is approved by NZQA under the Education and Training Act 2020.

Important practical requirements:

• Students must complete 50 hours of work experience.

• Students participating in UCOL-directed work experience must successfully complete the required Health, Safety and Tools induction.

• Learners should be aware of the physical demands of working in an automotive environment.

• Students with special needs or requirements should advise the Academic Portfolio Manager in writing before the programme begins.

• Students may apply for recognition of prior learning, credit transfer or cross-credit assessment, subject to UCOL's assessment procedures.

Additional equipment costs:

• Steel-cap safety boots: Approximately NZD $150.

• Cotton, long-sleeved overalls: Approximately NZD $60.

• Estimated additional equipment expenditure: NZD $210.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students applying from India generally need a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this full-time programme.

The main requirements are:

1. Offer of Place

• Obtain an Offer of Place from UCOL.

• The offer must confirm the programme, duration, study mode and tuition fees.

• The education provider must be approved to enrol international students.

2. Tuition Fee Payment

• Demonstrate sufficient funds to pay the programme tuition fee.

• Provide evidence of tuition payment or an acceptable arrangement to pay.

• Students applying offshore may request Approval in Principle (AIP) before paying tuition fees.

3. Living Expenses

• For tertiary study lasting less than one year, Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $1,667 per month.

• For study lasting one year or longer, the requirement is NZD $20,000 per year.

• The tuition fee is additional to the living-cost requirement.

• Students must also demonstrate that they can afford onward or return travel.

4. Financial Evidence
Acceptable evidence may include:

• Recent bank statements.

• Fixed-term deposit certificates.

• Education loan sanction and disbursement documents.

• Scholarship award letters.

• Acceptable sponsorship or financial undertaking documents.

Immigration New Zealand may request evidence explaining the source of large deposits or other funds.

5. Medical and Travel Insurance

• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is compulsory.

• Insurance must cover the student's stay in New Zealand.

• UCOL automatically enrols international students in its preferred Studentsafe insurance unless they arrange their own acceptable insurance.

6. Health and Character Requirements

• Meet New Zealand's health requirements.

• Meet character requirements.

• Provide medical examinations, chest X-rays or police certificates if requested or required.

7. Genuine Student Requirements

• Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.

• Explain why the programme has been selected.

• Show that the course is appropriate to the student's academic background and future career plans.

• Demonstrate the English-language ability and academic capability required to complete the qualification.

8. Passport and Supporting Documents

• Valid passport.

• Recent acceptable photograph.

• Offer of Place.

• Academic documents and English-language evidence where applicable.

• Financial documents.

• Insurance arrangements.

• Certified English translations of relevant documents not originally in English.

Visa cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa application cost: From NZD $850.

• Published processing timeframe: 80% of applications within seven weeks.

• Recommended application timing: At least three months before intended travel.

These are Immigration New Zealand's published figures and can change depending on the applicant's circumstances and application location.

Student visa work rights:

• Eligible students may receive permission to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work during scheduled holidays depends on visa conditions and eligibility.

• This programme carries 60 credits, so students should not assume they qualify for full-time holiday work based on the 120-credit criterion published by Immigration New Zealand.

• The compulsory 50 hours of programme work experience is separate from permitted paid employment, provided it is an approved course requirement.