Canterbury Engineering

Engineering at Canterbury University

UC's College of Engineering has earned an international reputation for its research, which is fostered through exchange programmes, ties with industry and the University's many research centres. Study within the College of Engineering balances first-class theoretical education with challenging practical work and hands-on industry experience. The College of Engineering offers several different study options in the fields of Engineering, Forestry Science, Computer Science, and Mathematics and Statistics. Our goals are outlined in our College of Engineering mission statement.

How is an engineering undergraduate degree structured?

At the University of Canterbury the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (BE (Hons)) degree involves four years of study; an Intermediate Year followed by three Professional years. Along with classroom work, you'll be doing laboratory work and going on field trips, as well as completing the non-academic requirements such as workshop training, practical work and first aid.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree structure

Engineering Intermediate Year

The first year of the enginering degree at UC is called the Intermediate Year and is open to all students with University Entrance. The courses you take as part of your Intermediate Year depend on the type of engineering you intend to study. There are several options - both for students who know the type of engineering they wish to study, and for those that are not certain. 

Entry to the First Professional Year is normally based on performance in Intermediate Year courses and is limited. You are guaranteed entry into the First Professional Year in the specialisation of your choice if you achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.00 or greater (a 'B' average) in an approved Engineering Intermediate Year in one year of study and you apply by the closing date.

If you do not achieve a GPA of 5.00 or greater but you still successfully complete an approved Engineering Intermediate Year and apply by the closing date, your application for the First Professional Year will be ranked according to your Intermediate Year GPA, and remaining places will be assigned accordingly.

Three Professional Years

The First and Second Professional Years consist of compulsory courses which provide you with a wide, basic knowledge of your chosen specialisation.

Each course consists mainly of lectures, but also include laboratory and field classes. Laboratories allow you hands-on practical application in manipulating and controlling real systems; skill development in measurement, observation and evaluation; and provide the opportunity to study problems that are not amenable to theory. Also the written laboratory reports enable you to develop your ability to express yourself and to communicate with others, abilities that are increasingly important to engineers in modern society.

The Third Professional Year offers the most flexibility. You can take courses from the pool of elective 3rd Pro courses, from courses inside and outside your chosen Department, or from advanced postgraduate courses.

With many degree fields you can specialise or generalise by choosing either a narrow or a wide range of subjects. In the final undergraduate year project and field work often replace the formal laboratory periods, allowing for a more independent investigation into a topic. Here you learn to identify and define a problem and research existing relevant knowledge. Projects can include an oral presentation, poster presentation and submission of a written report.

Engineering Programmes

We offer eight specialisations in the BE(Hons) degree:

• Chemical and Process
• Civil
• Computer
• Electrical and Electronic
• Forest
• Mechanical
• Mechatronics
• Natural Resources

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