Why Study / Key Benefits

The programme is designed for students who want to develop practical data skills for business decision-making, reporting and entry-level technology roles.

• Beginner-friendly learning: QRC describes the fundamentals course as suitable for learners without an extensive technology background.

• Practical data skills: Learn how to clean, visualise, summarise and interpret data for business use.

• Industry-relevant software: Develop skills using Microsoft Power BI, Tableau and spreadsheet-based data tools.

• Business applications: Explore how data supports sales, profit analysis, human resources and accounting.

• Dashboard reporting: The extended course introduces prompt engineering and dashboard design to improve data retrieval, analysis and visual communication.

• Decision-making: Learn to identify trends and turn raw data into useful information for business decisions.

• Small-group learning: QRC promotes in-person instruction, collaboration, feedback and practical exercises.

• Professional development: Build communication, teamwork, problem-solving and presentation skills alongside technical knowledge.

• Certification preparation: QRC says the course prepares students to sit relevant industry certification examinations, although examination fees are not included.

• Queenstown experience: Students can study at QRC's Queenstown campus and connect with its local technology community.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The course focuses on using data to understand business performance and support decision-making. QRC publishes the following content for the fundamentals certificate.

Certificate in Data Analytics Fundamentals – 40 credits

• Introduction to Data Analytics: Understand the purpose of data analytics and how it supports organisational decision-making.

• The three Cs of Data Analytics: Clean, Visualise and Summarise. Learn the basic workflow for preparing and presenting data.

• Data Analytics in Sales and Profit: Explore how data can be used to analyse commercial performance.

• Data Analytics in Human Resources: Understand the use of data in HR-related analysis and reporting.

• Data Analytics in Accounting: Explore the use of data to interpret financial and accounting information.

• Data preparation: Learn fundamental methods for organising and preparing datasets.

• Data visualisation: Develop charts, dashboards and visual summaries to communicate findings.

• Microsoft Power BI and Tableau: Apply tools to prepare, analyse and present data.

The extended course adds:

• Analysing real-world prompt-engineering scenarios.

• Integrating prompt engineering with Excel for data retrieval.

• Constructing pivot tables or charts using data retrieved through engineered prompts.

• Applying Excel functions to refine and process prompt-driven data.

• Data manipulation strategies to improve prompt-query outputs.

• Principles of dashboard design using prompt-driven data.

• Evaluating existing business dashboards with a focus on prompt integration and visualisation techniques.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme belongs to the technology and data analytics discipline. It is a micro-credential rather than a full bachelor's degree or a broad diploma qualification.

Relevant areas of study include:

• Data analytics fundamentals.

• Business intelligence and reporting.

• Data preparation and visualisation.

• Microsoft Power BI.

• Tableau.

• Excel-based analysis.

• Dashboard design.

• Prompt engineering for data retrieval and reporting.

• Business applications in sales, profit, human resources and accounting.

Programme Highlights

• Short-duration learning: The fundamentals certificate is designed to be completed in 10 weeks.

• Recognised qualification level: The course is listed as a Level 5, 40-credit micro-credential.

• Practical software training: Students use Power BI and Tableau to prepare, analyse and visualise data.

• Business-focused content: Applications include sales, profitability, HR and accounting.

• Extended learning: Students can add a five-credit Prompt Engineering for Dashboard Reporting micro-credential.

• Hybrid option: The extended component combines two in-person days with subsequent online study.

• Beginner accessibility: QRC describes the fundamentals course as suitable for people without extensive prior technology experience.

• Certification preparation: The course prepares students for relevant certification examinations, although certification examination fees are additional.

• Student support: QRC advertises instructor guidance, extra help sessions, small-group learning and career advice.

• Queenstown setting: Students can access the local technology community and QRC's in-person learning environment.

Career Outcomes

QRC identifies possible entry-level career directions in technology and business analytics for graduates of the fundamentals micro-credential.

Potential roles include:

• Entry-level data analyst.

• Entry-level data-driven decision-making specialist.

• Entry-level data-driven sales representative.

• Junior business reporting assistant.

• Junior dashboard or data visualisation assistant.

• Business intelligence support roles, where employer requirements are met.

• Data support roles in corporate, health and education organisations.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

As of 29 October 2026, the most important issue is that QRC's technology course pages contain older dates and fees, despite the main website displaying a 2027 prospectus for its wider programmes.

Applicants should note the following:

• Current intake: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

• Current international tuition: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

• Laptop requirements: QRC specifies a Mac or PC with at least 8 GB of memory and a 128 GB SSD or HDD, with at least 10 GB of free space.

• Graphics hardware: A graphics processor or AI accelerator is recommended but is not required.

• Study schedule: QRC describes weekday lectures finishing before noon, followed by self-directed workshops.

• Accommodation: Shotover Lodge accommodation may be available at an additional cost. Availability and current pricing must be confirmed with QRC.

• Additional certification costs: Certification examinations are not included in the course fee.

• Minimum enrolment: Courses may be subject to minimum participant numbers and dates may change.

• Preparatory study: Applicants without Computing Fundamentals may need to discuss their suitability with the Academic Director.

• International visa eligibility: Students must establish whether their specific course duration and enrolment arrangement permit study under a visitor visa or require a student visa.

International Student Visa Requirements

The appropriate visa depends on the actual course duration, the dates of study and the student's circumstances.

For the 10-week fundamentals certificate

Immigration New Zealand generally allows eligible visitors to study for up to three months in any 12-month period. A visitor visa or NZeTA does not automatically permit every type of study, and the applicable conditions must be checked before enrolment.

Because QRC's 10-week course may have a longer calendar span when a holiday break is included, students should confirm the exact start and end dates with QRC and check with Immigration New Zealand whether their proposed study is permitted under their existing visa or requires a student visa.

For the extended 15-week course

The advertised 15-week course exceeds three months of study duration. An international student planning to undertake it in New Zealand will generally need an appropriate student visa unless another visa category or exemption permits the study.

Where a student visa is required, applicants generally need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.

• Evidence that tuition fees have been paid or can be paid through an accepted arrangement.

• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.

• Evidence of onward travel arrangements or funds to purchase an onward ticket.

• A valid passport and identity documents.

• Evidence of genuine intentions to study.

• Evidence of meeting applicable health and character requirements.

• Appropriate medical and travel insurance for the required period.

• Any additional documents requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Living-fund requirements

For tertiary and other non-compulsory study, Immigration New Zealand currently specifies:

• NZD 20,000 per year for study lasting one year or longer.

• NZD 1,667 per month for study lasting less than one year.

Visa application cost and processing

Immigration New Zealand currently lists the Fee Paying Student Visa at a starting cost of NZD 850, with 80% of applications processed within seven weeks. It recommends applying at least three months before intended travel. These figures can change, and the relevant visa fee and processing time should be checked before applying.

Work rights

• A visitor visa does not automatically permit employment.

• Eligible student visa holders may be permitted to work up to 25 hours per week, depending on their individual visa conditions.

• Students must check their actual visa conditions before accepting employment.

• Work permission should not be assumed simply because a course is full-time or delivered in person.