Also known as Marine Engineer Class 2 (MEC 2) or Marine Engineer Class 1 (MEC 1)
Study to become a Second Engineer or Chief
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Duration and study methods
MEC 2: Full-time for 1 year (36 teaching weeks).
MEC 1 (optional strand): Full-time for an additional 12 weeks.
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Start dates
MEC 2: January
MEC 1: September
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Qualification
Diploma in Foreign-going Master or Chief (Level 7) (Chief Engineering Foreign-going) also known as Marine Engineer Class 2 (MEC 2) or Marine Engineer Class 1 (MEC 1)Programme code: MN3832 -
Credits
120-150 -
Locations
New Zealand Maritime School
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Domestic fees
MEC 2: $7,900 (approx.)
MEC 1: $3,000 (approx.)
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International fees
MEC 2: NZD $26,000 (approx.)
MEC 1: NZD $6,500 (approx.)
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Free* study
Explore the free options available for this programme, and check your eligibility:
Modular intakes for this programme mean you can start scheduled courses during the year.
Domestic students: Please contact our Ask Me! Student Services team.
International students: Please contact our International team for more information.
Programme highlights
Take your engineering career to the next level.
If you are a marine engineer looking to progress your career to a senior engineer or head of a technical department role, this programme is for you.
You will develop the critical thinking skills to solve complicated engineering problems at sea.
When you graduate, you will be ready to take charge of engineering operations and lead a team of engineers onboard the most complex and advanced vessels, technical operations onboard large cruise ships, or managerial shore-based positions.
Entry requirements
Entry to the programme is restricted to:
- Those students holding a Watchkeeper deck Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent; or
- Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2515 NZ Diploma in Nautical Science programme; or
- Those students holding a Marine Engineer Class 3 Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent, and passes within the past five years in the Mathematics and Engineering Drawing courses of the revised Class 3 Certificate of Competency; or
- Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2514 New Zealand Diploma in Marine Engineering programme.
English language entry requirements
Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme, which is taught and assessed in English.
Any applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency.
International students: English language entry requirements
For the minimum English language requirements refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/
International students will generally be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency, for this programme an IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 is required. Equivalent acceptable evidence can be seen at the following NZQA link: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/
Regulatory and other entry requirements
Students intending to pursue a seagoing career must produce evidence of having met the medical and eyesight/hearing standards currently in force by Maritime New Zealand. These are statutory requirements for working on vessels. Applicants must be physically capable of completing the programme.
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.
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 below eight courses (120 credits):
Chief engineering foreign-going
Level 5
946.506 Marine engineering maths 1 (15 credits)
To enable you to understand general mathematical principles underpinning the engineering behaviour of the ship and its environment, and to be equipped with appropriate mathematical skills to solve engineering problems and understand technical specifications and instructions for unfamiliar equipment.
Level 6
942.674 Fluid mechanics management (10 credits)
To enable you to demonstrate broad theoretical knowledge of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic principles and a practical overview of applications for safe ship operations.
942.677 Electrical, electronic and control engineering management (15 credits)
To enable you to manage the operation of electrical and electronic control equipment.
Level 7
942.733 Solid mechanics management (15 credits)
To enable you to understand and apply the principles and laws of mechanics, apply problem-solving skills to the dynamics of machines, in particular, power transmission systems and to develop problem-solving skills in relation to the strength of materials on-board a vessel in order to evaluate performance and make decisions involving seaworthiness.
942.736 Human elements in leadership and management (HELM) (leadership and management) (15 credits)
To enable you to manage and lead a team in a maritime environment.
942.745 Naval architecture management (15 credits)
To enable you to develop their theoretical and practical knowledge of naval architecture and ship design features.
942.750 Thermodynamics 2 (20 credits)
To enable you to have a broad theoretical and practical overview of applied thermodynamics principles in order to evaluate performance and make decisions involving seaworthiness of a ship.
942.752 Engineering knowledge (15 credits)
To enable you to have the theoretical and practical knowledge of main and auxiliary machinery to maintain the seaworthiness of a ship.
For chief engineer, marine engineer class 1 (MEC 1), you will also need to complete the below two courses (30 credits)
942.735 Electrical marine control engineering (15 credits)
To enable you to control the electrical and electronic equipment using PLC.
942.751 Chief engineering knowledge (15 credits)
To enable you to have the theoretical and practical knowledge of main and auxiliary machinery to maintain the seaworthiness of a ship and the responsibility of the engineering crew.
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
Postgraduate programmes in the shipping industry.
You could also develop your skills in logistics with a Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain and Shipping Management (Level 7).
Career opportunities
Chief (MEC 1) and Second Engineer (MEC 2) on-board large cruise ships, or managerial shore-based positions.
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 meet New Zealand residency criteria. 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. All free study is subject to availability and 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 4 December 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. Where the fees are indicative, 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.