Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Information and Communications Technologies (Software Engineering) at Ara is designed for students who want to develop, test and deploy software applications for modern businesses. It combines programming and software engineering fundamentals with practical projects and current industry approaches.

Key benefits include:

• Learn programming and application development using multiple languages and technologies.

• Develop skills in object-oriented programming, web applications and server-side programming.

• Understand software architecture, design, testing and debugging.

• Gain exposure to Agile software development, DevOps and cloud-based deployment.

• Work collaboratively on practical software projects.

• Develop the ability to contribute across the software development lifecycle, from planning and design through to testing and deployment.

• Complete a substantial work-integrated learning project in the final year, applying technical knowledge in a practical or industry setting.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The qualification is structured across Levels 5, 6 and 7. The current programme page lists the following course areas. The 2026 handbook identifies 255 compulsory credits and 105 elective credits; therefore, the full elective selection should be confirmed with Ara for the student's intended Software Engineering pathway.

Year 1 – Level 5

The following eight foundation courses are listed:

• IT Practitioner Fundamentals (BCIT501) – 15 credits

• Introduction to Programming (BCIT502) – 15 credits

• Operating Systems (BCIT503) – 15 credits

• Introduction to Networks (BCIT504) – 15 credits

• Data Engineering Fundamentals (BCIT505) – 15 credits

• Introduction to Software Engineering (BCIT506) – 15 credits

• Database Design (BCIT507) – 15 credits

• Cloud Technologies and Internet of Things (BCIT508) – 15 credits

Year 2 – Level 6

The programme handbook identifies the following four compulsory courses:

• Introduction to AI and Machine Learning (BCIT601) – 15 credits

• Cybersecurity Essentials (BCIT602) – 15 credits

• IT Professional Skills and Practices (BCIT603) – 15 credits

• IT Solutions Project (BCIT604) – 15 credits

The programme webpage also lists the following elective subjects:

• Web Application Development (BCIT605) – 15 credits

• Website Development and Deployment (BCIT606) – 15 credits

• Advanced Database Concepts (BCIT607) – 15 credits

• Network Infrastructure and Cloud (BCIT608) – 15 credits

• Routing and Switching (BCIT609) – 15 credits

• Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation (BCIT610) – 15 credits

• Network Security (BCIT611) – 15 credits

• Data Engineering Technologies (BCIT612) – 15 credits

• Data Engineering Development Platforms (BCIT613) – 15 credits

• Data-Driven Decision Making in IT (BCIT614) – 15 credits

• Application Development with C# .NET (BCIT615) – 15 credits

• Application Development with Java (BCIT616) – 15 credits

• Server-Side Programming – PHP (BCIT617) – 15 credits

• DevOps (BCIT618) – 15 credits

• Wireless Local Area Networks (BCIT619) – 15 credits

Year 3 – Level 7

The current programme page lists:

• IT Integration – Frameworks and Controls (BCIT701) – 15 credits

• Advanced IT Solutions Project (BCIT702) – 15 credits

• Work Integrated Learning Project (BCIT703) – 45 credits

• Advanced Programming (BCIT704) – 15 credits

• Special Topic (BCIT705) – 15 credits

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Bachelor of Information and Communications Technologies has four pathways:

• Software Engineering

• Network Engineering

• Data Engineering

• General

The Software Engineering pathway focuses on:

• Software development and programming.

• Object-oriented programming.

• Application development.

• Web and server-side development.

• Software architecture and design.

• Software testing and debugging.

• Agile software development.

• DevOps and deployment.

• Cloud-based software solutions.

• Advanced programming and software project development.

Programme Highlights

• A 360-credit Level 7 bachelor's degree.

• Three years of full-time study, with part-time options listed by Ara.

• Foundation-level programming, computing and software engineering subjects.

• Exposure to application development, databases, cloud computing and cybersecurity.

• Software-development-related electives, including C# .NET, Java, PHP, web application development and DevOps.

• A final-year 45-credit Work Integrated Learning Project.

• At least 300 hours of work-integrated learning required by the programme handbook.

• Development of communication, collaboration, professional practice and problem-solving skills.

• Learning outcomes include ethical decision-making, professional communication, working effectively in diverse teams and understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the New Zealand ICT context.

Career Outcomes

Ara identifies the following career opportunities for graduates:

• Software developer.

• Application developer.

• Web developer.

• Systems analyst.

• Software test analyst.

• DevOps engineer.

Potential progression opportunities include:

• Progression towards senior software developer roles.

• Moving into software quality assurance.

• Further technical specialisation through additional study or professional certifications.

Further study options at Ara include:

• Other pathways within the Bachelor of Information and Communications Technologies.

• New Zealand Diploma in Cybersecurity.

• Graduate Diploma in Business Transformation and Change.

• Graduate Diploma in Project Management.

• Electrical and Electronics programmes.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme page lists February 2027 as the next intake, with a start date of 15 February 2027.

• The programme page states that the degree is available for student visa applicants.

• Ara's 2026 ICT handbook is the latest detailed handbook located during this research. It includes the programme regulations and course matrix for students commencing in 2026.

• The handbook requires 360 credits, including 255 compulsory credits and 105 elective credits.

• A minimum of 300 work-integrated learning hours is required.

• The maximum completion period stated in the handbook is six years.

• The handbook defines satisfactory progress for an international learner as 100% attendance and successful completion of at least 75% of courses.

• Students are expected to attend classes punctually, participate in learning and assessment activities, and comply with classroom and laboratory safety requirements.

• Ara's academic-integrity policy permits the use of generative AI for learning, but students must not submit AI-generated output as their own assessment work. Any AI-derived material used must be appropriately acknowledged and referenced.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students planning to study this full-time, three-year degree in Christchurch will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand. Ara's programme page indicates that the qualification may be available for a student visa, but Immigration New Zealand makes the final decision.

Main visa requirements

Applicants generally need:

• An offer of place from Ara, an approved education provider.

• Evidence that they can pay the required tuition fees, or evidence of an acceptable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses.

• Evidence of acceptable medical and travel insurance for their stay.

• Evidence of good health and character, where required.

• A genuine intention to study.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

• Any additional documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Living-cost financial requirement

• For tertiary study lasting one year or longer, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of NZD $20,000 for each year of study.

• For study lasting less than one year, the requirement is NZD $1,667 per month.

• For this three-year degree, students should plan to show the required living funds for the first year and a credible plan for financing subsequent years.

• Evidence may include bank statements, an acceptable sponsor or guarantor, an education loan, or scholarship documentation.

• Prepaid accommodation may be deducted from the required living-funds amount where Immigration New Zealand's rules permit it.

• For applicants applying from India or elsewhere in South Asia, Immigration New Zealand specifies that only immediate family members can provide sponsorship or a financial undertaking. Immediate family includes a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

Visa cost and processing

• Fee Paying Student Visa application cost: from NZD $850.

• Processing time: Immigration New Zealand states that 80% of applications are processed within seven weeks.

• Maximum possible visa length: up to four years, although the actual visa period depends on the study paid for, passport validity and individual circumstances.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before the intended travel date.

Work rights

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the student's course and individual visa conditions.

• Work rights are not automatic. Students must check the conditions on their individual eVisa or visa approval letter before accepting employment.

Attendance, academic progress and insurance

• Students must attend the programme specified on their visa and make satisfactory academic progress.

• Ara's 2026 ICT handbook defines satisfactory progress for international learners as 100% attendance and successful completion of at least 75% of courses.

• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance from the start of their course until their visa expires.

• Immigration New Zealand may require medical examinations or chest X-rays depending on the applicant's circumstances and length of stay.

• Police certificates are generally required if the applicant is aged 17 or older and their total stay in New Zealand will be 24 months or longer, subject to Immigration New Zealand's rules and exemptions.