Program Overview

Diploma in Computer and Information Sciences

The Diploma in Computer and Information Sciences is a great choice if you're not sure what to expect from university or from studying computing, or missed out on getting into your dream degree. You'll take the same courses as our first-year bachelor's degree students, and become familiar with different computing subjects in a supportive environment with additional academic and student support.

Programme Details

• Programme code: AK2006
• Level: 5
• Points: 120
• Duration: 1 year full-time / part-time available
• Campus: City Campus
• Starts: 13 Jul 2026, 22 Feb 2027, 12 Jul 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $9,411.60 (for 120 points) ($8,190 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
• International: $42,621.60 (for 120 points) ($41,400 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
  • Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee.
  • The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year.
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition.
  • Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
  • Fees-free study may be available for domestic students.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• If you have New Zealand qualifications:
  • University Entrance OR
  • 42 NCEA level 3 credits, including UE literacy and numeracy, with:
    • 10 credits in each of three approved subjects OR
    • 12 credits in each of two approved subjects and 14 credits across two further subjects
• If you have qualifications from another country: See entry requirements for students from other countries.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in Writing and a minimum of 5.0 in other bands, or equivalent.

What You Study

You'll explore programming, computer networks, IT project management, database design, and other computing subjects, and improve your academic knowledge and study skills to give you the confidence for further study. The courses you study are from the first year of the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences.

Courses

• In your first semester you study:
  • COMP500 Programming Concepts and Techniques
  • COMP501 Computing Technology in Society
  • DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practices
  • MATH503 Mathematics for Computing
• In your second semester you study:
  • COMP503 Object Oriented Programming
  • COMP504 Networks and Internet
  • COMP507 IT Project Management
  • COMP508 Database System Design

Related Programmes

• Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences: Because you study the same first-year courses as our bachelor's degree students, you can move into the second year of the Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences once you've completed this diploma.

Student Testimonials

• Yao Zhu: For Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences student Yao Zhu, choosing to study computing wasn't a difficult decision.
• Hafsa Suhail Naqvi: Hafsa Suhail Naqvi says she appreciated the opportunity to gradually understand computer science through the Diploma in Computer and Information Sciences.