Course details

Summary

We live in an ‘Information Age' where access to information, information systems and digital technology play a major role in organisations. With information systems we can change how we work, how we communicate, and how we do business.

Information Systems (IS) is about how businesses use information technology to become smarter, better, faster, and achieve their strategic goals. IS enables businesses to create value, provide solutions to business problems, and use technology to innovate and create new business opportunities. Information Systems addresses the design, development and delivery of solutions to business problems, and the management of IS projects, IS personnel and IS resources.

What is the distinction between Information Systems and other subjects?

A Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems takes more of a business perspective compared with Computer Science (Bachelor of Science) or Software or Computer Engineering (Bachelor of Engineering with Honours). For example, it examines how organisations may use and benefit from IT, and considers the role of new technologies in internet business and social media. Some IS courses focus on business issues such as IT management, business process management, business intelligence, and IT project management.

Recommended preparation

No specific prior knowledge or experience is required for those wishing to study Information Systems. An interest in technology and how it is used on the job and in business is beneficial.

Good English language skills, both written and spoken, is also important.

Qualification structure and duration

The three year BCom degree requires a minimum total of 360 points:

at least 255 points of Commerce courses (up to 60 points of Mathematics and/or Statistics at 100 or 200-level may be included in the 255 points)

the remaining 105 points can be from commerce courses or courses from other degrees.

A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Double Degrees

It is possible to combine a commerce degree with other degrees; a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws is a highly marketable combination. The Bachelor of Commerce also combines well with the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Forestry Science and Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

Career opportunities

Information Systems is one of the fastest growing areas for study and employment. It is on the long-term skill shortage list for New Zealand and there is also a global shortage in this area, ensuring high demand and salaries for graduates. IS graduates with a good mix of business and technical skills and knowledge would be well-placed to take up these opportunities.

For IS graduates there are many exciting career options: business analyst/consultant, business process analyst/consultant, business intelligence analyst, systems analyst, IS implementation consultant, IT project manager, IS manager.

IS expertise is marketable worldwide and can open the door to even more exciting and challenging careers. Many of our graduates are now in key positions all around the world including the UK, USA, Hong Kong and Australia.

If you take Computer Science/Software Engineering with IS, your options also include: solutions architect, software engineer, applications developer, programmer/analyst, database administrator, and website designer/developer.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.