Study to become a Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5)
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Duration and study methods
14 weeks full-time
Includes online learning, Training Record Book (TRB) and 5 weeks in-class learning (including 2 weeks for the STCW Basic courses).
The maximum time to complete this programme is five (5) years as mandated by Maritime NZ and International Maritime Organisation.
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Start dates
2025 dates TBC
Modular intakes available
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Qualification
New Zealand Certificate in Marine Engineering Class 5 (Level 5)Programme code: NZ4321 -
Credits
55 -
Locations
New Zealand Maritime School
Online
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Domestic fees
$3,600 (approx.)
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International fees
NZD $11,917 (approx.)
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Free* study
Explore the free options available for this programme, and check your eligibility:
Programme highlights
Continue on your path to becoming a marine engineer.
This programme is ideal if you are progressing to the next stage of your marine engineering role.
You will learn the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain engine room and auxiliary equipment with minimum supervision to the level of Marine Engineer Class 5 (MEC 5) certification under the Maritime NZ Seafarer Certification and Operational Limits Framework.
It will prepare you for work on ships operating in New Zealand and foreign waters. You will also get skills in how to work safely onboard and what to do in an emergency.
Graduates will generally operate under limited supervision from the chief engineer and the vessel master.
Entry requirements
General
To be admitted to this programme, applicants must hold one of the following:
- 48 credits at NCEA Level 2
OR
- [2506] New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing (Level 3) or
- [2511] New Zealand Certificate in Maritime Crewing (Level 4)
- [2895] New Zealand Certificate in Domestic Maritime Crewing (Level 3)
OR
- a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 3 or above
OR
- a recognised equivalent.
English language entry requirements
All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.
International applicants are required to have an IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with no individual band lower than 5 from a single test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.
Additional requirements
- It is recommended that ākonga be employed or engaged in the Maritime industry
- Ākonga must provide a Medical Certificate issued by a General Practitioner or provide a Seafarers Medical Certificate or equivalent
- Ākonga must be physically fit and capable of participating in the practical training component.
Important information - Maritime New Zealand Licences
- Upon successful completion of the programme, ākonga may seek Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Licences that require all applicants to meet sea time, eyesight and medical requirements.
- Applicants for the Marine Engineering Class 5 (MEC 5) MNZ certificate must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants should refer to www.maritimenz.govt.nz website for details of these requirements.
All persons wishing to qualify for a seafarer licence must also check the Maritime New Zealand prior certification and minimum service requirements for that licence. Also: Seafarers Framework which outlines medical fitness requirements https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/rules/part-34/default.asp and Maritime New Zealand Part 34:Medical Standards https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/rules/part-34/Part34-maritime-rule.pdf.
Special & discretionary admission
Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
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Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?
Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the courses below (55 credits):
Level 3
MARN3201 STCW Elementary first aid (4 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop knowledge and skills to contribute to the provision of first aid on board a vessel.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Provide basic first aid on board a vessel.
MARN3202 STCW Personal Survival Techniques (4 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop knowledge and skills to apply safe personal survival techniques in the event of ship abandonment.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Implement survival techniques in the event of ship abandonment.
MARN3203 STCW Fire prevention and training (4 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop knowledge and skills in fire prevention and firefighting on board a vessel.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Contribute to emergency response to fire on board a vessel.
MARN3204 STCW Personal Survival Techniques (2 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop knowledge and skills to apply safe and sustainable working practices and contribute to emergency situations on board a vessel.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Apply safe and sustainable work practices on board a vessel.
MARN3205 STCW Security awareness training (1 credit)
The aim of this course is to develop knowledge and skills to apply shipboard security and security awareness on board a vessel.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Demonstrate awareness of shipboard security and security threats.
Level 5
MARN5401 Stability and safety (15 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills in marine stability and safety to contribute to safe navigation and operation of vessels in the New Zealand maritime industry.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Apply safe work practices to minimize hazards in engine rooms and machinery spaces.
- Manage vessel stability to ensure safe operation and performance
- Implement vessel-specific operating and emergency procedures to ensure safe work practices.
MARN5402 Environmental protection (10 credits)
The aim of this course is to introduce best practices to minimise pollution and the effects of discards, by-catch and damage caused to fishery habitats through fishing activities.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Review onboard practices that demonstrate compliance with the MARPOL conventions
- Discuss the application of the MARPOL Convention and the recommendations of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries to fishing vessel operations
- Identify the impact of fishing and responsible harvesting practices on fishery habitats
- Explain the importance of fishing gear selectivity in local fisheries.
MARN5403 Vessel machinery and systems (15 credits)
The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge and skills to operate, maintain, and repair vessel machinery and systems, while adhering to the relevant safety regulations and best practices in the New Zealand maritime industry.
Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:
- Operate and maintain propulsion engines of greater than 100kW for marine vessels
- Manage vessel auxiliary systems for typical operations on powered vessels of over 100kW
- Implement procedures to prepare powered vessels of over 100kW for slipway maintenance and survey.
Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?
Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.
Further training or study
Graduates can also progress to higher-level marine engineering qualifications leading to Marine Engineer Class 1 (MEC 1) under the Maritime NZ Seafarer Certification and Operational Limits Framework.
Career opportunities
Marine engineer (Class 5).
For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
Ready to put your plans in place?
Fees Free scheme: Free study for the first or final year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the Government’s Fees Free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student. Note: The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from January 2025. Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy. However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’. For more information, visit feesfree.govt.nz/2025. All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.
Information is correct as at 29 August 2024. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2025 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2025 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2025 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2025 are based on the 2024 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2025. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pūkenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.