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Study Computing and Information Technology at Unitec in Auckland, New Zealand! Apply now at enrol.unitec.ac.nz

Graduate Diploma in Computing

Take your computing career to the next level at a time and pace that suits you. Select the topics that interest you from software and game design/development, business intelligence and analysis, to cybersecurity and networks.

Level
7
Credits
120 (1.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for one year or part-time options available

Programme overview

If you're already working with computers but don’t have a formal qualification, or you have a degree in a different discipline and want to move into the IT sector, our specially tailored Graduate Diploma in Computing can help you accomplish your goals by equipping you with substantial problem-solving skills in an IT area of your interest.

Highlights

  • ​This programme can serve as a bridge into the Unitec postgraduate computing programmes.
  • Flexibility in content: you choose what courses interest you the most including programming, software, hardware, databases, networking, information systems and the Internet. You can also develop testing and quality assurance skills, along with the project planning skills to lead a small in-house IT project.
  • Practise your skills on leading computer technolog.
  • Highly qualified professionals as your lecturers.
  • Small classes that ensure plenty of one-on-one time.
  • Individualised support: new students are enrolled by the Programme Leader for an approved programme of study developed to suit each individual.

Specialist pathways

The Graduate Diploma in Computing is highly flexible. Depending on the career pathway you’re interested in, you can choose to specialise in different areas.

  • Cyber Security and Networking
    This pathway prepares graduates from technical backgrounds to work in the cybersecurity field – a particularly challenging and interesting area of study and work. Many of the courses are hands-on and include malware analysis and other hot topics.

  • Business Analysis
    This pathway helps graduates from all IT backgrounds to prepare for management roles. It also enables arts and business graduates to learn additional IT skills, making you more attractive to future employers and/or enabling you to run your own business.

  • Software Development
    This pathway prepares graduates from a variety of disciplines (usually technical) to work in the fast-moving software development space. If you don’t have a technical background you may need to complete more study to prepare for this pathway

  • Business Intelligence
    This pathway prepares graduates from all IT backgrounds for the business intelligence field. It will enhance your ability to use information systems to improve business decision-making, a highly valuable and sought after skill. 

Admission requirements

For this programme, you will need the following:

1. A recognised degree, a professional qualification in a relevant discipline or the ability to demonstrate competencies equivalent to the above
2. A minimum of 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 in English (4 in reading, 4 in writing) 
3. If English is your second language, you are required to have one or more of the following:

  • Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University entrance
  • Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency
  • Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

Don't meet the requirements? We also accept:

  • Provide sufficient evidence to be eligible for special or discretionary admission.

For more information download the programme regulations:

Programme Regulations

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.

Courses Credits Aim
Hardware Fundamentals (ISCG5400) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with a good working knowledge of information technology hardware.
Operating System Fundamentals (ISCG5401) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to provide students the understanding fundamental concepts of operating systems (OS), functionalities and architectures of operating systems, and how they are designed to meet requirements from users, hardware, and software. Students will gain hands-on experience on using MS Windows and Linux system commands and programs to explore various topics covered by the course.
Networking Fundamentals (ISCG5403) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with a good working knowledge of the concepts of Networking and Data Communications fundamentals.
Programming Fundamentals (ISCG5420) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To introduce students to the basic principles of designing and developing small computer programs within the context of programming language.
Programming Principles and Practice (ISCG5421) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To advance the knowledge of programming beyond an introductory level, in the context of a programming language.
Introduction to Databases (ISCG5423) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an introduction to database systems.
Information Systems Concepts (ISCG5424) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an introduction to information systems and the role they play within industry. The main purpose of the course is to enable a student to engage with a range of information system elements and to make choices for future specialist study.
Courses Credits Aim
Data Communications and Networks (ISCG6401) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide the students with the knowledge of the concepts of data communication and networking.
Network Administration and Support (ISCG6402) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an insight into various local area network configurations.
Network Operating Systems Management (ISCG6403) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide the knowledge and skills required to install, manage and maintain small Linux networks.
Fundamental Concepts in Cyber Security (ISCG6407) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with a clear understanding of fundamental concepts of cyber security as well as develop the knowledge needed to understand security risks and mitigation mechanisms associated with the implementation and management of IT infrastructure.
Project Planning and Control (ISCG6411) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with a knowledge of the requirements of project planning by using project management techniques and tools, monitoring and controlling projects, using project management software, and applying reviewing techniques.
Internet and Website Development (ISCG6420) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide the students with knowledge of advanced concepts of the Internet and website design and development.
GUI Programming (ISCG6421) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide the student with the concepts of and practice in the use of event driven programming in the context of a selected language and a standard interface using windows, icons, menus and pointers.
Database Design and Development (ISCG6423) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To apply the principles of data management with database technology.
Data Warehousing (ISCG6425) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To introduce students to concepts of data warehousing and decision-making, data warehouse design and implementation, data sourcing and data quality, Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) procedure, and on-line analytical processing (OLAP). Students will gain hands-on experience using Microsoft SQL server for implementing data warehouses.
Data Structures and Algorithms (ISCG6426) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course introduces the fundamental data structures and algorithms used in software development, extending the object-oriented concepts taught in the pre-requisite subject Programming Principles and Practice. The course will cover searching and sorting, linked data structures such lists and trees as well as hash tables. Upon completion of this course students will be able to implement a variety of data structures and algorithms, and will have an expert knowledge of the scalability and design trade-offs of these algorithms.
Courses Credits Aim
Computer Systems Security (ISCG7400) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an insight into computer systems security and carry out advanced tasks in planning, operation and monitoring of comprehensive systems security.
Advanced Data Communications (ISCG7401) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide the students with knowledge and application of latest development in data communications and networking.
Network Design and Implementation (ISCG7402) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with an insight into various large network technologies.
Computer Forensic Investigations (ISCG7404) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To enable students to plan and conduct a digital forensic investigation.
Advanced Cyber Security (ISCG7407) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with a deep understanding of the principles of information security in cyber space, enabling them to analyse various phases in the Cyber Attack Cycle and plan prevention mechanisms into their network design.
Malware Analysis (ISCG7408) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To give students an insight into the fundamental concepts of malware analysis, the knowledge needed to understand the security risks of malware infections and the mitigation mechanisms required to be implemented and managed for securing IT infrastructure.
Testing and Quality Assurance Management (ISCG7413) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) Students will apply testing and quality assurance methods and techniques in the development of ICT solutions.
Web Application Development (ISCG7420) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with knowledge and skills for developing client-server and web-based applications in the Intranet/Internet environment.
Mobile Software Development (ISCG7424) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To provide students with the ability to investigate and use advanced techniques that extend the standard software development environment so that the student is competent in approaches required in the development and deployment of software applications for mobile devices.
Agile and Lean Software Delivery (ISCG7427) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) To equip participants with the mindset, knowledge, tools and techniques to succeed in agile software development projects. To help participants to understand Agile and Lean principles and practices, and allows participants to gain experience in working in an Agile environment using industry leading Agile team collaboration tools.
Cloud Application Design and Development (ISCG7444) 15 credits (0.125 EFTS) This course explores the best practices and emerging principles for the design & development of cloud-based applications.