Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop advanced technical knowledge in highway design, construction and maintenance.

• Learn to plan, design, manage, budget and evaluate highway engineering projects.

• Gain knowledge of road materials, road construction, road maintenance and traffic engineering.

• Develop practical understanding of surveying, geometric road design, drainage design and pavement design.

• Build project and contract management capabilities relevant to highway engineering.

• Learn to assess technical and economic options and apply engineering standards and professional practices.

• The programme is designed to help graduates from engineering and related backgrounds develop specialist highway-engineering knowledge.

• WITT lists potential Post Study Work Visa eligibility for graduates, subject to Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The WITT programme brochure identifies the following courses:

- GEH7.301 – Wearing Surface Technology

• Road-surface materials and material requirements.

• Construction technology.

• Design of sprayed seals.

• Asphaltic concrete mixes.

- GEH7.312 – Highway Engineering Fundamentals

• Road materials.

• Road construction practices.

• Road maintenance techniques.

• Road asset management.

• Road maintenance management.

- GEH6.203 – Traffic Engineering

• Traffic engineering concepts.

• Traffic engineering fundamentals.

- GEH6.208 – Land Surveying for Engineers

• Surveying theory and concepts in an engineering context.

• Practical surveying skills.

- GEH6.309 – Contract Management

• Contract administration.

• Engineering project management.

• Effective management of engineering contracts and projects.

- GEH7.341 – Geometric Design

• Road geometry.

• Safe and functional road alignment.

• Aesthetic considerations in road design.

• Application of current codes of practice.

- GEH7.351 – Drainage Design

• Highway drainage systems.

• Surface drainage design.

• Sub-soil drainage design for urban and rural roads.

- GEH7.361 – Pavement Design

• Pavement design fundamentals.

• Pavement rehabilitation design.

• Design of new pavements.

• Rehabilitation project design.

• Relevant codes of conduct.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The programme focuses on highway engineering and related civil-engineering areas, including:

• Highway design and construction.

• Road materials and wearing-surface technology.

• Traffic engineering.

• Land surveying for engineers.

• Road asset management.

• Road maintenance and rehabilitation.

• Geometric road design.

• Highway drainage design.

• Pavement design.

• Engineering contract and project management.

Programme Highlights

• NZQA-recognised Level 7 Graduate Diploma.

• 120-credit qualification.

• One-year full-time study.

• Specialist focus on highway design, construction and maintenance.

• Coverage of road materials, pavement design, drainage design and traffic engineering.

• Practical surveying and engineering project-management content.

• Development of technical, management, budgeting and professional communication skills.

• Potential pathway towards higher professional or managerial qualifications.

• WITT lists the programme as eligible for a Post Study Work Visa of up to one year under the new eligibility criteria, subject to Immigration New Zealand's rules.

Career Outcomes

According to NZQA's qualification profile, graduates may be prepared for employment or further education in areas such as:

• Road design.

• Road construction.

• Road maintenance and rehabilitation.

• Highway engineering project management.

• Local government engineering and infrastructure activities.

• Road asset management.

• Highway construction planning and supervision.

• Engineering contract administration.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• WITT's current programme page lists the 19 July 2027 intake.

• The programme brochure was last updated on 22 September 2026.

• The brochure specifies compulsory induction from 12 July 2027 for the July intake.

• Applicants must provide their own laptop.

• The programme's mathematical knowledge requirement is assessed by the Programme Manager with academic staff advice.

• WITT lists a potential Post Study Work Visa pathway for eligible graduates.

• The brochure's February 2027 reference conflicts with the current programme page, which lists only July 2027. Applicants should confirm whether a February intake will run.

• International fees may increase in a new academic year. Any increase must be paid before enrolment and attendance.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this one-year full-time programme in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to meeting Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Current Fee Paying Student Visa information:

• Application fee: From NZD 850.

• Processing time: 80% of applications within seven weeks, according to the current Immigration New Zealand page.

• Maximum visa duration: Up to four years, depending on the circumstances and period of study paid for.

• Study: Must be full-time in the approved programme.

• Tuition: Applicants must have an offer of place from an approved education provider and show that they have paid, or can pay, the required tuition fees.

• Living funds: For tertiary study of one year or longer, applicants must show NZD 20,000 for each year of study, or an acceptable sponsorship arrangement.

• Insurance: Applicants must have acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period required by their visa and provider.

• Health and character: Applicants must meet Immigration New Zealand's health and character requirements.

• Genuine study intentions: Applicants must demonstrate that they genuinely intend to study and comply with visa conditions.

• Outward travel: Applicants must show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.

• Work rights: Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study and full-time during scheduled holidays, depending on the conditions printed on their individual visa.

• Application timing: Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel.

Post Study Work Visa (PSWV) – important 2026 rule change:

• WITT lists the Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Highways) as eligible for an open Post Study Work Visa of up to one year under the new eligibility criteria.

• Immigration New Zealand announced that from 16 November 2026, graduates who complete an NZQCF Level 7 Graduate Diploma may qualify if they studied full-time in New Zealand for the full duration of the qualification, were enrolled for the full duration without cross-crediting or recognition of prior learning, and hold a bachelor's degree completed in New Zealand or overseas.

• The qualification's highway-engineering focus is included in Immigration New Zealand's eligible qualification list.

• Applicants must still meet the other PSWV requirements, including application timing, financial and character requirements.

• The visa is not automatic upon graduation; Immigration New Zealand makes the final decision.