Diploma in Software Development

The Level 6 NZ Diploma in Software Development is a 240-credit programme, consisting of 14 x 15 credit courses and one x 30 credit project. A full-time student is expected to complete the programme in up to two years (72 weeks excluding study breaks).

• Analyse requirements and apply appropriate modelling tools, SDLC, and HCI principles, to design and document software solutions for a range of problems in an organisational context, including creating accurate and clear technical and user documentation/resources

• Write and maintain complex programs using design patterns, data structures, and algorithms to meet specifications and software development standards
• Apply a range of software quality assurance techniques, including designing and executing a variety of tests, to verify the correctness of systems in a range of platforms to meet requirements, and document results
• Apply data management and storage technologies to support the software application and the development process to match the application domain
• Integrate security and privacy principles throughout software development to ensure application security and system integrity using current best practice
• Select, justify, and apply architecture, patterns, services, technologies, and tools to implement the software solution/s using current and emerging technologies
• Apply IT technical support concepts and practice to securely manage hardware, software, and networking resources to support end-users and meet security, ethical, and organisational requirements in a software development context
• Apply professional and ethical practices with integrity to meet the industry-wide expectations of a responsible IT professional, in accordance with legal, regulatory, and organisational requirements
• Apply communication, information design, teamwork, personal, and interpersonal skills to enhance working effectiveness, efficiency, and quality outcomes in a variety of situations in an organisational environment
• Apply project managements tools and techniques, using critical thinking, enterprise skills, and knowledge of project planning, management and control, to an IT related project, to analyse and solve problems

NZ Government key information link for students, that provides more information to support your decision making for this programme

Domestic Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 17 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• 42 credits at NCEA Level 3 including:
  • 14 credits in Digital Technologies or Computing AND
     
  • 10 credits in Maths AND
  • 10 credits in English at NCEA Level 2 or above
• If you do not have the above, you must have one of the following:
  • 60% pass in online assessment
  • Certificate in IT Essentials
  • Certificate in Information Technology
  • Diploma in Information Technology - Technical Support
  • Diploma in Web Development and Design
  • Other appropriate NCEA Level 3 or higher qualification or experience as determined by academic staff
  • Equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience as determined by academic staff

International Student Entry Requirements:

• Completed application form
• Passport copy
• Minimum Age: Students must turn 18 within their first year of study at Whitecliffe
• Academic and work experience documentation - e.g. academic transcripts, employer referrals etc.
• IELTS Academic overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 or equivalent
• Statement of purpose
• Diploma in Web Development and Design or equivalent skills and knowledge

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Requirements:

This programme has Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) requirements, we recommend you follow the specifications listed as these will support you to be successful in your studies.

Required IT Specifications:

• Have access to Windows computer/laptop/tablet.

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; 2 GHz or faster processor with SSE 4.2 or later 
• 8 GB RAM (Recommended 16 GB)   
• 250 GB 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)