About the programme
The Graduate Diploma in Information Technology is an NZQF Level 7 programme at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) for people who already hold a degree and want to train in IT. It is worth 120 credits and takes 1 year of full-time study.
The diploma offers a thorough grounding in current computer technology and lets students move into a specialist field without completing another bachelor's degree. It suits degree holders, or people with extensive business experience, who want to advance their careers in either a technical or a business direction.
Study plans are built one to one: every student receives an individual course plan based on their needs, interests and career goals. The programme consists of six 15-credit courses plus a 30-credit project course; at least 75 credits must be at Level 7, and the rest can come from Level 5 and 6 courses. Specialising is optional, but NMIT suggests two sets of electives. Networking – ICT Infrastructure covers computer systems architecture, network management, enterprise infrastructure and cloud services. Software Development covers programming, web technologies, database application development and enterprise database solutions. Both routes include research methods and a final project.
The year consists of 36 teaching weeks and 6 weeks of study break. Students can enrol full time or part time, with classes on the Nelson campus. Visual Paradigm development tools are provided for learning through an academic partner programme.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree that includes IT study at Level 5 or above
- Alternative entry: skills for tertiary study gained through study, work or life experience, approved by the Curriculum Manager
- English for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, from a single test report valid for two years, or an alternative from the NZQA table
- Applicants who met NCEA Level 3 University Entrance do not need to prove English proficiency
What you study
- CSA502 Computer Systems Architecture
- NET602 Network Management and NET603 Practical Network Development
- NET701 Enterprise Infrastructures
- NET702 Cloud Services
- SDV601 Software Development and SDV602 Software Development 2
- WEB701 Web Technologies
- DAT602 Database Application Development
- DAT701 Enterprise Database Solutions
- RES701 Research Methods
- PRJ702 Graduate Diploma Project (30 credits)
Post-study work visa
Up to 1 year under the rules effective 16 November 2026 (with a bachelor degree and other conditions)
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 19/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the NMIT website