Programme highlights
Get training in key information technology (IT) skills and graduate with a degree in high demand by the industry worldwide.
This degree meets the high accreditation standards of the Institute of IT Professionals (IITP), who also endorse it as being of the calibre that provides “the best pathway to industry in New Zealand and abroad.”
You’ll be able to make a practical link between the latest digital technologies and today’s business environment ensuring that you’re well equipped to take your place in this exciting and constantly changing industry. This degree will provide you with the skills to analyse, design, develop, implement and maintain information systems across a variety of industries and business types.
As well as a strong grounding in analytical, technical and theoretical concepts this degree also uses hands-on practical methods and teaches important people skills like communication and management skills. At the culmination of this programme you’ll be able to do a real-world project where you can apply your skills in the workplace.
Choose from two majors
You can enhance your future career or personal goals by complementing the core ICT programme with elective courses from one of the following majors:
Networking
- use, install and administer at least two widely-used commercial operating systems
- use, install, troubleshoot and administer a server-based network
- analyse and implement information security requirements
- apply cloud computing concepts in the design and implementation of resilient computing systems.
Software and web development
- understand and apply software engineering best practices, development principles, tools and programming languages apply problem-solving skills and design software algorithms
- analyse business processes and design software solutions to solve and improve them
- implement software solutions for at least two software platforms (such as web, mobile, desktop, and/or cloud, etc.).
To find out more about what internships entail for both our learners and host organisations, click here.
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme:
- Successfully met the NZQA requirements for University Entrance as specified on the NZQA website.
OR
- If the applicant has at least 60 NZQA recognised credits at Level 5 or higher.
OR
- If the applicant can provide evidence of equivalence through practical, professional or educational experience, e.g. three-five years’ full time work experience (relevant to ICT), they can apply for entry. Evidence of literacy and numeracy will be required. MIT literacy and numeracy assessments are available.
AND
- Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. For the minimum English language requirements, refer to the NZQA website.
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 eight compulsory courses, one business elective course, plus the courses from your chosen major (360 credits):
Compulsory courses
Level 5
563.551 Hardware and Software Fundamentals (20 credits)
Get equipped with foundational skills to select, install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot IT hardware and software systems in a secure, legal, and ethical manner. The course emphasises the use of problem-solving, collaboration, and analysis to meet organisational requirements and support IT systems.
563.552 Programming Fundamentals (20 credits)
Learn to apply the fundamental principles of software development, computational thinking, and logical problem-solving to plan, create, test, and document simple code solutions. Develop teamwork, communication, and debugging skills to support professional programming practice.
563.553 User Experience and Professional Practice (20 credits)
Learn the fundamentals of business analysis, user experience and interface design. Gain practical skills to create simple, user-centred digital solutions. Develop teamwork, documentation, and problem-solving skills while introducing professional, ethical, and cultural considerations.
Level 6
561.645 Professional Practice in IT (15 credits)
To be provided with the skills and knowledge required of an information technology (IT) professional and develop the work attributes appropriate for working in the IT industry.
563.683 Change and Project Management in IT (15 credits)
Work in a diverse project team to achieve project outcomes based on an IT client project brief, and critically self-reflect on their personal and team performance.
Level 7
562.791 BDT Industry Project (45 credits)
The opportunity to design, implement and evaluate a project for a client by integrating the theory learnt in underpinning courses and applying this practically in an industry environment.
563.783 Management of ICT (15 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of management strategies, action plans, policies, and skills appropriate for the ICT industry, and to prepare an ICT risk management plan.
Business elective course
Level 5
Select from one of the following Level 5 business courses:
- BSNS5001 Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context (15 credits)
- BSNS5002 Business Environments (15 credits)
- BSNS5003 Business Functions (15 credits)
These courses are from the Bachelor of Accounting (Level 7).
Courses related to your chosen major
Networking
Level 5
563.555 Technical Support (20 credits)
The aim of this course is to equip learners with the technical and professional skills to diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve IT support issues. It emphasises the application of customer service, communication, and service management frameworks to meet organisational requirements and to provide effective frontline support.
563.556 Database Fundamentals (20 credits)
This course develops the ability to design, administer, and query databases to meet organisational data storage and retrieval requirements. Learners will apply SQL and data modelling concepts, with a focus on secure, ethical, and professional practices.
563.554 Networking Fundamentals (20 credits)
This course aims to equip learners with the practical and professional skills to select, install, configure, and troubleshoot networks. It emphasises the application of practical, collaborative problem-solving to deliver secure, relevant networking solutions for an organisation.
Level 6
565.689 Advanced Server Services (15 credits)
Demonstrate an understanding of the data storage options and implement a server-based infrastructure with advanced features and data storage to support organisational requirements.
565.690 Network Infrastructure (15 credits)
Implement and administer a network infrastructure with associated services and protocols to meet organisational requirements.
565.691 Directory Services (15 credits)
Plan, implement and manage a directory service with the protocols, supporting services, and replication mechanisms to meet organisational requirements.
Plus, select four courses from:
561.647 Information Security (15 credits)
Demonstrate an understanding of the information security principles, analyse the requirements and implement security measures to meet organisational requirements.
562.616 Automated System Deployment (15 credits)
Plan, implement and troubleshoot an automated system and application software deployment to support efficient organisational operations.
562.617 Messaging and Services (15 credits)
Implement and administer a messaging and collaboration service in a network infrastructure and apply service management processes to comply with organisational requirements.
565.692 Software Defined Networking (15 credits)
Demonstrate an understanding of software-defined networking (SDN) and implement an SDN to meet organisational requirements.
565.693 Wireless Networks (15 credits)
Plan, implement and troubleshoot a wireless network to meet organisational requirements.
Level 7
565.783 Hot Topic in Networking (15 credits)
Identify a contemporary topic in networking, research its possible challenges and design a solution to meet an organisation’s requirements.
565.784 Cloud Computing (15 credits)
Research and apply key cloud computing concepts to meet business requirements and implement a resilient cloud infrastructure for an organisation.
Software and web development
Level 5
502.522 Object Oriented Programming (15 credits)
Understand and code software programs using object-oriented principles. By the end of this course you will be expected to code object-oriented software solutions in Java.
502.523 System Analysis and Design (15 credits)
Analyse and design software solutions using object-oriented paradigm. Model and present software systems using UML.
502.524 Fundamentals of Business Intelligence (15 credits)
Understand the fundamentals of business intelligence for decision-making, learn how to produce simple business intelligence reports, and to conduct simple sensitivity analysis for decision support.
502.525 Front End Web Development (15 credits)
Build beautiful and responsive websites. You are expected to understand the fundamentals of how the web works and gain a working knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Level 6
502.632 Full Stack Web Development (15 credits)
Build server-side web applications that use relational databases to store data and interact with public APIs.
502.633 Software Engineering (15 credits)
Develop skills to construct robust, reliable software that is reasonably easy to understand, modify, and maintain.
502.634 User Experience and User Interface Design (15 credits)
Understand the importance of user-centric design and implement software user interfaces that promote aesthetics, usability, and ease of use.
Plus, select four courses from:
561.646 Information and Communication Technologies (15 credits)
Develop and apply skills and capabilities in technology areas, for example, web, multimedia, relevant to communication areas such as news, advocacy, advertising, education, and entertainment.
562.613 Applied Data Structures (15 credits)
The aim of this course is to introduce well-known data structures and to show their applications in software development. You will be able to identify proper data structure(s) for a given problem(s) and develop software solution(s) that employ the data structure(s).
562.614 Applied Software Testing (15 credits)
To provide a framework for the fundamentals of Validation & Verification (V&V) and software testing to enable students to apply different test generation techniques and implement automated tests using a unit testing framework.
562.619 Cloud Application Development (15 credits)
To demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of cloud computing, its benefits and challenges, to enable students to design and implement a SaaS solution.
564.683 Database Application Development (15 credits)
Design and develop a transaction management database application using a mainstream platform and object library to present and manipulate data stored in a relational database, and to process data and generate reports.
Level 7
502.714 Hot Topic in Software (15 credits)
Prepare you to identify a contemporary problem and implement a software solution to meet a client’s needs.
502.715 Mobile Application Development (15 credits)
Develop native applications for a mobile/tablet platform. You will be expected to implement a complete mobile application that interacts with a variety of local and remote data sources, and uses a variety of hardware/software services provided by the device.
Please note that not all digital technologies and business courses are offered every semester.
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.
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Digital Technologies prepares graduates for employment in the field of information and communication technologies.
Opportunities for employment depend on the major studied and include:
- IT manager, web developer
- Programmer
- Software developer
- Software architect
- Systems analyst
- Business analyst
- Network/software support specialist
- Multimedia developer
- User experience designer
- Network/database administrator
- IT project manager (incorporating business analytics and intelligence).
For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.