Lines of computer code on a monitor
Areas of interest

Study computer science and information technology , Ākona te pūtaiao rorohiko me te hangarau mōhiohio

Study at Massey to analyse, build, design or manage new technology or IT systems. Pick from specialisations such as data science, information systems or software engineering.

Need help or know what you want to study?

A major plus

Massey offers five majors for our Bachelor of Information Sciences, the only university in New Zealand to do so.

IT thumbs up

Massey's Bachelor of Information Sciences is the only degree in New Zealand accredited by the industry body IT Professionals.

Global recognition

Our qualifications in this area are accredited by international industry bodies, so you can work in New Zealand and overseas.

Study your way

Our flexible learning options allow you to learn on campus, online or a mix of both. Fit study around your work and personal life.

Overview

In a fast-moving industry, it pays to opt for a future-focused university like Massey. Explore all aspects of computer science and IT with our unique Bachelor of Information Sciences — with five majors, you can specialise or mix and match your courses.

Master in-demand skills with practical assignments, including projects for charities and voluntary organisations. Link with industry while you study, including internships at innovative software companies. Graduate work-ready with a degree accredited by industry bodies such as IT Professionals NZ.

Computer science and information technology are a good fit if you:

  • enjoy school subjects such as maths, computing or digital technologies
  • want to shape how people use technology
  • like thinking logically and analytically.

Courses in computer science and IT may cover:

  • artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR)
  • back end or front end developer skills
  • coding using programming languages such as C and C++, Java and Python
  • databases, data mining and data science
  • information systems
  • networks, privacy and cybersecurity
  • Courses in computer science and IT may cover:ce (UI) design, also called interactive design.u

How to study computer science and information technology

Discover what we offer if you’re interested in computer science and information technology – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.

Undergraduate study

An undergraduate qualification is generally the first thing you’ll study at university.

Bachelor's degrees

Degrees are the standard qualifications you do at university – the most common is called a bachelor’s. Degrees give you enough time to explore your interests, and also focus on specific subjects.

Undergraduate certificates

If you want to study at university, but aren't sure if you want to commit to a degree, try an undergraduate certificate.

Graduate certificates

Graduate certificates let you study in a subject you're interested in without doing a second bachelor's degree. Or you can use it as a bridge to postgraduate study if you already have an undergraduate degree.

Undergraduate diplomas

Undergraduate diplomas let you try university study before you commit to a degree. They’re also useful if you need to advance your career.

Graduate diplomas

Graduate diplomas can help you advance to postgraduate study or research in a subject you haven’t majored in for your undergraduate study.

Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in

When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equivalent experience – you’ll be ready to take on postgraduate study.

Master's degrees

A master's degree normally builds on a main subject of study from your undergraduate degree.

Postgraduate diplomas

Postgraduate diplomas are postgraduate-level qualifications that are longer than a postgraduate certificate. If you’re successful, you might be able to use the credits towards the longer master’s degree.

PhD and other doctoral degrees

Doctoral degrees, including PhDs, are the highest degrees we award. They’re very demanding and their entry criteria reflect this.

Relevant research areas at Massey

Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to computer science and information technology at Massey.

Computer science and information technology research

What our students say

“My computer science studies prepared me for the concrete and code writing tasks, whereas my information technology major has given me a grounding in the higher level, more abstract concepts so I can see how it all fits together.”
William Taylor

Bachelor of Information Sciences (Computer Science and Information Technology)

“I really enjoyed the software papers I took and principles that I learnt I apply in my current job. The top IT graduate jobs are highly competitive and I am glad that I studied with Massey University, I felt it prepared me well for the workplace.”
Reece Hewitt

Bachelor of Information Science (Information Technology)

“Massey really set me up with the fundamentals - what you get taught at Massey is 100% relevant to the real world.”
Gray Salmond

Bachelor of Information Sciences (Software Engineering)

Massey Student Enterprise: Develop your entrepreneurial mindset

Got a business idea? Massey Student Enterprise helps students and staff gain hands-on experience and knowledge to build a sustainable enterprise. 

Join a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and innovators, supported by people who understand your goals.

Location: All campuses and available to distance students

Jobs in computer science and information technology

Computer science and information technology is the fastest-growing industry in the world. It's a career that can range from apps to artificial intelligence, analytics to augmented reality, databases to dev work. Job prospects are good, with high demand for skilled tech workers. Some of our graduates go into research. Others start their own business.

Computer science and information technology careers include:

  • data science engineers or data analysts
  • backend developers, who work with databases and programming languages
  • frontend developers, who code what users see and interact with, such as buttons, menus and pages
  • IT managers or consultants
  • software engineers
  • systems or business analysts
  • test analysts
  • web designers or user interface (UI) designers, who create the look and feel of digital products
  • user experience designers, who create ways people can interact with digital products.

Information technology careers

Annual salary ranges for jobs

Salary ranges disclaimer

Indicative pay rates are:

Which computer science and IT qualification?

Examples of where our qualifications may take you.

Table showing jobs and what you could study to enter them.
Jobs Examples of what you could study
Data analyst or data science engineer Bachelor of Information Science (Data Science)
Master of Analytics
Developer or software engineer Bachelor of Information Science (Software Engineering)
Bachelor of Information Science (Computer Science)
IT manager or systems analyst Bachelor of Information Science (Information Systems)
Bachelor of Business (Organisational Technology Management)
Master of Information Sciences
UX designer or web designer Bachelor of Information Science (Information Technology)
Bachelor of Design with Honours (Visual Communication Design)

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Computer Science and Information Systems

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 650 universities for computer science and information systems. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.

Learn more

SAS Analytics

Graduates of our Master of Analytics receive the globally recognised SAS certification.

Learn more

Get an information guide

Download our guide to find out more about studying computer science and information technology at Massey.

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