Why Study / Key Benefits

• The programme responds to the building industry's need for professionals with stronger technical expertise and multidisciplinary building-design capability.
• It focuses on whole-building performance, collaborative design, integrated design and digital methods.
• The programme has a practice-focused orientation and is particularly suitable for people already working in building design.
• Sustainability and affordability are central themes, with an emphasis on holistic and integrated building design.
• Students develop the ability to communicate complex design issues, options, solutions and risks to clients, project teams and other stakeholders.
• UC identifies knowledge areas including building costs and value, quality, aesthetics, resilience, regulatory requirements, built-environment systems and sustainability.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification contains four 15-point courses:

Compulsory courses:

• ENAE601 – Whole Building Behaviour and Performance, 15 points.
• ENAE602 – Collaborative Building Design Studio, 15 points.

Students then select two 15-point electives from the approved list:

• ENAE603 – Structural Design Practice.
• ENAE604 – Structural Assessment and Retrofit.
• ENAE605 – Sustainable Building Design Practice.
• ENAE606 – Building Modelling and Integrated Design.
• ENAE607 – Building Energy Systems Design Practice.
• ENAE608 – HVAC Design Practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements within the Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Engineering.

Students nevertheless have the opportunity to build an area of emphasis through their choice of two electives, including:

• Structural design.
• Structural assessment and retrofit.
• Sustainable building design.
• Building modelling and integrated design.
• Building energy systems.
• HVAC design.

Programme Highlights

• 60-point postgraduate qualification.
• 6 months full-time.
• Up to 2 years part-time.
• February and July starts.
• Two compulsory courses plus two electives.
• Flexible study options, including online learning.
• Practice-focused rather than purely theoretical.
• Strong emphasis on integrated and collaborative building design.
• Focus on sustainable, affordable and high-performance buildings.
• Digital building methods and integrated design are embedded in the curriculum.
• Potential progression to the Master of Architectural Engineering, Master of Engineering Studies or Master of Engineering Management.
• Students who complete the certificate with a B Grade Point Average or better can apply for these further qualifications, subject to the relevant admission requirements.

Career Outcomes

The qualification develops skills relevant to modern building-design and engineering environments.

UC identifies career relevance in areas including:

• Building design.
• Technical building design.
• Contractors and construction organisations.
• Project management.
• Multidisciplinary design teams.
• Technical leadership.
• Multidisciplinary team leadership.
• Sustainable building design.
• Digital design and construction.
• Building-performance analysis.
• Building systems and integrated design.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UC's current programme page continues to list the qualification for Semester 1 or 2, February or July.
• The current programme remains 60 points with a 6-month full-time duration or up to 2 years part-time.
• The current qualification regulations were issued by UC in 2024 and confirm the formal structure and admission framework.
• The programme requires approval of the individual programme of study by the Director of Architectural Engineering and the Executive Dean of Engineering or delegate.
• UC strongly recommends one year of professional practical experience, although the formal regulations make admission dependent on the relevance and standard of previous study and work experience rather than stating one year as an absolute universal requirement.
• The qualification may be awarded with Merit or Distinction under the current regulations.
• Students can apply to progress into the Master of Architectural Engineering and have their certificate credits transferred/subsumed, subject to approval.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the qualification physically in New Zealand, the usual visa route is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Genuine intentions to study.
• Evidence of onward/return travel or sufficient funds to purchase it.
• Any required health and character documentation.