New Zealand Diploma in Architectural Technology

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

This diploma is designed to enable you to support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of a business or organisation. It covers business basics including accounting, sales and marketing, human resources and risk management, then focuses on administration and technology aspects of business.

This focus will give you the knowledge and skills to be able to plan, organise and manage business administration functions, operations and projects, and to support management. You'll learn how to select, apply and support a broad range of current and emerging business technologies to meet a business's needs, as well as manage, analyse and evaluate administrative systems and processes and recommend improvements. In addition you'll gain skills in problem solving, critical thinking and effective communication.

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.

During the first two years of the programme we will take you through foundation studies in drawing, computer-aided design, building design and related sciences. You will also study building legislation and codes as they relate to architecture.

In your final year you will specialise in architectural technology with a focus on technological subjects such as:

• Construction and Technology
• Architectural Science
• Computer aided design

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.

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.

This programme has been designed to ensure that when you graduate you'll have the knowledge and skills needed for this dynamic industry, and that you can be a flexible, future-focused, creative leader who can adapt to changing circumstances. Your studies will cover: hospitality and tourism trends; marketing strategies for local and international hospitality and tourism contexts; financial management strategies; business analysis for hospitality and tourism; communication; self-management; problem solving; teamwork and planning. In addition, you'll explore New Zealand's heritage and indigenous culture, and gain an understanding of sustainability issues relating to tourism, such as its impact on the environment.

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 program will enable you to become a highly qualified beauty therapist by building on your existing foundation of knowledge and skills. It will equip you to work in a variety of settings and take on greater responsibilities. You'll also become capable of managing or owning your own beauty clinic. Specifically, you'll learn about a range of treatments that will extend your capabilities in advanced skincare, nutrition, microdermabrasion, electrology hair removal, hot stone massage, body wraps and exfoliations, dermal needling and LED light therapy. You'll extend your ability to take on advanced responsibilities and implement professional standards in the areas of health, safety and hygiene - skills that are valued in the industry and will enhance employment opportunities.

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.

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.