Top Courses for Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand: Top Universities, Skills and Job Roles
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Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand are in high demand because this job category falls into a shortage of skills in New Zealand. The government of New Zealand extends benefits for mechanical engineering degree holders from other countries to work in their country since more than NZD 50+ billion dollars have been invested solely for infrastructure development till 2025 starting from 2021 and the country lacks enough engineers with a certain level of expertise to give direction to these ongoing developments.
Students who attain a degree in mechanical engineering from New Zealand Universities are offered a post-study work visa which is valid for 3 years and can be extended if the applicant applies and waits for permanent residency. You can get more information at:
Mechanical Engineers Prospects in New Zealand Highlights
| Annual Vacancies for Mechanical Engineers |
150+ |
| Mechanical engineer's demand in sectors of |
Manufacturing / Construction / Agriculture |
| Basic Qualifications |
Diploma or BE in Engineering |
| Tertiary Training Requirements |
NCEA Level 3 |
| Average Starting Salary |
NZD 70,200 annually |
| Average Hourly Pay |
NZD 30 |
| Top Courses for Mechanical Engineers in NZ |
Diploma / UG / PG / PG Diploma / PhD |
| Mechanical Engineers Required |
In Auckland and Canterbury |
| Jobs Open for |
Both domestic & international mechanical engineers |
Read: New Zealand Student Visa Guide
Top Courses for Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand
Here are a few of the best courses after undergraduation in mechanical engineering from New Zealand:
Check: Cost of Studying in New Zealand
Top Universities for Mechanical Engineering in New Zealand
There are just 5 universities in New Zealand that offer courses in Mechanical Engineering, their rankings are as follows:
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| Mechanical Engineering in NZ |
Ranking by Subject 2021 - QS (Mechanical Engineering) |
Courses Offered in Mechanical Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| #119 |
PG Diploma / UG / PG / Doctoral |
|
| 301-350 |
UG / PG / Doctoral |
|
| 451-500 |
UG |
|
| 451-500 |
UG / PG |
Thus, out of 5 universities in New Zealand that offer Mechanical Engineering courses, only 4 are ranked and recognized by QS Subject - 2021 Rankings for Mechanical Engineering. Moreover, some universities only offer UG courses or both UG and PG courses while some also offer a diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
Read more: Cost of Living at New Zealand for International Students
Mechanical Engineering Skill Shortage in New Zealand
Reason why mechanical engineering jobs fall into skill shortages in New Zealand is due to the following:
- As per the Government of New Zealand’s budget for 2021, NZD 4 billion has been invested only for infrastructure which would include roads, public transport, hospitals, etc.
- The New Zealand Government is also focused on rebuilding Canterbury's infrastructure after the 2010 earthquakes.
- Investment to run and maintain industries related to growth, especially dairy industries.
- Since Auckland is a major attraction for students and hence a major chunk of the GDP comes from here, thus, this is also on the list for a high level of development.
- Mechanical engineers are required not just for New Zealand’s development but also for its industries in the agricultural and construction sectors.
Skills or Knowledge Required for Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand for Jobs
The following skills are required by mechanical engineers to get a job in New Zealand based on their experience or training that is between 3-4 years:
- Mechanical processes knowledge
- Knowledge in subjects of physics, electronics, and thermodynamics
- Knowledge of gases
- Knowledge about New Zealand’s or commonly proposed safety regulations and quality standards
- Mathematical modeling skills
- Knowledge of legislations like the Resource Management Act, the New Zealand Building Code, local by-laws or town planning regulations as well.
- Computer skills - CAD software
- Communication skills for presenting and writing reports
In terms of experience, mechanical engineers must have knowledge of working with machines, know about electric or electronic related working, the experience of understanding the typical working of a factory or industrial unit, must know technical drawing or even have the understanding of working with tools.
Explore popular universities
Read: Part-time work options in New Zealand for international students
Top Jobs for Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand
Mechanical engineers in New Zealand are paid as per their areas of expertise and specialization undertaken at the UG or PG level. As per the trends,
- Mechanical engineers with 1 year’s experience earn between NZD 50,000 - NZD 56,000 annually.
- While 2-5 years of experience holding mechanical engineers are entitled to earn between NZD 57,000 - NZD 77,000.
- Managerial level positions held by mechanical engineers earn around NZD 110,000 - NZD 180,000 per year.
The following are the top job roles held by mechanical engineers in New Zealand along with their corresponding annual average salaries and hourly salary:
| Mechanical Engineer - Job Roles |
Average Hourly Pay |
Average Salary (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Engineer |
NZD 52 |
NZD 107,176 |
| Bio-engineer |
NZD 82 |
NZD 120,450 |
| Energy Engineer |
NZD 45 |
NZD 92,400 |
| Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning Engineer |
NZD 50 |
NZD 78,000 |
| Manufacturing Engineer |
NZD 27.10 |
NZD 65,487 |
| Rail Engineer |
NZD 28 |
NZD 134,000 |
| Robotics Engineer |
NZD 62 |
NZD 128,806 |
| Aeronautical Engineer |
NZD 67 |
NZD 139,822 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technician |
NZD 39 |
NZD 80,991 |
| Electronics Engineer |
NZD 61 |
NZD 127,592 |
| Biomedical Engineer |
NZD 58 |
NZD 120,457 |
The employers for mechanical engineers in New Zealand are mostly in private sector companies or those relating to consultancies. Following are sectors where maximum mechanical engineers are recruited in New Zealand:
- Manufacturing
- Building / Construction / Building services
- Product development
- Aviation / Boat building / Transport
- Agriculture
- Water and Wastewater management
- Energy
Check: Popular Job Sectors in New Zealand
Mechanical Engineers in New Zealand are in high demand and hence, those with valid experience can apply for a job in New Zealand as the chances of getting a job are very high in New Zealand for Mechanical Engineers. The minimum experience is 3-4 years and the starting salary is NZD 50,000 which can go up to NZD 180,000 if one reaches manager-level positions.
Q: Â Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.
Q: Â What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?
According to various unofficial sources, Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60%. The acceptance rate indicated that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. So, to get into the university, make sure to have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements such as having 12 years of schooling and minimum percentage for admission to bachelor’s courses. For admission to postgraduate courses, a relevant degree is required with the minimum grade.
Q: Â How much funds are needed for a New Zealand study visa?
International students need to show sufficient funds for getting a New Zealand student visa. Students need to show NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month for getting a New Zealand study visa.
Cost of New Zealand Student Visa Application
- New Zealand Visa Cost: Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay a base Visa fee of NZD 375 which is INR 19,200 (approximately).
- Candidates who are applying for their Student Visa online from New Delhi are required to pay NZD 430 which is INR 22,000 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
- Those applying for a student visa in New Zealand on paper (offline mode) should note that the immigration costs would be INR 22,600, in addition to this students are required to pay a receiving Centre fee of INR 1,520.
Q: Â Which course is better, Master in Management or Master in Project Management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand?
The University of Auckland offers the best UG and PG programs for international students at an affordable tuition fees. Auckland Unversity Master in Project Management is slightly better than the Master in Management because of its tuition fees for first year. Mentioned below is the tuition fees for first-year for international students:
| Program | First Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| Master in Project Management | INR 25.11 L |
| Master in Management | INR 26.11 L |
Q: Â What is the cost of studying in New Zealand?
The tuition fees that a student would need to pay will depend on the type of qualification and the university they are looking at to pursue their education. While courses such as humanities, education, and arts are likely to cost less pursuing subjects such as medicine and engineering costs on the higher side.
The below table sheds light on the tuition fee charged level-wise in New Zealand from international students applying to their universities:
Study Program Level | Annual Costs in NZD |
|---|---|
Diploma or Certificate courses | NZD 23,000 - NZD 47,000 |
English Language courses | NZD 350 (per week) |
Undergraduate degree | NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000 |
Master's degree | NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000 |
Doctoral degree | NZD 6,500 - NZD 9,000 |
Q: Â Is living in New Zealand expensive?
The cost of living does not includes only the tuition fee but also other expenses like textbooks, NON-tuition fee, accommodation cost and other personal expenses. The moment a student lands in New Zealand, they need to pay $35 international visitor and tourism conservation levy. The living cost can vary as per the accommodation option, location and personal spending habits.
In addition to your tuition and insurance fees, you will need between $20,000 and $25,000 per year ($380–480 per week) for accommodation/rent, food expenses, transportation costs, phone bills, internet usage and entertainment.
Q: Â How much will it cost to study in New Zealand?
The cost of study in New Zealand for international students will vary from student to student. The cost of living will depend on many factors such as lifestyle, type of course and accommodation. Here we have given a breakdown of cost of living in New Zealand for international students.
Tuition Fees
Level of Study | Estimated Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
Diplomas/Certificates | NZD 23,376 to NZD 46,752 |
Bachelor’s Degree | NZD 20,000 to NZD 40,000 |
Postgraduate Degree | NZD 20,000 to NZD 45,000 |
PhDs | NZD 6,500 to NZD 7,500 |
Living Expenses
Type of Expenses | Cost |
|---|---|
Accommodation | NZD 140 – NZD 484 (per week) |
Entertainment | NZD 55 (per week) |
Food | NZD 80 – NZD 120 (per week) |
Electricity | NZD 200 – NZD 300 (per month) |
Transportation | NZD 37 (per week) |
Phone | NZD 19 (per month) |
Internet | NZD 90 (per month) |
Q: Â Is New Zealand good for international students to study?
New Zealand is one of the top destinations for international students going abroad for higher education. All of eight universities in New Zealand are ranked among the top 3% universities in the world. New Zealand education sets up students with a globally recognised qualification and real-world skills. Each year thousands of students from India apply for various universities in the New Zealand. As per Govt. of India, there are more than 2,500 Indian students that went to study in 2022 in various universities in New Zealand.
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