Why Study Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours at the University of Waikato is a four-year professional engineering degree designed to develop strong technical, mathematical, design and problem-solving skills. The programme combines classroom learning with practical engineering projects and substantial industry experience, making it suitable for students who want to enter professional engineering careers in New Zealand or internationally. The degree is internationally accredited through Engineering New Zealand under the Washington Accord, providing international recognition of the qualification.

• Level of study: Bachelor's Degree – BE(Hons)
• Duration: 4 years
• Total credit requirement: 480 points
• Main campuses: Hamilton and Tauranga
• Mode of learning: Primarily on-campus/in-person, with practical laboratory, design and industry-based learning. It is not presented as a fully online degree.
• Intakes: March (Trimester A) and July (Trimester B)
• Work-integrated learning: 800 hours of relevant engineering work experience, generally arranged with support from the University's Work Placement Team.

Key Benefits

• Internationally accredited engineering qualification under the Washington Accord.
• Eight engineering disciplines are available, allowing students to select an area aligned with their interests and career goals.
• Students have opportunities to experience different engineering disciplines before committing to their preferred programme.
• Practical engineering design and project-based learning are integrated throughout the degree.
• 800 hours of relevant industrial/work experience are required as part of the degree.
• Industry placements can provide valuable professional contacts and may lead to graduate employment.
• Students can participate in the Waikato Engineering Design Show to present engineering projects and innovations.
• Access to specialised engineering laboratories, workshops, computer facilities and engineering design software.
• Students may progress to postgraduate study such as the Master of Engineering or Master of Engineering Practice after completing the degree.

Program Structure

The degree requires 480 points over four years. Students complete foundational engineering and mathematics subjects in the earlier stages, followed by specialised engineering papers, design work, work placements and an honours-level research/design project.

Typical programme components include:

• Year 1: Engineering mathematics and modelling, engineering computing, materials science, engineering mechanics, electricity, engineering and society, and foundations of engineering.
• Year 2: Advanced engineering mathematics, engineering/business topics, discipline-specific engineering subjects, design challenges and the first major work placement.
• Year 3: Advanced discipline subjects, engineering/environment topics, design projects and the second work-placement component.
• Year 4: Engineering and the profession, advanced design, programme electives and a 45-point Honours Research and Development Project.
• Students must complete at least 800 hours of relevant industrial experience.
• The exact papers vary according to the selected engineering discipline.

Discipline / Specialisation

Students can choose from eight specified engineering programmes:

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

Programme Highlights

• 480-point, four-year professional engineering qualification.
• Engineering programmes are accredited by Engineering New Zealand under the Washington Accord; Software Engineering also has dual accreditation through the Australian Computer Society/Seoul Accord.
• 800 hours of relevant industry experience are an integral part of the degree.
• The University has a dedicated Work Placement Team to help arrange and oversee engineering placements.
• The first year provides a broad engineering foundation, giving students flexibility when deciding on their discipline.
• Students undertake engineering design challenges and practical projects.
• The final year includes a substantial Honours Research and Development Project.
• Students can potentially combine the degree with a Graduate Diploma in Engineering Management, developing additional business, innovation and leadership skills.
• The 2027 University information confirms both March and July entry points.

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue professional engineering careers across a wide range of industries. Depending on their chosen discipline, potential career paths include:

• Chemical or process engineer
• Civil engineer
• Electrical and electronic engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Materials engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Mechatronics engineer
• Software engineer/developer
• Engineering consultant
• Design and project engineer
• Engineering roles in infrastructure, renewable energy, robotics and automation, aerospace, digitalisation, materials, water and environmental sectors

Visa Requirements (International Students)

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa to study this full-time undergraduate programme. Students should obtain an offer of place from the University before applying and demonstrate that they can meet tuition and living costs.

• The current Immigration New Zealand student-fund requirement is NZD $20,000 per year for tertiary study.
• Students must also demonstrate funds for outward travel or hold an appropriate travel ticket.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance is required for international students during their study period.
• Tuition fees must be paid or otherwise appropriately supported as required for the visa.
• Students from India and certain other South Asian countries may be asked to use the Funds Transfer Scheme depending on Immigration New Zealand requirements.
• The Fee Paying Student Visa can allow full-time study for the approved course, subject to visa conditions.
• International students should check the visa conditions applicable at the time of application because immigration requirements can change.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The University currently lists the programme as 480 points over four years, with March and July intakes.
• For international students, the latest published indicative tuition fee for 2027 is approximately NZD $50,762 per year for Years 1–3. The University's fee system is paper-based, so the actual amount depends on the papers enrolled in and the final fee schedule.
• Honours papers normally studied in Year 4 are charged at postgraduate fee rates, so the total cost of the fourth year may differ from the indicative Years 1–3 rate.
• The University lists the 2027 intake months as March and July.
• International students can apply for the Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship, which is available for Engineering and can provide up to NZD $15,000 towards tuition fees. A separate version is available specifically for eligible students from India.
• The scholarship is intended for talented international students entering the University for the first time and is assessed on academic achievement.
• Applicants should carefully check the discipline-specific mathematics, physics and/or chemistry requirements before applying, as engineering admission requirements differ by specialisation.
• The degree requires 800 hours of relevant industrial experience, making work-integrated learning a compulsory and important component rather than an optional internship.
• Tuition fees are indicative and can change; the University's final enrolment agreement confirms the actual fees payable.