There are no mandatory prerequisites for the Diploma in Software Development; however, learners enrolling are recommended to hold one of the following qualifications:

• NCEA Level 2 or 3 with credits in mathematics or digital technologies

• Any other IT Diploma with core subjects in Digital Technologies

International students must have an appropriate level of English proficiency for the level at which they intend to study – IELTS Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5

DOMESTIC TUITION FEE: $9,335 per year or $18,670 for two years  COURSE COST: $350 per year or $700 for two years.

From 1 January 2018, tertiary education will be one year fees-free for eligible first time tertiary students:
People who are citizens, or a resident in NZ for at least 3 years, or refugees and;
Have been enrolled at school in 2017 or 2018 or have not undertaken previous full-time tertiary study of more than half a year, except while they were at school.

INTERNATIONAL TUITION FEE: $17,000.00

The course fees for the Diploma in Software Development are fixed for 2018. Over 90% of our students will arrange a student loan from Study-link to pay for this. We can help you arrange this if required.

Techtorium is one of New Zealands highest performing IT training providers. As an NZQA Category 1 Provider, all students have access to student loans via the Studylink Student Loan scheme. For more information on how to apply for a Studylink Student Loan with Techtorium, please click here.

Below is an outline of the course start dates for the Diploma in Software Development. These are subject to change. For more information please call 0800 529 7523

New full-time students are required to attend an induction at Techtorium before the Term starts.

Education Pathways

Graduates of this qualification may progress to a computing degree, or specialised qualification such as software testing or software security.

This qualification may also equip learners to attempt optional industry certifications at the appropriate level and area of specialty. This qualification may provide an education pathway from:

•  NCEA Level 2 or 3 with appropriate credits in mathematics and digital technologies subjects
•  New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) [Ref: 2594] – New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology (Level 5) [Ref: 2595]
•  New Zealand Diploma in Web Development and Design (Level 5) [Ref: 2598]
•  Appropriate international certifications in software development Graduates of qualifications Ref: 2595 or 2598, who go on to further learning towards this qualification may be granted credit recognition and may only need to demonstrate competence for the additional skills and knowledge required.

Employment Pathways

We have a team of Employment Pathways Managers who’s primary role is to bridge the gap between our  New Zealand Diploma in Software Development and the IT industry.

Software developers may progress to become senior developers, software architects, or IT managers.

Software developers can specialise in the development, maintenance or enhancement of certain programs and software. They can also work in a range of areas including:

• website development
• computer games
• film and animation.

Students who have completed this computer course will have the skills and knowledge to enter employment in development or testing roles, in a range of organisational contexts.  These roles may require fundamental coding, scripting, and testing skills, and are less likely to require significant architecture and design skills.

Graduates may also be employed in other roles that use programming skills, such as teaching, small business projects; or be self-employed. Other key learning outcomes include:

• Analyse requirements, design and document software solutions for a range of problems in an organisational context.Write and maintain programs using design patterns, data structures and algorithms to meet specifications.
• Apply a range of software quality assurance techniques to verify correctness of systems.
• Apply data management and storage technologies to support the software application and the development process
• Establish application security by integrating security principles throughout software development to ensure system integrity
• Choose, justify and apply architecture, technologies, and tools, to implement the software solution.
• Apply IT technical support concepts and practice to manage hardware and software resources to meet organisational requirements in a software development context.
• Apply project management tools and techniques to an IT related project, to analyse and solve problems.
• Apply communication, information design, personal, and interpersonal skills, clearly and professionally to enhance working effectiveness, efficiency, and quality outcomes in an organisational environment.

The purpose of this course:

The purpose of this qualification is to provide Aotearoa New Zealand with graduates who have attained a range of Information Technology (IT) knowledge, specialist practices and technical skills in software development.  It will prepare people for employment in an entry-level developer or tester role in a range of organisational contexts, or to proceed to further study.

The qualification is designed for people seeking to focus on one or more application domains, such as general Application Development, Web Development, Games Development, and Mobile Applications Development.

Graduates will be capable of operating within applicable professional standards and practice both as part of a team and independently under broad supervision.  They will contribute to software development in Aotearoa New Zealand, and be internationally relevant.

Businesses, organisations and communities will benefit from having graduates with programming skills including software design, coding, and testing, in all sectors of the economy and society.

Graduate Profile:

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

– Analyse requirements, design and document software solutions for a range of problems in an organisational context.
– Write and maintain programs using design patterns, data structures and algorithms to meet specifications.
– Apply a range of software quality assurance techniques to verify correctness of systems.
– Apply data management and storage technologies to support the software application and the development process.
– Establish application security by integrating security principles throughout software development to ensure system integrity.
– Choose, justify and apply architecture, technologies, and tools, to implement the software solution.
– Apply IT technical support concepts and practice to manage hardware and software resources to meet organisational requirements in a software development context.
– Apply project management tools and techniques to an IT related project, to analyse and solve problems.
– Behave with integrity as a responsible Information Technology professional to contribute positively to society.
– Apply communication, information design, personal, and interpersonal skills, clearly and professionally to enhance working effectiveness, efficiency, and quality outcomes in an organisational environment.

Below is the full course outline. This is subject to change. For more information on the most current course outline please contact Techtorium on 0800 529 7523.

SEMESTER 1: Application Design and Development – Core Programming Skills

• Write programs using multiple object oriented programming languages using C#, JavaScript, PHP
• Learn to migrate projects across multiple programming languages and architectures using various tools.
• Deploy software using various deployment tools as a part of the software development life cycle.
• Design solutions using effective source control procedures.
• Write effective Program maintenance techniques.

SEMESTER 2: Software Testing – Applying the Skills

• Understand and apply software testing life cycle using various software development models, test levels and test types.
• Analyse and Design static tests using static analysis and tools.
• Use various testing techniques like white box, black box, experience based tests to implement system tests, usability testing and user acceptance tests in a range of environments and for multiple devices.
• Explore various storage technologies including NAS, SAN, and RAID.
• Implement database storage using MySQL and SQL Server 2015
• Implement Resilience and Quality for Applications and Runtime Environments
• Implement Best Practices for Converting Requirements to Secure Software Designs
• Analyse, compare, select and justify use of different technologies and tools for software development.
• Understand computer and networking hardware components and their usage.
• Create simple peer-peer and client-server networks
• Install / Deploy and configure various operating systems such as Windows 7/8.1/10
• Use various systems test tools to troubleshoot and repair PC systems. Implement Hardware and software diagnostic testing, maintenance, technical and customer support across a range of devices

SEMESTER 3: Enterprise Software Development – System Design Skills

• Design and model multilevel business processes using object core, business artefacts, hetero and homogenous business models and xml data representation.
• Implement data analysis using multilevel business process automation, business intelligence and business performance.
• Apply software estimation and metrics using size related metrics and function related metrics
• Build an effective UI and building a case for an effective UX.
• Apply core ADO.net to implement data solutions in your application.

SEMESTER 4: Advanced Programming and Project Management – Business, Project Management, Professionalism

• Identify the definitions of a project and the task of management within a range of projects including critical thinking, managerial complexity, organizational strategy and processes.
• Apply professional and ethical practices in the workplace, addressing ethical decision making approaches and processes.
• Apply Six‐Step Cycle for Interpersonal and Technical Communications
• Apply various aspects of interpersonal skills including customer service, leadership, teamwork, negotiating, self-management, social and multicultural awareness, relationship and conflict management.
• Implementing Agile, using Scrum, XP, Lean and Kanban
• Implementing effective DevOps solutions

The enrolment process is quite simple. If you have decided that you want to join us here at Techtorium on the Diploma in Software Development, please follow these steps:

1. Go to www.techtorium.ac.nz/enrolment and complete the Online Application Form.

2. One of our Pathways Managers will be in touch to arrange a time for you to interview with the Principal.

3. If you are passionate about IT and if you meet the pre-requisites, you will be accepted onto the course.

4. Complete Enrolment Form