The Certificate in Information Technology is a great place to start. After six months you will have a certificate qualification and have opened options for work or further study. 

This programme pathways into the second half of the year, allowing you to work towards the: 

New Zealand Diploma in Web Development and Design  (external link)

New Zealand Diploma in Information Technology Technical Support (external link)

You can also pathway from here into the second semester of the first year of the Bachelor of Information Technology.(external link) 

This programme is made up of four individual courses.

These are also the same four courses that students on NMIT’s Diploma and Bachelor qualifications take, making it easy for you to decide later to study beyond this certificate level.

Communication for IT

• Identify and explain how personal factors and behaviours can influence the communication process in business situations. 
• Apply effective interpersonal communication skills in business situations. 
• Demonstrate appropriate written and oral and visual presentation skills that are clear, concise, courteous and correct, using currently recognised business formats. 
• Discuss the influence of culture on communication in an IT context. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the professional, legal, and ethical principles and practices required to act in a socially responsible manner as an emerging IT professional.

Computer Systems Architecture

• Explain the principles of computer systems architecture. 
• Discuss the principles of operation of system hardware and software components for a current generation personal computer and explain how these components interact. 
• Construct a current generation PC-based computer system that satisfies the requirements of a case study. 
• Explain and apply safe working practices for computer systems construction. 
• Identify and apply problem solving processes relevant to troubleshooting for PC-based hardware and software components. 
• Use appropriate diagnostic tools, procedures and benchmark standards to optimise the configuration of components for a PC-based computer system. 
• Describe and implement protocols used in basic foundation networking including internet concepts.

Design and Develop Concepts

• Explore the operation of IT businesses. 
• Identify a range of development life cycles used in IT. 
• Describe the importance of information management for an organisation and implement a solution for a specific case study. 
• Investigate the User experience (Ux) and usability concepts in IT and apply to a particular web case study using effective interface design.

Introduction to Software Development

• Outline the software design and development process. 
• Select and apply a suitable design methodology to the development of a software application to satisfy set requirements. 
• Select, explain and use number systems and data types in the design of software for set requirements. 
• Use a programming language correctly and effectively to develop software applications for set projects. 
• Compare and contrast selected examples of procedural and object oriented programming.

Academic Requirements

• NCEA Level 2

Alternative Requirements

Applicants (including those over 20 years of age) who are unable to evidence that they meet Academic Entry Requirements, but who can demonstrate acquired skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, may be approved for alternative entry by the Curriculum Manager or delegate.

English Language Requirements

If English is not the applicant’s first language they will need to provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Table.(external link)

Applicants who do not have evidence of English language skills and are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, may contact NMIT for an assessment.

• IELTS 5.5 Academic (no lower than 5.0 in any subtest)

IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test

Note: Applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance requirements are not required to provide evidence of English language skills.

Other requirements

Students will require access to a recent model computer and a fast internet connection.

Special Entry

In exceptional circumstances an applicant who does not meet the entry requirements may be granted entry to the Programme where they supply evidence to satisfy the Head of Department or delegate of their ability to succeed on the Programme.

Use of software development tools(external link) is made available to Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology by the Academic Partner Program(external link) from Visual Paradigm(external link) for educational use. 

You are required to have your own laptop with these minimum specifications(external link).

Additionally, you'll need a SSD - 128GB Internal SSD of your own.