Bachelor of Information Technology

Learn what IT professionals do and build the communication skills you need to work effectively in the industry. During this hands-on degree, you'll cover a broad general knowledge of IT and then focus on an area that interests you most. Through a series of projects, you'll gain industry-relevant techniques so you can hit the ground running.

About the programme 

Information Technology skills are needed everywhere.  

Learn what Information Technology professionals do through hands-on and practical work. Build the communication skills you need to work effectively in the industry. 

Your 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 your 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! 

You'll 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. 

Our grads jump into a range of jobs in the industry as we teach you what employers want. They enjoy jobs such as a Web Developer, Systems Administrator, Software Developer, Programmer, Business Analyst, Database Administrator or Computing Services Manager.  

Interested in a career in the games industry? 

We now offer the option to study this degree with a game development focus. You'll learn by doing with six studio courses run as games projects in our game development studio, and gain practical experience during internships and real-industry projects. You'll graduate with a Bachelor of Information Technology, backend game development skills and a portfolio of games you've created. Career opportunities include a Generalist Programmer, Physics Programmer, Gameplay Programmer, Network Programmer, AI Programmer, Tools Engineer, Engine Programmer or VR/AR Programmer.

Studying part-time

We know that full-time study isn't always possible. This programme has a part-time study option - talk to us about what suits you best!

Want your existing skills recognised?

If you have work experience and skills in this area, you may be able to complete an independent learning pathway to achieve this qualification in a shorter timeframe.

We currently offer a 10 month full-time / 18-20 month part-time work-based learning option through our assessment of prior learning centre, Capable NZ. 

Find out more

This is a broad-based programme providing an introduction to most areas of IT. A standard pathway will include:

  • eight Level 5 courses in your first year 
  • two Level 6 studio courses and six Level 6 elective courses in your second year 
  • two 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. 

You can check out our range of Level 5, 6 and 7 courses and electives below.

At our Dunedin Campus, you can study this degree with a full game programming focus. You'll graduate with a Bachelor of Information Technology, backend game development skills and a portfolio of games you've created! Sound good? Find out more

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 career 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.

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. 

We are part of Te Pūkenga

When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.