Diploma in IT: Technical Support

The Level 5 NZ Diploma in Information Technology: Technical Support is a 120-credit programme, consisting of eight x 15 credit courses. A full-time student is expected to complete the programme in up to one year (36 weeks excluding study breaks).

This programme has full-time and part-time study options available. If you are interested in studying this programme part-time, please speak to our admissions team. For further information email: admissions@whitecliffe.ac.nz

• Apply the fundamentals of information systems concepts and practice, including business concepts, development life cycles, data modelling, and administration, to support and enhance organisational processes and systems
• Apply knowledge of established IT Service Management frameworks to meet organisational customer service requirements
• Apply knowledge and concepts of business analysis, user experience, and interface design, to create accessible interactive digital media
• Apply critical analysis and decision-making techniques to solve problems and provide relevant and timely IT outcomes
• Apply a broad operational knowledge of networking technologies, security, associated services, and troubleshooting techniques to meet organisational requirements
• Select, install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot IT hardware, networking, systems, and application software in a secure manner to meet organisational customer service requirements
• Apply the fundamental principles of software development, including fundamental mathematical and logical concepts that underpin computational and systems thinking, to plan, create, test, and document simple working code
• Apply communication, collaboration, teamwork, documentation, and customer service skills to enhance effectiveness in an IT role
• Apply knowledge of database administration and query languages to meet organisational data storage and retrieval requirements, including database management system (DBMS) optimisation, cleansing, security, and backups
• Apply professional, legal, and ethical principles and practices in a socially responsible manner as an emerging IT professional

This qualification offers training towards the following globally recognised vendor certifications:

• CompTIA A+ (220-901 / 220-902)
• CompTIA Network+ N10-006

NZ Government key information link for students, that provides more information to support your decision making for this programme

Domestic Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 17 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• 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
• If you do not have the above, you must have one of the following:
  • 50% pass in online assessment
  • Certificate in IT Essentials
  • Certificate in Information Technology
  • Other appropriate NCEA Level 3 or higher qualification or experience as determined by academic staff

International Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Passport copy
• Academic and work experience documentation - e.g. academic transcripts, employer referrals etc.
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• IELTS Academic overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 or equivalent
• Statement of purpose
• NCEA Level 3 Certificate in Computing, or equivalent knowledge, skills, or experience. If you do not have a Level 3 Certificate in Computing or equivalent, you can take our skills and knowledge assessment

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)