Bachelor of Information & Communications Technology

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

This programme consist of 360 credits. The courses includes;

Year One

Programming Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn the fundamentals of programming to develop quality software. During your studies you'll develop an application using an industry standard language, and debug, test and document a software application.

Database Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Gain a broad operational knowledge of database design and administration. During your studies you'll design a relational database to meet organisational requirements; apply interaction design concepts to a user interface; andstore and retrieve organisational data using query and reporting tools.

Information Systems Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Gain an understanding of business systems and essential components of the ICT profession.

Technical Support Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn how to deliver organisational technical support based on best practice in IT service management. During your studies you'll apply a user needs analysis to identify organisational requirements; create, deliver and evaluate a training session; and develop technical documentation to a professional standar.

Web Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn the fundamentals of web development and how to produce a quality website. You'll employ UX design principles that meet organisational requirements andapplyan industry standard approach.

Systems Analysis Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn the principles of systems analysis and systems requirements elicitation techniques. During your studies you'll analyse situations requiring problem solving; elicit and model user requirements using a variety of techniques; and construct accurate systems analysis documentation reflecting requirements.

Network Fundamentals (15 Credits)
Learn the fundamentals of computer networks as they currently exist in industry, so that you can configure, test and troubleshoot local area networks.

Computer HardwareFundamentals (15 Credits)
Gain an understanding of computer hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting techniques.

Year Two and Three

In the second year of your degree you'll advance your knowledge via your chosen major of Business & Systems Analysis, Data Management & Analytics, Network Engineering,Project Management,Security,Software Engineering, Systems Administration, or Web & Mobile Development.

Second year students all study the following compulsory course:

IT Project Management (15 Credits)
Gain an understanding of project management theory and practice as it relates to the ICT industry.

Third year students all undertake an industry project as follows:

Industry Project (45 Credits)
Undertake an industry-based project of a complex nature. During this experience you'll manage an ICT project for industry; produce original work and project deliverables; consider and apply professional work ethics; meet project timelines and goals; record and evaluate project work and progress; and present project outcomes to sponsors and academic supervisors.

In your second year and third yearsyou'll study elective courses to the value of 60 Credits and 30 Credits respectively.

Business & Systems Analysis Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Analysis and Design (15 Credits)
Create quality analysis and design documentation for a moderately complex system.

Database Development (15 Credits)
Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.

Software Process (15 Credits)
Learn to create quality software applications utilising a modern development approach. During your studies you'll work as a team on an iterative development project; manage an individual development task; implement processes to ensure quality; and compare and select an appropriate development method for a given problem.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Advanced Systems Analysis (15 Credits)
Learn to introduce tools and techniques used to assess feasibility and present a business case; to complete an analysis of a complex information system based on the recommendation from the feasibility phase.

Managerial Practice (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse and evaluate management practices as they relate to the ICT industry. During your studies you'll discuss and analyse key issues associated with managing and structuring the ICT capability within an organisation; recommend and design a quality management programme for an organisation; apply best practice human resource management techniques; and commentate on the relevant legislation and social responsibility issues as they relate to the ICT industry.

Data Management & Analytics Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Advanced Programming (15 Credits)
Learn standard algorithms required for business application programming. During your studies you'll design and construct small applications using a variety of algorithms; devise test plans to ensure quality software; and create system maintenance documentation.

Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.

Database Development (15 Credits)
Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.

Enterprise Data Management (15 Credits)
Learn to design and implement enterprise data management systems.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Advanced Database Concepts (15 Credits)
Learn to successfully design, create and administer a data warehouse using a server-based database management system.

Data Analytics and Intelligence (15 Credits)
Learn to use data analytics and business intelligence tools and techniques in order to provide decision support within an organisational context.

Network EngineeringMajor

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Networks (CISCO RSE) (15 Credits)
Gain practical and technical networking knowledge that will allow you to configure and troubleshoot routers, switches and resolve common issues with RIPv1, RIPng, single-area and multi-area OSPF, virtual LANs, and inter-VLAN routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

Network Services (15 Credits)
Learn to implement key network services as used in modern LANs and to explain the network protocols that these services use. During your studies you'll implement and explain the operation of name resolution; implement automatic network configuration; implement and explain the operation of directory services; implement and explain the operation of a web proxy; implement automatic browser configuration when a web proxy is used; implement file sharing; and implement and explain the operation of a basic firewall.

Systems Security (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse and implement computer systems security, including operating systems, server applications and networks. Also gain an understanding of computer forensics.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

CISCO Scaling and Connecting (15 Credits)
Gain practical and technical networking knowledge that will assist in designing, building and analysing networks and their protocols using advanced technologies.

Network Design (15 Credits)
Learn how to recommend uses for thin and thick client architectures, and to design a thin client architecture.

Project Management Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Enterprise Data Management (15 Credits)
Learn to design and implement enterprise data management systems.

Introduction to Finance (15 Credits)
Learn to apply financial management knowledge and skills to a small or medium size business for decision-making purposes.

Software Process (15 Credits)
Learn to create quality software applications utilising a modern development approach. During your studies you'll work as a team on an iterative development project; manage an individual development task; implement processes to ensure quality; and compare and select an appropriate development method for a given problem.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Advanced Project Management (15 Credits)
Learn advanced principles of the project management body of knowledge and cover the content of the Project Management Institute and its application and evaluation to the workplace.

Managerial Practice (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse and evaluate management practices as they relate to the ICT industry. During your studies you'll discuss and analyse key issues associated with managing and structuring the ICT capability within an organisation; recommend and design a quality management programme for an organisation; apply best practice human resource management techniques; and commentate on the relevant legislation and social responsibility issues as they relate to the ICT industry.

Security Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Networks (CISCO RSE) (15 Credits)
Gain practical and technical networking knowledge that will allow you to configure and troubleshoot routers, switches and resolve common issues with RIPv1, RIPng, single-area and multi-area OSPF, virtual LANs, and inter-VLAN routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. 

Network Services (15 Credits)
Learn to implement key network services as used in modern LANs and to explain the network protocols that these services use. During your studies you'll implement and explain the operation of name resolution; implement automatic network configuration; implement and explain the operation of directory services; implement and explain the operation of a web proxy; implement automatic browser configuration when a web proxy is used; implement file sharing; and implement and explain the operation of a basic firewall.

Systems Security (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse and implement computer systems security, including operating systems, server applications and networks; and explain the fundamentals of computer forensics.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Network Security (15 Credits)
Learn to configure the components and operation of Virtual Private Networks, firewalls and network security.

Systems Administration (15 Credits)
Learn to design and construct a complex multi-user client/server network. You'll gain skills needed to configure and integrate complex systems.

Software Engineering Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Advanced Programming (15 Credits)
Learn standard algorithms required for business application programming. During your studies you'll design and construct small applications using a variety of algorithms; devise test plans to ensure quality software; and create system maintenance documentation.

Database Development (15 Credits)
Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.

Note: As a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, UCOL is committed to providing the best learning outcome for you. As part of this, all programmes are currently being reviewed to make them portable, consistent, and closely aligned with the needs of the industry. When published, this course information is correct, but the courses offered may change over time.

Software Process(15 Credits)
Learn to create quality software applications utilising a modern development approach. During your studies you'll work as a team on an iterative development project; manage an individual development task; implement processes to ensure quality; and compare and select an appropriate development method for a given problem.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Mobile Application Development (15 Credits)
Learn to develop mobile applications for current and emerging mobile computing devices.

Software Engineering (15 Credits)
Learn to design and construct quality software ready for distribution. During your studies you'll perform object-oriented design and programming with a high level of proficiency; secure applications so that they are ready for distribution; conduct effective and efficient inspections; evaluate software user interfaces for accessibility and usability; and design and implement comprehenstive test plans.

Systems Administration Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Database Development (15 Credits)
Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.    

Network Services (15 Credits)
Learn to implement key network services as used in modern LANs and to explain the network protocols that these services use. During your studies you'll implement and explain the operation of name resolution; implement automatic network configuration; implement and explain the operation of directory services; implement and explain the operation of a web proxy; implement automatic browser configuration when a web proxy is used; implement file sharing; and implement and explain the operation of a basic firewall.

Systems Security (15 Credits)
Learn to analyse and implement computer systems security, including operating systems, server applications and networks. Also gain an understanding of computer forensics.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Advanced Database Concepts (15 Credits)
Learn to successfully design, create and administer a data warehouse using a server-based database management system.

Systems Administration (15 Credits)
Learn to design and construct a complex multi-user client/server network. You'll gain skills needed to configure and integrate complex systems.

Web & Mobile Development Major

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR TWO

Database Development (15 Credits)
Learn how to effectively design an information system for a complex business application.

Digital Multimedia (15 Credits)
Learn to apply principles and techniques relating to the application of digital multimedia technologies. During your studies you'll learn about digital images, video and audio; create and manipulate digital image, video and audio files according to a technical specification for distribution across the ICT infrastructure; and optimise digital multimedia for commonly used ICT mediums.

Dynamic Web Solutions (15 Credits)
Learn to create a dynamic web application utilising a variety of open-source technologies. During your studies you'll design and document a web application; secure critical business data within the web application; interface with a web-based database management system; and implement user security and session management.

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Advanced Web Solutions (15 Credits)
Learn to investigate, implement, and critique influentual, new, and emerging web technology solutions.

Mobile Application Development (15 Credits)
Learn to develop mobile applications for current and emerging mobile computing devices.

Other Electives

COMPULSORY COURSES - YEAR THREE

Networks (CISCO ITN) (15 Credits)
Gain practical and technical networking knowledge to assist you to build simple LANs, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes.

Professional Practice (15 Credits)
Prepare for transition into the ICT profession. Source an industry project and produce appropriate documentation.

Special Topic (15 Credits)
Pursue an area of special interest under the guidance of a UCOL academic staff member. The Special Topic course is subject to availability and approval from the Head of School.

Applicants under 20 years of age:

Applicants under the age of 20 years must have University Entrance

Or equivalent academic achievement, such as:

• New Zealand Certificate in IT Essentials
• New Zealand Certificate in Business (Administration and Technology) - Level 4

Or on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

Or a provisional enrolment. Provisional enrolment is defined by NZQA as being Discretionary Entrance and includes the following clauses:

Discretionary enrolment may be granted to those applicants under the age of 20 who:

• Are New Zealand or Australian citizens and permanent residents under 20 years of age
• Must have a minimum of 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA
• Must also have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance.

English language proficiency
If English is not your first language, you must also demonstrate English language skills equivalent to an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

In addition to the Domestic Entry Requirements, the following applies to international student applicants.

English language proficiency
International student applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible). UCOL is a TOEFL testing centre.

Under 20 years of age
In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

As UCOL becomes Te Pūkenga on 1 January 2023, learners enrolling in a programme that is likely to continue into semester 1 2023 or starting in semester 1 2023 will become Te Pūkenga learners. They will receive their qualification from Te Pūkenga on completion.

Recognition of prior learning
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relavant policies and procedures.

Application checklist
It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)
• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)
• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme
• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).