Program Overview

Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences – GradDipInfSc

The Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences (GradDipInfSc) is intended mainly for graduates in an unrelated area who are seeking to retrain or upskill in the information sciences. Many of the students are studying via distance (online study) because they are working full time.

Overview

Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences will give you the software design and development skills needed to make you a sought-after employee, both in New Zealand, and internationally.

Type of Qualification

• Graduate diploma
• Level of study: Graduate study (NZQF Level 7)
• Time to complete: 1 year full-time (120 credits), part-time available
• Where you can study: Auckland campus, Distance and online
• International students: Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Study Details

• The GradDipInfSc requires 120 credits, usually consisting of 8 courses where 5 of the courses are at 300-level and 3 of the courses are at 200-level.
• This qualification is awarded without a specialisation.
• The GradDipInfSc can be completed in 1 year as a full-time student or over several years as a part-time student. Part-time study is recommended as it gives you time to acquire the pre-requisites and is a good idea if you are working. Most courses are available via distance (online study).

Pre-requisites

• The GradDipInfSc requires you to enrol in 200-level and 300-level courses. You need to make sure you have the correct pre-requisites for the courses you are interested in. Due to the fact that you already have a degree, some of the pre-requisites can be waived.
• Some general guidelines are:
  • Any course in the Information Systems schedule – pre-requisites can be waived
  • Any 200-level course in the Information Technology schedule – pre-requisites can be waived
  • Some 300-level courses in the Information Technology schedule – pre-requisites can be waived
  • Any 200-level or 300-level course in Computer Science or Data Science – the pre-requisites are NOT waived due to the need for programming knowledge.

Courses and Specialisations

Computer Science and Software Engineering Courses

• Course code: 158.201 - Algorithms and Data Structures (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.202 - Object-Oriented Programming (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.203 - Embedded Programming (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.204 - Software Engineering Design and Construction (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.205 - Programming Language Paradigms (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.206 - Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.207 - Mobile Application Development (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.208 - Programming Languages, Algorithms and Concurrency (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.209 - Operating Systems and Networks (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.210 - Advanced Web Development (15 credits)

Data Science Courses

• Course code: 159.201 - Database Development (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.202 - Data Analysis (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.203 - Regression Modelling (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.204 - Reproducible Visualisation for Statistics (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.205 - Data Mining (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.206 - Data Wrangling and Machine Learning (15 credits)
• Course code: 159.207 - Applied Machine Learning and Big Data Processing (15 credits)

Games Programming Courses

• Course code: 158.211 - Programming for Computer Graphics (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.212 - Games Programming (15 credits)
• Course code: 158.213 - Advanced Games Programming (15 credits)

Information Technology Courses

• Course code: 157.201 - Systems Analysis and Modelling (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.202 - Networks, Security and Privacy (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.203 - Software Quality Assurance and Testing (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.204 - Web Development (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.205 - Software Construction (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.206 - The Internet of Things and Cloud Computing (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.207 - Professionalism in the Information Sciences (15 credits)
• Course code: 157.208 - User Experience Design (15 credits)

Information Systems Courses

• Course code: 152.201 - Management, Analytics and Decision Making (15 credits)
• Course code: 152.202 - Social Media Networks for Business (15 credits)
• Course code: 152.203 - Technology Trends for Organisations (15 credits)
• Course code: 152.204 - Organisational Knowledge Management (15 credits)
• Course code: 152.205 - Technology Governance and Risk Management (15 credits)
• Course code: 152.206 - Managing Technology Projects and Programmes (15 credits)

Fees and Scholarships

• 2026 tuition fees:
  • Domestic students: $8,785
  • International students: $41,010
• The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits).
• You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
• The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students.

Careers and Job Opportunities

There is huge demand for people with information sciences skills. Information Sciences graduates continue to find employment even during global recessions when graduates in other fields struggled. Today there are more employment opportunities in information communication technology (ICT) than any other sector in New Zealand. The same often applies internationally.

Careers for Information Sciences Graduates

• Software developer
• Analyst-programmer
• Systems analyst
• Business analyst
• Software tester
• User requirements engineer
• Database developer or administrator
• Networks and systems administrator
• Project manager
• Web developer

Related Study Options

• Artificial Intelligence – Bachelor of Information Sciences
• Computer Science – Bachelor of Science
• Computer Science – Bachelor of Information Sciences
• Master of Information Sciences – MInfSc
• Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences – PGDipInfSc

Entry Requirements

• Admission to Massey: All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
• Specific requirements: To enter the Graduate Diploma in Information Sciences you will have been awarded or qualified for a university degree or equivalent qualification.
• English language requirements: To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
• Prior learning, credit and exemptions: For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions, review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations.