Graduate Diploma in Information Technology

Level
NZQA Level 7
Duration
1 year full-time
Intakes
October
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Develop your skills for the New Zealand IT and business environment!

Specifically designed for international students, this programme will provide you with the professional skills that you will need to work effectively in the New Zealand IT and business environment.

These industries are constantly evolving, and an up-to-date qualification is essential. 

Small class sizes allow for better interaction with our experienced teachers, and you will have the chance to practise your new skills with a range of excellent equipment and software applications.

This programme is offered by Future Skills Academy due to a sub-contract arrangement with Otago Polytechnic.

  • What will I learn?

    You'll complete 120 credits at Level 5 or above with a minimum 72 credits at Level 7. Studio 6 is a compulsory course for everyone.

    The flexibility of the programme design means there will inevitably be a range of customised pathways. You'll discuss your tailored pathway with the Programme Leader during your enrolment process. You may be required to undertake specific courses as pre-requisites to other courses in this qualification. 

    Level 5 courses 

    Course name Credits What will I learn?

    Programming 1

    15

    Learn about concepts of program design and programming fundamentals.

    Programming 2

    15

    Build event-driven, GUI (Graphical User Interface) applications using pre-built controls. Be introduced to the theoretical issues involved in Object-Oriented analysis, design and programming, and the principles of correct design and implementation for applications of this type.

    Fundamentals of Web Development

    15

    Use basic technologies for the development of web-based functionality. Learn components of web pages and client/server web communication. Develop simple web-based applications using industry relevant client/server-side programming languages. Use industry-relevant tools and workflows to develop web-based applications.

    Introduction to Networks

    15 

    Learn about fundamental networking concepts and technologies, by covering the basics of network theory and the skills needed to implement a simple network.

    Platforms and Devices

    15 

    Learn to use a range of devices, platforms and concepts utilised within the Information Technology industry. 

    Digital Numeracy

    15 

    Learn about the mathematical concepts and methods that underpin and are directly applicable to the theory of information systems. This course is primarily sited within the field of discrete mathematics.

    Year One Special Topic

    15

    Pursue an individual course that will focus in-depth on a particular aspect of IT.

    Studio 1

    15

    Learn the fundamentals of professionalism in a technical environment.  

    Studio 2

     15

    Be introduced to user-centric and technical project planning techniques to create solutions to simple IT problems. 

    Unspecified credits 

    15

    This course is intended to act as a repository for "unspecified credits" where you can undertake courses from outside the BIT.

    Level 6 courses 

    Course name Credits What will I learn?

    Databases 2 

    15

    Learn the fundamentals of relational database theory and how to design, build and use a database on a modern database management system. 

    Switching, Routing and Wireless Essentials

    15

    Learn how to describe the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a small network and to configure a router and a switch for basic functionality. 

    Operating Systems Concepts

    15

    Learn about the major components of operating systems and the basic organisation of computer systems. 

    Embedded Systems

    15

    Be introduced to the core principles of computer hardware and architecture and become acquainted with a range of embedded application contexts. 

    Automation and Robotics

    15

    Use microprocessors and sensors to build mobile, context-aware robots. Learn to programme classic robotic behaviours and add wireless communication to explore basic swarm algorithms. 

    Year Two Special Topic 

    15

    Carry out semi-independent exploration into a specific IT topic. 

    Studio 3

    15

    Use an industry-relevant project management approach to produce simple, functional group outputs. 

    Studio 4

    15

    Produce a professional, high-quality group project, following industry-relevant quality assurance and ethical practices. 

    Introductory Application Development Concepts (Dev3)

    15

    Learn the concepts of application development, including algorithms, data structures and design patterns required to use a simple, industry-relevant development framework. 

    Intermediate Application Development Concepts (Dev4)

    15

    Extend the concepts of application development, including algorithms, data structures and design patterns required to use complex, industry-relevant frameworks or libraries. 

    Operations Engineering 1

    15

    Gain the knowledge and hands-on skills to perform systems administration tasks securely within different computing platforms, using the command line interface. 

    Unspecified credits 

    15

    This course is intended to act as a repository for "unspecified credits" where you can undertake courses from outside the BIT.

    Level 7 courses 

    Course name Credits What will I learn?

    Studio 5

    15

    Apply technical skills within complex Information Technology projects. Extend professional behaviour through group work, professional development activities and external engagement. 

    Studio 6

    15

    Extend your skills within a complex IT project. 

    Developing Flexible IT Courses 

    15

    Prepares students for the training role that is often performed by information technology professionals.  

    Databases 3

    15

    Gain the skills and understanding necessary to design and implement enterprise databases and to administer database management systems. Use a range of tools and platforms for developing large databases and explore current areas of research in database implementation, use and management. 

    Algorithms in Action: From AI to Blockchain

    15

    Use a wide variety of advanced algorithms and tools to develop efficient solutions to complex computational problems.  

    Operations Engineering 2

    15

    Look at, and practice the configuration, management and troubleshooting of systems within an enterprise network including aspects of both applications and operating system components. 

    Advanced Cloud Computing

    15

    An in-depth knowledge and techniques used to efficiently implement, optimise and troubleshoot a virtual infrastructure. 

    Mobile Application Development  

    15

    Explore the design and implementation of applications for mobile devices.

    Advanced Networking 

    15

    Provides students with an understanding of how to evaluate and apply advanced networking protocols, services and concepts to the design, deployment and maintenance of medium to large scale networks. 

    Year Three Special Topic 

    15

    Carry out an independent exploration into a specific IT topic.  

    UX Engineering 

    15

    Build on your front-end development skills to design and build screens with inclusive, flexible and sound user experience. 

    Security 

    15

    Gain the theoretical knowledge and technical skills in the field of information security. Learn to identify security threats and vulnerabilities, then mitigate them by implementing robust, industry-accepted solutions. 

    Artificial Intelligence and Data Science 

    15

    Choose and deploy the appropriate machine intelligence tool to solve problems that demand a cognitive component. For example: computer vision, natural language processing, recommendation systems, data analytics, anomaly detection, conversational agents (ie chatbots), machine translation, autonomous navigation, robotic control etc. 

    Advanced Application Development Concepts   

    15

    Build and deploy optimised and efficient applications using a range of advanced industry tools and frameworks. 

    Quality Assurance and Software Testing  

    15

    Lay the foundation for a potential craeer in the information technology field as a software tester. Understand the fundamental principles and processes of software testing.

    Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation  

    15

    Understand and apply knowledge of architectures and considerations related to designing, securing, operating and trouble shooting enterprise scale networks. 

    Game Development  

    15

    Apply game programming techniques and tools to develop an effective game.  

    Internet of Things and Cloud Computing  

    15

    Investigate and analyse the applicability of an IoT solution for a real-world problem and develop an IoT application involving cloud computing.

    Business Analysis and Intelligence  

    15

    Apply the theories, methods and tools for analysing business processes, and propose solutions for a variety of organisational problems. 

    Unspecified credits

    15

    This course is intended to act as a repository for "unspecified credits" where you can undertake courses from outside the BIT.
  • What are the entry requirements?
    • You must hold a recognised bachelor's degree in computing or a related discipline OR an equivalent qualification supported by practical, professional or scholarly experience. Click here for your country’s equivalent academic entry requirements. 
    • If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • What's the workload?

    You will be expected to spend about 300 hours per study block on your coursework. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study. Some of these hours may be spent in a workplace, gaining hands-on experience and developing important industry and business connections.

  • Cancellation of a programme

    Any programme of study, course or course occurrence may be cancelled or postponed where there are insufficient numbers. As far as is practically possible, we avoid cancelling or making other significant changes less than two weeks before the programme starts (or five working days for short courses). If this happens, we will do our best to suggest alternative study options for you. If you don’t want to do the alternative programme, we will give you a full refund. If a programme change affects your visa status, we will let you know and support you to find an alternative option. We also advise Immigration New Zealand of any programme change that will affect international students.  

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