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

The Level 5 Diploma in Information Technology: 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 Government Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF) is valid until 31st December 2022. Whitecliffe would like to offer a 50% tuition fees scholarship to all applicants to enable them to complete a full-year fees-free for all sub-degree (Level 4-6) programmes. Our July 2022 intake is the last opportunity to take full advantage of this scholarship.

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)