Graduate Diploma in Business Information Systems

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

This programme is designed to enable you to perform the vital role that accounting plays across all facets of business. You'll investigate business software options, study up-to-date accounting principles and practices, and learn about risk management, ethics, legislation, economic dynamics, supply and demand, sustainable management and strategies for operational efficiency. HR, sales and marketing, innovation and communication are also covered.

You'll also gain a thorough grounding in financial and management accounting with options to specialise in taxation, business financing, or other aspects of the commercial world that interest you most.

IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs. The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT.

In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses.

You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks.

Bachelor of Music covers all the skills and knowledge you need to be a multi-faceted professional musician. It’s built around collaboration - you’ll learn the foundational skills and apply them in group projects and classes that directly mirror the real world of the music industry. The programme focuses on the practical; even the ‘academic’ subjects are taught in a style that relates directly to the practical application of those subjects. More than half the programme content is practical in nature, a higher proportion than most music degrees in New Zealand. With such a focus on the practical, you’re a musician from day one at Ara.

The degree offers three pathways: Music Creation, Music Performance and Music Production. This choice lets you specialise in the area you’re passionate about, while learning alongside and working with musicians from other pathways. Your third-year capstone project allows you to design your own major project with dedicated specialist tutor support.

Applied visual art aims to develop the student as an independent art practitioner or designer. Core skills taught include design strategies, drawing, printmaking and sculptural skills in a range of materials. 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.

You will gain a solid grounding in engineering theory and principles of engineering science including design and drawing electrical, electronics, networks, programming and microcontrollers. Working closely with professional engineers you will apply current and emerging technologies in new situations. Our courses are industry designed and during this program you will develop sound thinking and problem solving skills for work in designing and implementing engineering technology.

This programme looks in-depth at a wide range of retail-related areas, with a focus on strategic decision making around the resources used to develop and sustain a high performing retail business. Areas covered include ownership models, channel management, human capital, technology use and adoption, customer experience and merchandising.

You'll learn how to critically evaluate management and marketing concepts in a range of retailing environments; identify and analyse opportunities for improvement; and create strategies for building and sustaining a retail enterprise.

During the course of this one-year program, you'll acquire the advanced preparation, cookery and presentation techniques to confidently plan and produce a wide range of complex dishes including hot and cold desserts, gateaux and torten. You'll also learn effective methods for planning and monitoring workflow and supplies, and strategies for managing staff and operations to meet performance targets.

To meet Health and Safety requirements, applicants must be physically able to undertake the practical components of the program in an industry emulated environment.

This diploma is designed to enable you to scope, manage and lead projects. It covers business basics including accounting, sales and marketing, human resources and risk management, then focuses on project management.

You'll gain an understanding of project management principles and methods, and what project management tools are available. You'll also learn how to select, apply and support a broad range of current and emerging business technologies to meet a business's needs and how to apply this project management knowledge to real-life scenarios.

Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEngTech) Mechanical Major is a three year degree comprising of core and elective courses with a focus on the design and implementation of engineering technology. The BEngTech (Mechanical) is fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ) and is recognised internationally under the Sydney Accord.

In your first year of study you'll develop core engineering skills in computing, mathematics, management and the engineering sciences, plus some discipline specific topics. This forms the foundation upon which you'll build your degree. Critical thinking, problem solving and innovation will be a key part of your success.

In your second and third years you'll continue to deepen your understanding in mechanical engineering and engage in projects to apply your knowledge. A capstone project is run with close ties to industry, with many projects being sponsored by key industry parties. This offers the chance to test your skills against industry standards in a real-world scenario, while building your professional portfolio and developing important industry contacts.

The program covers a broad range of topics and skills related to web development and design. These include determining client requirements; using frameworks and libraries; user experience design; programming concepts, applications and implementation; configuration; publishing and testing of web solutions. In addition, it covers skills in IT technical support for managing hardware and software resources. You'll also enhance your knowledge of professional, ethical and legal principles and practices, and develop your communication and interpersonal skills.