Ara Institute of Canterbury City Campus

More and more businesses are adopting networked tech solutions (eg cloud-based, Internet of Things) to produce significant efficiency gains. However, with these gains comes greater exposure to risks around the confidentiality of business data and intelligence. As a result, cyber security professionals are increasingly in demand.

The New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity is one of the leading programs of its kind in the country. It covers topics such as infrastructure, the basics of cybersecurity, methodology specifics, tools, technologies (such as cryptography), technical cybersecurity management, governance, and standards.

In addition, the course will develop your critical technical and analytical skills and enhance your attention to detail. You’ll learn via classroom tutorials, online discussions and a work-integrated learning project which may involve an industry placement.

This flexible degree will prepare you to succeed in business by equipping you with widely applicable, real-world knowledge and skills. You’ll develop your ability to think critically and strategically and gain valuable skills in your chosen specialty.

In your first year, you’ll develop a depth of business knowledge and skills required for any commercial context. This includes skills in management, leadership, accounting, marketing, HR, law, economics, and sustainability, as well as knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Titiri o Waitangi.

In your second year, you'll then choose a specialization to suit your desired pathway. You can also choose a second specialization, five elective courses or go on a student exchange program.

Your final year of studies involves more complex critical and strategic thinking skills. You’ll undertake a co-operative education project for a local business which will include a work placement. During this placement, you’ll apply skills learned in your chosen specialization to complete a research-informed project that solves a business problem.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time, and/or in the evenings but to choose two specializations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalize your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.

Specializations include: Accounting (including CA Pathway), Business Information Systems, Event Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Marketing and Sales, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain Logistics, Strategic Management, Transformation, and Change.

In the first year of study you will develop knowledge in core business strategies including accounting, business communication, commercial law, business heritage, culture and sustainability, marketing, computing, management and applied research.

You will focus on your accounting specialisation in the second and third years, with study preparing you for an accounting position. Core subjects include:

• Intermediate Financial Accounting - details the regulatory and technical aspects of accounting as well as external reporting and evaluating techniques.
• Intermediate Management Accounting - covers the processes and information required for effective planning, control and decision making.
• Taxation in New Zealand - applies knowledge of taxation rules and compliance.
• Advanced Financial Accounting - prepares financial statements to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting practice.
• Advanced Management Accounting - examines sourcing and evaluating accounting information related to organisational success.

Accounting is much more than bookkeeping. If you wish to move into accounting without becoming a Chartered Accountant, this pathway enables you to specialise in financial accounting, management accounting or taxation, and incorporate five electives from a different discipline to widen your career options. This could include project management, change management or something completely different; the scope and variety is up to you.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time and/or in the evenings, but to choose two specialisations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalise your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.

Businesses in the 21st Century are wanting more data analytics and evaluation of business intelligence. This specialisation will equip you with sound business knowledge and management expertise, and the ability to work with business information systems and strategies to grow any enterprise.

In your first year of study you’ll develop knowledge in core business strategies including accounting, business communication, commercial law, business heritage, culture and sustainability, marketing, computing, management and applied research.

In the second and third years you’ll focus on business information systems and enhance your understanding of business decision making and planning processes. You’ll also complete a Cooperative Education Project where you’ll work 'hands-on' in a business environment applying your learning on a real-world info systems problem or opportunity.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time and/or in the evenings, but to choose two specialisations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalise your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.