Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Information Sciences (Information Technology) at Massey University is a practical undergraduate degree for students interested in designing, building and managing technology solutions. The Information Technology major focuses on applying IT to real-world problems, combining technical knowledge with teamwork, systems thinking and the organisational aspects of technology.

Key benefits include:

• Develop skills in analysing, designing and deploying complex information technologies.
• Learn to use professional software tools and understand the administrative and organisational aspects of IT.
• Develop teamwork and professional IT skills.
• Study computer security, Internet technologies, user-interface design, databases, networks and web technologies.
• Gain practical programming experience, including C++, with further exposure to technologies such as Java, Python and SQL through the wider BInfSc curriculum.
• Opportunity to combine Information Technology with Computer Science as a double major or select another recognised minor.
• Massey has industry connections with software companies in North Auckland, with opportunities described by the university including internships, industry projects and holiday work.
• The qualification can provide a pathway to postgraduate study in Information Sciences, subject to the relevant postgraduate admission requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Information Sciences has a flexible structure. Students complete 360 credits through core courses, major courses and electives. Students can change their major up to the beginning of their second year, which gives them an opportunity to explore the common first-year foundation before committing to a specialisation.

For Information Technology, the recommended first-year foundation includes:

• 159101 Applied Programming
• 161111 Applied Statistics or 297101 Statistical Data Science
• 247112 Science and Sustainability for ICT, or an approved alternative
• 158100 Information Technology Principles
• 158120 Web-based IT Fundamentals
• Additional electives to bring the first-year total to eight courses.

Information Technology and Information Systems students specifically require 158100 and 158120 in the first year, rather than the additional programming and mathematics courses required for some of the other BInfSc majors.

Key Information Technology subjects at 200 level include:

• 158225 Systems Analysis and Modelling – capturing, analysing and modelling system requirements using industry-related methods and tools.
• 158235 Networks, Security and Privacy – digital communications, Internet technologies, network design, client-server systems and networked information systems.
• 158244 Software Quality Assurance and Testing.
• 158258 Web Development.

The current regulations also include Information Technology courses covering areas such as:

• Systems analysis and modelling
• Networks, security and privacy
• Web development
• Software quality assurance and testing
• User-interface and related IT topics
• Information technology project work
• Advanced IT applications. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Bachelor of Information Sciences currently offers these majors:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering as a joint major.

Information Technology is a 120-credit major.

Students can also complete a minor. Current BInfSc minor options include:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Business
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Games Programming
• Information Systems
• Information Technology.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 7 bachelor's qualification.
• 360 credits.
• Three years full-time.
• Information Technology major: 120 credits.
• Auckland campus, distance and online, and Tianjin, China listed as locations.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online outside New Zealand.
• Flexible first year with the possibility of changing major before Year 2.
• Optional minor.
• Double-major option, subject to regulations.
• Strong practical emphasis.
• Topics include programming, networking, security, web development, systems analysis and software testing.
• Massey states that its BInfSc has accreditation by IT Professionals.
• Industry links include potential internships, industry projects and holiday work opportunities.

Students need access to a computer:

• Laptop or desktop.
• Mac or Windows.
• Recent operating system.
• Chromebooks are not suitable.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies strong employment opportunities for Information Sciences graduates and lists career areas including:

• Application tester
• Business analyst
• Systems analyst
• Cybersecurity specialist
• Data administrator
• Project manager
• Team leader
• Trainer
• User experience designer
• User support specialist
• Web developer.

The wider BInfSc career list also includes:

• Software developer
• Software architect
• Software engineer
• Analyst-programmer
• Systems programmer
• Database developer or administrator
• Networks and systems administrator
• User requirements engineer. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Current points to note:

• The Bachelor of Information Sciences now includes an Artificial Intelligence major launched for 2026, expanding the degree's ICT-major options.
• Information Technology remains a 120-credit major.
• The overall degree remains 360 credits.
• At least 75 credits must be at 300 level and no more than 165 credits can be at 100 level.
• Students can change their major up to the beginning of their second year.
• Students should select first-year courses carefully because many second- and third-year courses have prerequisites.
• Not all distance courses are necessarily offered by distance every year.
• Field trips, workshops, tutorials and laboratories may be required depending on the courses selected.
• A suitable Mac or Windows computer is required; Chromebooks are not suitable.
• Previous ICT study may qualify for cross-credit, subject to Massey's recognition-of-prior-learning rules. Massey specifically notes that previous ICT diploma study may be eligible for credit toward the BInfSc.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the Information Technology major at Massey's Auckland campus, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to have:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Appropriate medical and travel insurance.
• Acceptable health and character status.
• A genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.