Bachelor of Information Technology
Course details
About the course
Information Technology skills are needed everywhere. Get a Bachelor of Information Technology degree and get the jobs.
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.
Why study IT at Otago Polytechnic?
Practical skills
Learn what Information Technology professionals do through hands-on and practical work. Build the communication skills you need to work effectively in the industry.
First year covers a broad general knowledge of IT. Key topics come up again through the year, and you’ll address them with more depth each time as you learn more and understand more.
For second and third year you can focus on an area that interests you most:
- Software development
- IT infrastructure and operations
- Network engineering
- Alternative digital platforms (hardware, IoT, etc.)
Courses include Databases, Automation and Robotics, Mobile App Development, Advanced Networking, UX Engineering, Game Development, AI and Data Science, and the Internet of Things and Cloud Development. There's even the option of doing a course from a programme outside of the BIT!
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. Our grads enjoy jobs such as Web Developer, Systems Administrator, Software Developer, Programmer, Business Analyst, Database Administrator or Computing Services Manager.
You will study
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:
- eight compulsory Level 5 courses in your first year
- two compulsory Level 6 studio courses and six Level 6 elective courses in your second year
- two compulsory Level 7 studio courses and five Level 7 elective courses (plus one other 15 credit course from Level 5, 6 or 7) in your third year.
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.
Year one - 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. |
Year two - 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. |
Year three - 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
If studying at our Dunedin Campus
Most Information Technology courses are worth 15 credits and are the equivalent of four hours contact time per week. A full-time programme will usually consist of four courses per semester. During an average week, you will be expected to undertake 16 hours of directed learning and an additional 15-20 hours of self-directed study completing assignments and reading.
If studying at our Auckland International Campus
You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 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.
Further study options
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.
Entry requirements
- NCEA Level 3
- 14* credits at Level 3 in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
- 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
- 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
- 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
- specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
- package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).
| *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. a total of 36 credits). |
- OR the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4), or equivalent.
- OR discretionary entry may be given to applicants over 20 who do not have University Entrance. The Programme Leader will interview and assess the formal and informal learning of these applications. An interview may be requested.
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
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.
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.
Bridging options
If you do not meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Information Technology, our New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) is the perfect solution as it will enable you to achieve the foundation knowledge you need to progress into other higher level Information Technology qualifications.
Additional costs
There are no additional costs associated with this programme.
Student loans and 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.
Links to useful websites
Connect with Computing and IT students, graduates and staff on our very active Facebook page.
About the provider
We're proud to be a leader in high quality, career-focused education with some of the best student achievement and satisfaction results in New Zealand.
Employers love our graduates because they are work-ready, confident and solution-focused. We believe our people make a better world and our alumni are global citizens who care about making a difference. We have been given the highest possible quality ratings from Government and, as educators, we offer innovative ways for our learners to study so they can build their capability and realise their potential.