Bachelor of Social Work

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

The Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education is the only outdoor education degree in New Zealand that includes sustainability as a major component. It provides a unique combination of theory and practice to ensure you graduate with a sound understanding of contemporary social and cultural issues, geography and sustainability, and a proven capability in outdoor education. It is a broad degree that allows you to tailor your learning to meet the needs of a variety of career aspirations including teaching, conservation, outdoor instruction and guiding.

During your studies, you’ll engage with the natural landscape to develop an in-depth understanding of sustainability, and what it means to our society now and for the future. You’ll explore flora and fauna and consider social geography with the human influences and impacts on our environment including how decisions on land use are made. You’ll also develop your inter-personal skills and learn effective methods for teaching, guiding and helping other people to engage with and respect our spectacular natural environment.

Essential studies include health and wellness, geography, environmental science, professional practices, leadership and safety. These are mixed with elective theory and practical courses to foster your personal strengths and interests. Elective course options include climate change, adventure therapy, M?ori studies and cultural learning as well as adventure pursuits like rock climbing and ropes courses, white water and sea kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding.

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.

It takes great skill to turn an idea into a successful product in today's market. With this qualification you will learn ways to grow an existing company or establish your own business venture. You will learn how to think about, create and grow ideas from conception through to commercial success. Using leading-edge concepts, methodologies and tools, this qualification has a strong emphasis on combining theory and real world application.

You will study the theory of entrepreneurship, strategic planning for small business and managing for growth and product development. You will also have the chance to undertake an industry project.

Core skills taught include design strategies, graphics, branding and communication, typography, art direction, drawing and illustration. In addition, students will choose three courses from a range of electives, which will enable them to develop complementary skills in particular areas of interest.

As well as studio courses, students will complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies, which will give them developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics and some business skills.

This diploma is designed to equip you with sales and marketing skills that will enable you to contribute to the achievements of a business or organisation. It covers business basics such as communication, human resources, business law, organisational culture, economics, risk management and problem solving, then focuses on sales and marketing aspects of business. This focus will give you knowledge and skills in marketing philosophy, segmentation, targeting and positioning. You'll also gain skills in managing performance, attitudes and buyer behaviour.

This programme is designed to enhance your existing knowledge and skills in the construction industry by equipping you with specialised construction management skill sets. It will enable you to perform with a strong sense of responsibility for your own practice and to be capable of effectively collaborating with other construction-related disciplines. During the programme you'll extend your technical, applied and legal knowledge and critically review practice within the construction industry.

You'll also learn how to improve the productivity of construction projects and advise on construction methodology through the life cycle of a project. An industry project will allow you to apply your research and critical thinking skills.

This programme aims to develop you as an independent animator/film maker or concept artist. Core skills taught include design strategies, digital drawing, 3D modelling and animation, videography, sound design, post-production, motion graphics and concept art. In addition, you'll choose three courses from a range of electives, which will enable you to develop complementary skills in particular areas of interest.

As well as studio courses, you'll complete a group of core courses in academic subjects. These include both professional and contextual studies, which will give you developed communication skills, a background in the history and sociology of creative practices, insights into contemporary professional ethics and some business skills.

You'll learn about leadership principles, how to build and maintain positive staff relationships, and how to monitor and maintain operating procedures and compliance requirements. Key areas covered include the importance of excellent customer service and how to work in collaborative, team-based environments within the restaurant, bar, barista, hotel reception and accommodation contexts. In addition, you'll gain a sound understanding of local and international tourism and the essential contribution tourists make to the hospitality industry. You'll undertake a practical work placement which will give you the opportunity to set personal and professional development goals.

During this three year programme you will study theory, participate in practical sessions and undertaken work placements in your chosen specialisation of sport and exercise science. Your studies will allow you to evaluate, facilitate and/or enhance sport and exercise performance in a wide range of contexts using current scientific principles and technologies.

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.