Why Study / Key Benefits

• Combines professional engineering education with management, business, innovation and leadership skills.
• Designed to help engineering graduates progress towards management and leadership positions.
• Includes 800 hours of relevant engineering work experience across two points-bearing placement papers.
• The University's Work-Integrated Learning team helps seek and oversee the work placement and supports students during their workplace experience.
• Students graduate with practical engineering experience that can strengthen their employability.
• Management papers are delivered through the Waikato Management School, giving engineering students exposure to business and organisational perspectives.
• Develops skills in strategic management, teamwork, leadership, innovation, sustainability, professional communication and workplace decision-making.
• The programme can be completed alongside the BE(Hons), allowing the combined engineering degree and Graduate Diploma pathway to be completed within four years.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme combines engineering/business preparation, professional engineering, two work placements and 60 points of management/business electives.

Compulsory components include:

• ENGEN270 – Engineering and Business, 15 points
• ENGEN372 – Engineering Work Placement 2, 30 points
• ENGEN570 – Engineering and the Profession, 15 points
• 60 points from the approved elective list

ENGEN270 focuses on becoming business-savvy and applying engineering knowledge to real-world problems. Topics include:

• Team formation
• Design thinking
• Lean Canvas
• Project management
• Agile
• Risk management
• Project finance
• Professional ethics
• Workplace preparation
• Business culture

ENGEN570 – Engineering and the Profession is a 15-point Level 500 paper covering:

• Project management
• Leadership
• Negotiation
• Ethical responsibilities
• Legal duties
• Treaty of Waitangi
• Intellectual property
• Professional communication

The approved 60-point Graduate Diploma elective list is:

• ENGEN272 – Engineering Work Placement 1
• EXMBM511 – Communication and Collaboration in Organisations
• EXMBM512 – Leadership and Change Management
• EXMBM513 – Sustainability and Responsible Management
• EXMBM514 – Economics and the Global Context
• EXMBM521 – Strategic Management and Decision Making
• EXMBM522 – Marketing Strategy
• EXMBM523 – Digital Business and Supply Chain Management
• EXMBM532 – Managing Innovation and Value Creation 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The GradDipEM does not have separately named specialisations.

It is designed to complement the University of Waikato BE(Hons). The School of Engineering's current engineering disciplines include:

• Chemical and Process Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Software Engineering

Programme Highlights

• 120-point Level 7 Graduate Diploma.
• Hamilton-based engineering programme.
• Designed specifically for BE(Hons) students and graduates.
• Can be integrated with the four-year BE(Hons) pathway.
• 30 points are cross-credited in the combined pathway.
• 800 hours of relevant engineering work experience.
• Two points-bearing work-placement papers form part of the programme structure.
• Work-Integrated Learning support is provided for placement arrangements.
• Includes Level 500 management papers.
• Management teaching is supported by Waikato Management School.
• Covers leadership, innovation, sustainability, strategic decision-making and business.
• Develops professional engineering, workplace and management capabilities.

Career Outcomes

The University identifies the following career opportunities:

• Chief Engineer
• Chief Technology/Information Officer
• Project Manager
• Team Leader
• Technical/Engineering Lead

The programme's graduate outcomes also emphasise the ability to:

• Evaluate business models, innovation and sustainability in engineering workplaces.
• Understand how teamwork, organisational culture and leadership affect workplaces.
• Apply strategic management approaches.
• Understand the responsibilities of a professional engineer.
• Understand engineering workplace health and safety responsibilities.
• Apply engineering knowledge and skills in authentic professional settings. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the GradDipEM in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of an applicable scholarship.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to study in New Zealand.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Hold acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.