Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies

Advance your existing skills in computing and broaden your employment opportunities in this fast-evolving field.
Our IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs.

The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT.

In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses.

You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks.

Many courses include group activities or group projects, as the ability to work as part of a team is strongly valued by employers.

In the final semester you'll put all of your acquired skills and knowledge into practice in a 45-credit capstone project (in most cases for a local business). The project is an excellent opportunity to equip yourself with real-world IT experience and to learn from industry people. It also results in a substantial piece of work with which to demonstrate your potential to prospective employers. Part-time up to 5 years.

This leads to the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies

University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and:

14 credits at Level 3 in each of: Mathematics or physics or statistics or accounting English or history or art history or classics or geography or economics one other subject from the list of approved subjects

and Literacy* - 10 credits at level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing and Numeracy* - 10 credits at level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

OR one of the following:

New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology Technical Support Level 5

New Zealand Diploma in Web Development and Design Level 5

New Zealand Diploma in Networking Level 6

New Zealand Diploma in Systems Administration Level 6

OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Business and ICT Pathway or equivalent

Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

* NZQA approved subjects

Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic

SPEAKING - 5.5; READING - 5.5; WRITING - 5.5; LISTENING – 5.5

TOEFL (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)

TOEFL (iBT) - Score of 60 or higher (with a writing score of 18)

Cambridge English Qualifications - B2 First, or B2 First for schools, or C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill

PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42