Certificate in Information Technology

Applicants must

• Turn 17 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• Have gained 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 including:

14 credits in Digital Technologies or
Computing, and

10 credits in Maths, and

10 credits in English at NCEA Level 2 or above.

OR

• Have gained Level 4 Certificate in IT Essentials

OR

• Demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience

OR

• Achieve a 60% pass in the Skills and Knowledge Assessment.

International applicants must

• Turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS Academic overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 or equivalent (whitecliffe.ac.nz/english-proficiency-outcome)
• Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed by NZQA to be equivalent to any stated above

OR

• Achieve a minimum of 60% in the Skills and Knowledge Assessment

AND

• Provide a statement of purpose
• Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
  whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Requirements:

This programme has Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements, we recommend you follow the specifications listed as these will support you to be successful in your studies.

Required IT Specifications:

• Have access to Windows computer/laptop/tablet.

Recommended IT Specifications:

Minimum Hardware requirements

• Mac – Intel processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
  OR
• MacBook Air with M1 Chip
  OR
• Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later
• 8 GB RAM (Recommended 16 GB)
• 250 GB SSD or higher hard drive with 10GB free space minimum
• Wireless capability 802.11n dual-band
• Up-to-date antivirus software

Minimum Operating System

• Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later; LTSC versions are not supported (a must for IT Students)
  OR
• Apple macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later
• Internet and data plan.

Not Supported:

• Chromebooks
• Windows X or Windows S OS
• Tablets (except Windows Surface Pro or iPad Pro)

What is the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe?

The Certificate in Information Technology is an 18-week NZQA Level 5 programme teaching technical support, software development, and web concepts for IT careers.

Who is eligible to apply for the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe?

Applicants must turn 17 during their first year, meet NCEA and subject requirements or have an equivalent qualification or experience; international applicants must turn 18 and meet English proficiency and visa requirements.

What topics and skills are covered in the Certificate in Information Technology course?

The curriculum covers IT technical support, information systems, software development fundamentals, web concepts, business analysis, UX, interface design, and professional skills.

What is the cost to enroll in the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe?

All fees are listed in the programme information and are subject to annual regulatory adjustments.

What are the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) requirements for this programme?

Students need a modern device such as a Windows laptop or Apple MacBook Air (M1 chip recommended), 8GB RAM, 250GB SSD, dual-band Wi-Fi, and up-to-date antivirus software; Chromebooks and unsupported OS are not suitable.

Which campuses offer the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe?

The programme is available at Auckland City Symonds Street, Manukau, Christchurch, and Wellington campuses, with evening online classes and in-person labs available via the August intake.

What career outcomes can graduates from the Certificate in Information Technology expect?

Graduates gain skills for junior roles such as programmer, web developer, helpdesk support, IT technician, and field technician in the IT industry.

What further study options are available after completing the Certificate in Information Technology?

Further study opportunities include the Level 7 Bachelor of Applied Computing Technologies.

Who teaches the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe?

The faculty features experienced IT professionals, including Dr Muhammad Azam (Programme Head), Prof Dr Shahbaz Pervez Chattha (Programme Chair), and several specialist lecturers.

What are the academic intake dates for the Certificate in Information Technology in 2026?

The academic intake dates for the Certificate in Information Technology at Whitecliffe are listed in the programme information. Applicants should ensure their submission is complete before these dates to enrol in the programme.