Graduate Diploma in Information Technology

Location

Dunedin

Duration

One year full-time; two to three years part-time

Delivery

On campus 

Credits

120

DescLevel

120

Intakes

February and July

Apply

Until start date

    Study breaks content

  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Auckland International Campus
    5 February 2024
    24 June 2024 - 19 July 2024
    8 April 2024 - 19 April 2024
    23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024
  • Auckland International Campus
    5 February 2024
    24 June 2024 - 19 July 2024
    8 April 2024 - 19 April 2024
    23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024
  • Auckland International Campus
    22 April 2024
    23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024
    24 June 2024 - 19 July 2024
    9 December 2024 - 7 February 2025
  • Auckland International Campus
    22 April 2024
    23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024
    24 June 2024 - 19 July 2024
    9 December 2024 - 7 February 2025
  • Auckland International Campus
    22 July 2024
    9 December 2024 - 7 February 2025
    23 September 2024 - 4 October 2024
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
  • Auckland International Campus
    7 October 2024
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    9 December 2024 - 7 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 25 July 2025
  • Dunedin
    26 February 2024
    1 July 2024 - 19 July 2024
    15 April 2024 - 26 April 2024
    30 September 2024 - 11 October 2024
  • Dunedin
    22 July 2024
    30 September 2024 - 11 October 2024
  • Auckland International Campus
    10 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 25 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    29 September 2025 - 10 October 2025
  • Auckland International Campus
    10 February 2025
    30 June 2025 - 25 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    29 September 2025 - 10 October 2025
  • Auckland International Campus
    28 April 2025
    29 September 2025 - 10 October 2025
    30 June 2025 - 25 July 2025
    15 December 2025 - 6 February 2026
  • Auckland International Campus
    28 July 2025
    15 December 2025 - 6 February 2026
    29 September 2025 - 10 October 2025
    13 April 2026 - 24 April 2026
  • Auckland International Campus
    13 October 2025
    13 April 2026 - 24 April 2026
    15 December 2025 - 6 February 2026
    29 June 2026 - 24 July 2026
  • Dunedin
    17 February 2025
    23 June 2025 - 11 July 2025
    14 April 2025 - 25 April 2025
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
  • Dunedin
    14 July 2025
    17 November 2025 - 13 February 2026
    22 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
    13 April 2026 - 24 April 2026

Got a degree and want to develop your computing skills? Are you an IT graduate who is seeking to grow your knowledge in specialist areas?

Look no further! Study IT in this flexible programme - the perfect way to add computing skills to your CV while engaged in full-time employment.

With the rapid rise of technology, computer skills are now fundamental life skills and an IT qualification will greatly increase your career prospects, both here and overseas. There are currently far more IT jobs than there are graduates and employers are desperate for individuals with a good understanding of the industry.

Why study IT at Otago Polytechnic? 

Practical skills 

Tailored to meet your requirements, create a customised path of hands-on study that focuses on your desired outcome.

Have fun 

Study in a creative, innovative and supportive environment. With small class sizes, you'll receive plenty of one-on-one attention from your experienced lecturers. 

Get work ready 

Our graduates jump into a range of jobs in the industry as we teach you want employers want! Consider a career as a Programmer, Software Developer, Systems Administrator or Computing Services Manager, amongst many others.  

You will study

To successfully achieve this programme, you'll need to complete 120 credits at Level 5 or above with a minimum 75 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.

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.

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 (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.

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. 

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.

Your workload

While the Graduate Diploma programme is the equivalent of one year of full time study, course pre-requisites and schedules may necessitate a longer period of part-time study. Therefore, you have the opportunity to complete this qualification over two or three years, according to your personal path of study. 

Further study options

Increase your career prospects with postgraduate study in Information Technology in New Zealand.

Entry requirements

  • You must have an undergraduate qualification in computing or a related discipline OR degree-equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
  • 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

Recognition of prior learning

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification. 

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme. 

Student loans/allowances

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful.  

Intakes:

Course Description Dates
25-AIC-01 Auckland International Campus 10 Feb 2025
25-DUN-FY Dunedin 17 Feb 2025
25-AIC-02 Auckland International Campus 28 Apr 2025
25-AIC-03 Auckland International Campus 28 Jul 2025
25-AIC-04 Auckland International Campus 13 Oct 2025