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 to support and enhance organisational processes and systems
• Apply the fundamentals of IT technical support concepts and practice to manage hardware and software resources to meet organisational requirements
• Apply the fundamentals of interaction design concepts and practice to enhance interface design
• Use problem-solving and decision-making techniques to provide innovative and timely information technology outcomes
• Apply a broad operational knowledge of networking, and associated services and technologies to meet typical organisational requirements
• Configure and administer systems and applications to meet typical organisational IT support requirements
• Troubleshoot and resolve a range of common system problems using appropriate tools and procedures
• Identify common issues related to IT security and apply a range of solutions
• Demonstrate operational knowledge and understanding of IT service management to meet typical organisational customer service requirements
• 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

The Level 5 Diploma in IT Technical Support is offered fees-free to all Domestic Students as part of the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF).

The Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) is a Government initiative making all sub-degree vocational and apprenticeship programmes free for learners. It is targeted towards industry skill needs where demand from employers for these skills will continue to be strong or is expected to grow, during New Zealand’s recovery period from the impacts of Covid-19.

The TTAF fund will cover fees from 1 July 2020 until 31 December 2022.

To find out more, check out the FAQs on the Tertiary Education Commission website here.

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)