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Applied Information Technology

Certificate in Information Technology Essentials

The programme combines both theory and practice and focuses on teaching a range of concepts and systems including computer hardware and software, business analysis, operating systems, applications, networks, database and user interface design.

 

This programme is a great place to start learning about the IT industry. It has a practical, hands-on focus which will provide you with the transferable skills and knowledge to be employed in a range of entry-level support roles in an organisation.

Certificate in IT Essentials, Certificate, Applied Information Technology, Technology, IT, Whitecliffe IT programme, Programme, Whitecliffe, Technology, Information Technology, Study, Level 5 programme

Outline

The practical programme is designed to teach fundamental knowledge and transferrable skills that can be applied to entry-level roles and further study.

This programme blends theory and practice to deliver a focus on key concepts and systems such as computer hardware and software, business analysis, operating systems, applications, networks, database management, and user interface design.

Duration

18 weeks

Full-time

Key Dates

February 2025 Intake

17/02/2025

 

 

Available Locations

Manukau Campus

Costs

Fees free may apply.
All 2025 fees are subject to change and regulatory

Domestic: $3,545 + $150 Student Services Levy

International: $12,000 + $150 Student Services Levy

Whether you're aiming to build a strong foundation or advance your skills, this programme equips you with knowledge and practical experience for application to on-going tertiary study.

Further study options:

Level 5 Certificate in Information Technology
Level 5 Diploma in IT: Technical Support
Level 5 Diploma in Web Development + Design
Level 6 Diploma in Software Development
Level 7 Bachelor of Applied Information Technology Certificate in IT Essentials, Certificate, Applied Information Technology, Technology, IT, Whitecliffe IT programme, Programme, Whitecliffe, Technology, Information Technology, Study, Level 4 programme

Academic Calendar

2025 Academic Calendars

Key Student Information

NZ Government key information link for students.

Qualification

Certificate in Information Technology Essentials
NZQA Level 4 (60 Credits)

Where could this programme take you?

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

 

  • Apply essential knowledge and concepts of computer hardware, operating systems, applications, and networks to provide support for hardware and software resources
  • Apply knowledge and concepts of business analysis, database, and user experience to provide a foundation for supporting organisational information systems requirements; and they can contribute to a user interface design using web design concepts and knowledge
  • Apply software development knowledge to provide a foundation for developing applications, and apply project management and planning tools to meet the requirements of specified IT briefs
  • Communicate clearly and professionally to maintain relationships and achieve objectives in a range of contexts within the IT industry, including applying appropriate professional, ethical, and legal principles and practices to comply with legal and organisational requirements. This helps provide a foundation for an IT career.

 

Junior IT Support Roles
Junior Helpdesk Roles
Junior Programming Roles
Junior Development Roles

Featured student work

Featured Alumni

Admission Requirements

Applicants must

  • Turn 17 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
  • Have gained one of the following qualifications:

NZ Certificate in Computing
(User fundamentals, Level 2, Ref: 2591)

NZ Certificate in Computing
(Intermediate, Level 3, Ref: 2591)

NZ Certificate in Computing
(Advanced user, Level 4, Ref 2593).

OR

  • Demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills, or experience

International applicants must

  • Turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
  • Hold a New Zealand or overseas qualification assessed by NZQA to be equivalent to any stated above.
  • Have achieved prior to enrolling an IELTS General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower 5, or equivalent (whitecliffe.ac.nz/english-proficiency-outcome)
  • Meet New Zealand visa entry requirements
    whitecliffe.ac.nz/international-students

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Requirements:

Recently we have found ourselves working remotely due to Covid-19, we recommend that you have your own device to support your studies. The following specifications are intended to help you make the best choice of laptop, desktop, or tablet for the job.

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; 2GHz or faster processor with SSE4.3 or later
  • 8GB RAM (Recommended 16GB)
  • 250GB 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)

Faculty Members

The vast majority of our team have extensive experience within their respective industries. This is key in helping us ensure our graduates have the real-world skills they need for a successful career and bright future.

Amal Das, Lecturer, Information Technology, Whitecliffe

Amal Das

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Amal is a Microsoft as well as Cisco Certified Trainer with wide experience in all aspects of the ...

Elaine Xu, Lecturer, Information Technology, Faculty, employee, staff, Whitecliffe, team, member

Elaine Xu

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Elaine joined the School of Information Technology at Whitecliffe in May 2024, where she teaches ...

Pinal Shah

Pinal Shah

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Pinal Shah is a seasoned educator, researcher, author, and creative professional with over 15 yea ...

Dr Muhammad Azam, Head of School, Applied Information Technology, IT, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Dr Muhammad Azam

Head of School

Applied Information Technology

Muhammad is an experienced computer engineer with a demonstrated history of successfully completi ...

Dr Shahbaz Pervez Chattha, Programme Leader, IT, Applied Information Technology, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

Dr Shahbaz Pervez Chattha

Programme Leader

Applied Information Technology

Shahbaz Chattha is an expert Computer Engineer with a demonstrated history of successfully comple ...

John Williams, Lab Assistant, Applied Information Technology, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member

John Williams

Lab Assistant

Applied Information Technology

John has been an IT Trainer for over 30 years. John joined Whitecliffe as a Lab Assistant in 2023 ...

Dr Simon Yusuf Enoch, Lecturer, Applied Information Technology, IT, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member, Wellington Campus

Dr Simon Yusuf Enoch

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Simon holds a PhD in Computer Science (specializing in Cybersecurity) from the University of Cant ...

Jun Han, Lecturer, Information Technology, Certificate in IT Essentials, Manukau campus, Faculty, Whitecliffe employee, Whitecliffe staff, Whitecliffe team, Whitecliffe member, teacher

Jun Han

Lecturer

Applied Information Technology

Jun Han teaches our Certificate in IT Essentials on our Manukau campus. She joined Whitecliffe la ...