Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma in Information Sciences (PGDipInfSc) at Massey University is a Level 8 postgraduate qualification focused on advanced information sciences and ICT. It provides flexibility to build a programme around areas such as Computer Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering, while also allowing selected study in Data Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems and Business Management.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced technical and analytical skills for the ICT sector.
• Study advanced topics in computing, software development, data, security and information systems.
• Develop problem-solving and analytical-thinking skills for software-based problems.
• Learn to evaluate policies and processes involved in designing, constructing, testing and maintaining advanced technological solutions.
• Build skills for making strategic technology decisions.
• Select courses according to your professional interests rather than following a single narrowly prescribed pathway.
• The PGDipInfSc courses are the same as the first year of Massey's Master of Information Sciences, providing a direct pathway to the master's with one additional semester of study, subject to the applicable requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The qualification is flexible: students select 120 credits from the approved schedule rather than following a fixed set of compulsory subjects.

Current course areas include:

Computer Science

• 159709 Computer Graphics – 15 credits
  Covers interactive graphics systems, drawing algorithms, curves and surfaces, 3-D object representation, perspective and visual realism, with practical programming.
• 159731 Studies in Computer Vision – 15 credits
  Covers advanced digital image processing, 2D/3D image processing, image transforms and pattern recognition.
• 159735 Studies in Parallel and Distributed Systems – 15 credits
  Includes parallel computing, network security, client-server computing, compression, web applications, wireless and mobile computing.
• 159736 Studies in Operating Systems and Architecture – 15 credits
  Includes concurrency, scheduling, API programming, real-time and embedded systems, fault tolerance and computer architecture.
• 159740 Studies in Intelligent Systems – 15 credits
  Includes knowledge-based systems, artificial intelligence, intelligent agents, natural-language processing, search and constraint satisfaction.

Data Science

• 158739 Data Mastery: Scripting, Databases and Data Privacy – 15 credits
  Covers analytics problem identification, data acquisition and preparation, programming, databases, privacy, security, ethics and communication of results.
• 158755 Data Science – Making Sense of Data – 15 credits
  Covers data mining, machine learning, natural-language processing and practical use of software tools and algorithms.
• 161762 Multivariate Analysis for Big Data – 15 credits
  Covers analysis of large datasets, data visualisation, customer segmentation, factor analysis and latent-class analysis.
• 161777 Practical Data Mining – 15 credits
  Covers data preparation, supervised and unsupervised modelling, association rules, decision trees, neural networks, clustering, text mining and data-mining software.

Information Technology

• 158710 Practical Software Engineering – 15 credits
  Programming and software-engineering principles.
• 158736 Advanced Machine Learning – 15 credits
  Advanced machine-learning algorithms, deep learning and practical application to datasets.
• 158738 Implementation and Management of Systems Security – 15 credits
  Information security, privacy, cryptography and access-control concepts.
• 158740 Location Systems: Spatial Databases, Tools and Applications – 15 credits
  Geographic information systems, spatial databases, location-based web applications and interdisciplinary projects.
• 158741 Location Data: Mapping, Analysis and Visualisation – 15 credits
  Location-data processing, analysis, visualisation, data integration, uncertainty, privacy and applications.

Additional Information Sciences / IT courses include:

• 158750 Information Sciences Research Methods – 15 credits
• 158751 Object-Oriented Software Development – Theory and Practice – 15 credits
• 158757 User Interface Design and Evaluation – 15 credits
• 158780 Information Technology Project Part 1 – 15 credits
• 158781 Information Technology Project Part 2 – 15 credits.

Business options are also available, subject to the qualification's restrictions, with no more than 30 credits permitted from the Business courses listed on the programme page. Current examples include:

• 152700 Organisation and Management – 30 credits
• 157701 Health Information Management – 30 credits.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current PGDipInfSc is awarded without an endorsement.

The programme regulations state that Computer Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering endorsements/joint endorsement exist only under transitional provisions. They should therefore not be treated as standard new-entry specialisations without confirmation from Massey.

The current flexible study areas are:

• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Software Engineering
• Data Science
• Cyber Security
• Information Systems
• Business Management.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120 credits.
• One year full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Auckland campus.
• International students can study the qualification on campus in New Zealand.
• Flexible selection of advanced courses.
• Strong coverage of Computer Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering.
• Additional options in Data Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems and Business Management.
• Courses align with the first year of the Master of Information Sciences.
• Potential progression to the Master of Information Sciences after completing the diploma, with the master's requiring an additional semester according to the programme page.
• Students can potentially graduate with Merit or Distinction where the applicable academic requirements are satisfied.

Career Outcomes

Massey describes the PGDipInfSc as combining theory and practice and states that graduates can run professional projects and use the qualification as a stepping stone towards leadership roles.

Depending on the courses selected, potential career areas include:

• Software development
• Software engineering
• Data science and analytics
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Cyber security
• Information technology
• Information systems
• Database and data-related roles
• Geographic information systems and spatial technology
• User-interface and human-computer interaction
• IT project work and management
• Technology consulting
• ICT leadership and project leadership.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 programme information indicates:

• The PGDipInfSc remains a current Level 8 qualification.
• It is currently listed at Auckland campus for international students.
• The programme is flexible rather than built around a standard formal endorsement.
• Computer Science, Information Technology and Software Engineering endorsements in the regulations are subject to transitional provisions, so they should not be assumed to be available to new students.
• Not all courses are offered every year.
• Some courses are delivered in block mode.
• Some courses have prerequisite, restriction or other enrolment requirements.
• Workshops, block courses, tutorials and laboratories must be attended where required.
• Applicants using the professional-experience admission pathway need at least two years of relevant experience, supported by a CV and portfolio, with an interview if required.

International Student Visa Requirements

Because the current PGDipInfSc is listed as an on-campus qualification for international students, an international student intending to study it physically in New Zealand would normally need an appropriate New Zealand student visa.

The relevant visa is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand currently states:

• Cost: from NZD $850
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years, depending on circumstances
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Application: online
• Apply at least 3 months before intended travel.

Applicants generally need:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence that tuition fees can be paid or are covered by a scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Evidence of good health and character where required.
• Genuine reasons for studying in New Zealand.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their authorised stay.
• Compliance with attendance and academic-progress requirements while holding the visa.