All over the world, it's becoming increasingly common for IT and computer science professionals to have micro-credentials, certificates, and qualifications other than an undergraduate degree in computer science.
This is because there are so many things you can do with IT and computer science that specialisation is almost essential.
However, that doesn't mean that a university course isn't right for some students, especially those who are definitely set on working in specific areas.
There are lots of career opportunities for those who choose to study IT or computer science at university and if you're thinking about joining them, you'll need to pick which university you'd like to go to.
Here are some of the best universities in New Zealand for computer science and a quick guide to what they offer as part of their courses.
Lincoln University
Lincoln is one of the smaller universities in New Zealand and was first founded in 1878 as the School of Agriculture of Canterbury University College.
It gained university status in 1990 and now offers a broader range of courses while still focusing mainly on agricultural courses.
With no specific undergraduate computer science or IT courses, there is a Master of Applied Computing and several modules including:
- Advanced Database Management
- Advanced Programming
- Computing and communication
- Neural Networks Applications
- Problem Solving and Data Management
- Software Development
- User Engagement and Business Analysis
- User Experience
University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is a public research university in Hamilton with an additional campus in Tauranga.
The university is ranked #1 in New Zealand for research, one of the top 100 universities in the world in terms of impact, and within the top 500 globally with several subject areas being within the top 300.
There are multiple qualifications available in computer science including bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph. D.s, diplomas, graduate diplomas, postgraduate diplomas, and graduate and postgraduate certificates.
The Bachelor of Computer Science, for example, is a three-year undergraduate course that includes object-oriented programming, data structures and algorithms, web development, practical networking and cyber security, and mobile computing and software architecture.
University of Otago
The University of Otago is a public research collegiate university in Dunedin. This academic institute is over 150 years old and comes highly recommended for computer science.
Undergraduate options include:
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Computer Science
- Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Computer Science
Postgraduate options at the University of Otago include:
- Master of Applied Science (MappSc) in Computer Science
- Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Computer Science
- Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Computer Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Computer Science
As you can see, there are lots of course options and students can study modules covering Foundations of Computer Science, Programming for Scientists, Computer Programming, Algorithms and Data Structures, Software Development, Web, Databases, and Networks, and Computer Systems.
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury offers plenty of computer science qualifications including certificates, diplomas, bachelor's degrees, graduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates, master's degrees, and Ph.D.s.
At an undergraduate level, students can study computer science alongside other subjects and opt to either major or minor in it.
Those who major in computer science will obviously study modules covering computer science like computer programming and formal languages and compilers, but they'll also be expected to study some mathematics modules as part of their course.
Students wishing to minor in computer science can do so alongside commerce, health sciences, product design, psychological science, science, sport, or a choice of one of several other majors.
Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is one of New Zealand's largest universities and one that comes highly recommended for students interested in computer science.
The Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences allows students to major in computer science, data science, digital services, networks and cybersecurity or software development with the option to add a second major.
After graduating, students also have options to stay at AUT to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Computer and Information Sciences, Postgraduate Diploma in Computer and Information Sciences, or Master of Computer and Information Sciences.
One of the main advantages of AUT is that students have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing the content of their course so if you have a pretty clear idea of what you want to do in computer sciences, this university could be a good choice.
Massey University
Massey University has campuses in Palmerston North, Auckland, and Wellington, but students interested in computer science will have to study in Palmerston North or Auckland. There are also distance and online options for the Computer Science – Bachelor of Science.
Massey University specialises in C and C++ programming languages, but students can also learn Java, Python, SQL, and other programming languages.
Massey University's computer science major also allows students to learn about data structures and algorithms, computer graphics, machine learning, web applications, computer networking, and mobile applications.
Victoria University Wellington
Victoria University Wellington is one of the highest-ranked universities in New Zealand for computer science, software engineering, and software development. Students majoring in computer science can also specialise in cybersecurity or artificial intelligence.
Like the other universities in this article, the undergraduate degree in computer science from Victoria University Wellington is a three-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification.
Graduate options in computer science include the Graduate Diploma in Science (GdipSc) and the Graduate Certificate in Science (GCertSc). There are also master's options in computer science and artificial intelligence.
The University of Auckland
Last but not least, we have the University of Auckland. The University of Auckland is one of the top 200 universities in the world overall and one of the top 200 universities in the world for computer science.
The computer science courses at the University of Auckland cover data structures and management, algorithms and programming languages, computer architecture and system software, applications, data communications, networks and hypermedia, and computability and complexity theory.
In addition to computer science, there are also courses in computational biology, data science, digital security, information and technology management, and logic and computation. There are also postgraduate and doctoral options for students once they graduate.
Online Computer Science Degrees
Don't forget that many of the above universities offer online and distance learning options if you don't or can't attend lessons on campus.
In fact, a lot of universities around the world offer online and distance learning so you can actually study computer science degrees from universities all over the world.
This also means that you can look to universities whose course fees are lower than those in New Zealand (if you'd prefer to save some money on your degree) or opt for universities whose courses are better suited to what you want to learn.
Don't forget that distance learning is a great option for motivated students, but not particularly well-suited to students who prefer to get more academic support from faculty members.
How to Find the Right Computer Science Course
Before you pick a university and a computer science course, you need to think carefully about exactly why you want to study computer science, what you expect to do with it, and which of the universities and their courses are likely to work best with you and how you like to learn.
A highly-ranked university doesn't always guarantee that you'll have the best time on your course so you must take this into consideration when choosing and applying to courses.
It may turn out that you don't even need an undergraduate degree in computer science for what you want to do so make sure you check the requirements for the jobs you'd like to do. You might discover that you can get a shorter and cheaper qualification and still land your dream job in computer science.
Get Help Studying Computer Science
Whether you're studying at one of the aforementioned universities, doing another computer science course, or wanting to study computer science in your own time, private computer science tutoring is an excellent option.
There are plenty of talented, experienced, and qualified computer science tutors on the Superprof website and many of them offer the first session for free, allowing you to try a few out before deciding which one is right for you, your budget, what you want to learn, and how you like to learn.
You can learn either face-to-face with local computer science tutors or online with tutors from all over the world so no matter what you want to learn, there's a tutor somewhere in the world ready to teach you!
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