IT is problem solving. Trouble shooting. Critical thinking. Creating. Designing. Building. It’s working alone or working with people.
This is an applied degree so you’ll learn by doing. You’ll gain the skills and practical knowledge to go straight into a job when you graduate.
High Job Prospects
The IT industry accounts for 8 percent of GDP and employs 5 percent of the workforce in New Zealand.
Our IT industry is made up of over 20,000 businesses (small to large) and employs about 114,000 workers. 5,000 more workers are needed per year, with the highest demand being for software developers and data analysts as we move from traditional on-premises computing to cloud-based computing.
The IT industry has attracted and relied on overseas workers to fill this gap. 3,683 immigrants were granted visas for IT-related roles in 2019, which accounted for over 80 percent of IT roles created at that time.
A shortage of digital skills means it continues to be one of the highest-paid industries. Additional benefits often include bonuses and work-from-home flexibility.
The average salary for a Data Analyst with 5 to 10 years of experience is between $80,000 and $95,000.
Source: Immigration NZ, Careers New Zealand
The Bachelor of Information Technology degree is a broad-based programme providing an introduction to most areas of IT. A standard learner pathway will consist of:
Variations of this are possible. You could replace a Level 6 course with a Level 7, and the 15 additional credits can be drawn from courses outside the BIT using unspecified credits.
|
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. |
|
Devices and Platforms |
15 |
Learn to use a range of devices, platforms and concepts utilised within the Information Technology industry. |
|
Maths for IT |
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. |
|
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 (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 (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. |
|
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. |
|
Advanced Algorithms
|
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. |
|
Administering a Virtual Infrastructure
|
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. |
|
AI 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. |
You will be expected to spend about 300 hours per study block on your course work. 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.
This qualification is widely recognised, allowing you to apply for entry to postgraduate study in IT. You will be qualified to apply for graduate teacher training programmes, leading to a career in Information Technology secondary education.
OR the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Selection process
All eligible applicants will be accepted unless the number of applications exceeds the available places (as indicated by the Bachelor of Information Technology Team Leader). In this case, applicants will be interviewed and ranked according to the professional judgement of the admissions panel on the basis of the candidate's likelihood to succeed in the Information Technology industry.
We do not accept international learners under the age of 18 at the time of enrolment.
There are no additional costs associated with this programme.
You will need to have your own computer. We recommend a Windows-based PC, as most software applications are compatible with Windows rather than Apple Mac. Students with a Mac PC may spend a lot of time fixing issues related to applications which are not highly compatible with Mac.
Minimum System Requirements:
New students will be required to set up their OP account and network access during the orientation and before the beginning of their classes. They must have their device ready before the first session.