About the programme
The Master of Information Technology is an NZQF Level 9 programme at Whitecliffe worth 180 credits that builds on a three-year IT bachelor's degree and prepares graduates for specialist and leadership roles. Students choose one of two specialisations: Cyber Security or Data Science.
It is a taught master's that ends with a substantial project set in a practical or research context. Full-time students complete it in three trimesters (one year), part-time students in six (two years). In the first trimester both streams take core courses in research methods and technology management, the lead course of their specialisation and one elective from data analysis, machine learning or ubiquitous computing. The second trimester covers special topics plus either information security standards and operations or data science introduction, management and practice. The third trimester is dedicated to the project.
Some specialist courses are 85% aligned with industry certifications, so students can work towards credentials such as Ethical Hacking, Network Defender, Digital Forensics and Chief Information Security Officer while they study. Teaching staff include PhD-qualified professors and senior lecturers alongside practitioners certified by EC-Council, Cisco, ISACA, Microsoft and CompTIA.
The programme runs at Whitecliffe's Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch campuses. Students bring their own laptop meeting Whitecliffe's specifications (Windows, at least 16 GB RAM; Chromebooks are not supported). Graduates with strong results can progress to Level 10 doctoral study.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in IT or equivalent with a B average in the final year, or an IT bachelor's honours degree.
- Alternatively: an IT bachelor's degree followed by relevant professional experience, or demonstrated equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
- A qualification is treated as equivalent if two of software development, web development, network engineering and information systems security were studied at an advanced level; entry is at the Programme Head's discretion.
- International applicants must turn 18 during their first year of study.
- English: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent; NZ visa requirements also apply.
What you study
- IT8101 Research Methods and Skills (core)
- IT8102 Technology Management (core)
- IT8103 Cyber Security (lead course for Cyber Security)
- IT8104 Data Analysis (lead course for Data Science)
- IT8105 Machine Learning (elective)
- IT8106 Ubiquitous Computing (elective)
- IT8107 Information Security Standards and Operations (Cyber Security)
- IT8108 Data Science Introduction, Management and Practice (Data Science)
- IT8109 Special Topics (core)
- IT9115 Project
Careers after graduation
- Cyber Security Manager, Consultant or Analyst
- Security Operations Centre (SOC) Manager
- Penetration Tester, SIEM Administrator or Network Security Engineer
- Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC) Consultant
- Technology Solutions Architect or Senior Technology Advisor
- Senior Data Scientist, Data Architect or Big Data Engineer
- BI Engineer, BI Solutions Architect or Data Visualization Developer
- Analytics Manager or Statistician
Post-study work visa
Up to 3 years
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 20/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the Whitecliffe website