What Should I Study?
This page can help you decide what Programme to study.
Select your subject area from the list below.
The tables can help you decide which programme is best for your needs.
Navigation
Accounting | Management | Computing | ECE | Environment | Psychology | Communication
Accounting Options
| What are my needs? | Suggested Programme/ Qualification | Assessment | Where to next? |
| > To gain basic skills in book-keeping | Introductory Accounting | Two internal assessments, no final examination. | Open Polytechnic Diploma in Accounting/New Zealand Diploma in Business/Bachelor of Business |
| > To complete Bachelor of Business prerequisite knowledge | Open Polytechnic Diploma in Accounting | Compulsory assignments, projects and final examinations. | New Zealand Diploma in Business/Bachelor of Business |
| > To gain a qualification in accounting | New Zealand Diploma in Business (NZDipBus) with accounting specialisation | Compulsory assignments, projects and final examinations. | Bachelor of Business |
| > To become an Accounting Technician | New Zealand Diploma in Business | Compulsory assignments and projects. Most courses have an examination. | Post Graduate Study |
| > To complete a degree in accounting | Bachelor of Business | Compulsory assignments and projects. Most courses have an examination. | Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting |
| > To qualify as a Chartered Accountant (Academic requirements only) | Diploma in Professional Accounting | Compulsory assignments and projects. Most courses have an examination. | Post Graduate Study |
Management Options
| What are my needs? | Suggested Programme/ Qualification | Level of Study | Where to next? |
| > To gain basic practical skills in operating a small business | Essential Elements of Small Business Management | 2 | NZIM Certificates |
| > To gain in-depth skills and knowledge in small business and management | NZIM Certificate in Small Business Management (CSBM) | 4 | NZIM Diploma in Management or NZDipBus |
| > To gain in-depth skills and knowledge in supervisory/first level management | NZIM Certificate in Management (CM) | 4 | NZIM Diploma in Management or NZDipBus |
| > To develop a health and safety plan for my workplace | Managing Health and Safety in the Workplace | 5 | NZIM Certificates or Diploma in Management |
| > To develop a sound knowledge and foundation in middle management skills and techniques | NZIM Diploma in Management | 5-6 | NZIM Advanced Diploma or NZDipBus |
| > To gain practical knowledge in management that can be credited to a business degree | Diploma in Applied Management (OP5206) | 5 | Bachelor of Business |
| > To develop a sound knowledge of and foundation in generic management skills, leading to more specialised studies in Accounting, Banking & Finance, Management, Human Resources & Small Business Management | New Zealand Diploma in Business (NZDipBus) | 5-6 | Bachelor of Business |
| > To complete a degree majoring in Management | Bachelor of Business (Management) | 5-7 | Graduate and Postgraduate Study |
| > Specialised study in HR at a graduate level | Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (OP7208) | 7 | Postgraduate study |
| > Specialised study in strategic management at a graduate level | Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management (OP7210) | 7 | Postgraduate study |
| > Executive development | Executive Programme: Graduate Certificate in Management (OP8100) Graduate Diploma in Management (OP8200) | 7 | Articulates to an MBA programme |
Computing Options
What are my needs? | Qualification | Where will this take me? | Who to contact now |
> Learn basic computing and/or business administration with New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Unit Standards. Which means gaining an education for office work. | NC5212 National Certificate in Computing (Level 2) | Junior office positions involving using a computer for data entry, word processing and other common tasks. | |
NC5213 National Certificate in Computing (Level 3) | Office positions involving using a computer for data entry, word processing and other common tasks, receptionists for a business, managing the office for a self-employed trades and professional person. (Gaining these positions will also depend on other attributes such as business skills, communication skills, maturity and reliability). | ||
> Study at diploma or degree level but I have been away from study for a while. Which means being confident of my study abilities. | A graduate will have demonstrated the skills and the ability to study at a degree or diploma level and is likely to be able to gain entry to any tertiary institution in New Zealand. When you graduate you will have one course towards your degree or diploma. | Extension: 5450 | |
> Use computers to analyse and manage information to support a business. Which means being proficient in designing and building small systems using Word, Excel, Access and the Internet. | The Open Polytechnic Diploma in Information Systems (Part of NC5121 NZ Diploma in Business (Level 5) programme) | Graduates will be qualified to develop small systems for business. Many graduates go on to complete the full Diploma in Business. | Extension: 5800 |
> Develop well designed web pages. Which means understanding the concepts and techniques of the design and construction of effective web pages. | Graduates of this certificate will be able to create simple informational websites and also take up junior positions developing and maintaining corporate websites. | Extension: 5502 | |
> Use IT to support the business and/or use computers to analyse and manage information. Which means being capable of: Using IT in the business critical thinking degree level study | Graduates of this diploma in mainly information systems topics may find promotion to IS&T development and management roles in their current companies or junior positions with new employers. | Extension: 5502 | |
> Enhance my IT skills and knowledge. Which means being technically competent in: The software development process managing IT | Graduates are likely to have had significant experience in IS&T outside of study, and so find IS&T development and junior management roles in larger organisations or as the sole IT person in smaller firms. Position titles may include Systems Analyst, Systems Developer and Project Manager, amongst many others. | Extension: 5502 | |
> Complete a degree programme majoring in Information Systems & Technology. | OP7001 Bachelor of Business (Level 7) | Graduates will have gained other skills and knowledge in addition to IS&T and so will find a wide range of positions involving IS&T development and management roles in larger organisations or more senior positions in smaller firms. Position titles may include Systems Analyst, Systems Developer and Project Manager, amongst many others. | Extension: 5249 |
OP7010 Bachelor of Applied Science (Level 7) | Extension: 5502 |
ECE Study Options
| What are my needs? | Suggested Programme/Qualification | Level of Study | Where to next? | What Do I Need for More Information? |
| > I want to gain information about early childhood education | National Certificate in Early Childhood Education & Care | 3 | The Open Polytechnic Certificate in Early Childhood Education (Level 5) or Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) | Early Childhood Education—Certificate Programmes brochure |
| > I want to work in home-based services or want to learn more about early childhood education in relation to home-based care and education. | New Zealand Certificate in Family Day Care(Caregiver) | 4 | The Open Polytechnic Certificate in Early Childhood Education or Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) | Early Childhood Education—Certificate Programmes brochure |
| > I want to do a shorter course as a pathway to a Diploma of Teaching ECE or a Degree.This programme is particularly suitable for home-based educators, nannies and those working in services with a focus on supporting families/wha-nau and young children | The Open Polytechnic Certificate in Early Childhood Education (level 5) | 5 | The Open Polytechnic Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) | Early Childhood Education—Certificate Programmes brochure |
| > I want a teaching career in early childhood education in a licensed and chartered early childhood service. | Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) This qualification is a New Zealand Teachers Council-approved teacher education programme. | 7 | Undergraduate Degree | The Open Polytechnic Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) brochure. |
| > I want to work as a teacher aide, parent or community helper at primary school. | The Open Polytechnic Certificate in Teacher Aiding | 4 | Studies in computing, psychology and library studies. | Teacher Aide Certificate brochure. |
| > I want to work in a New Zealand out of school programme. | The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand Certificate in Out of School Care and Recreation. | 4 | Teacher Aide Certificate. Diploma or degree in Psychology. | Out of School Care and Recreation brochure. |
Environment Study Options
| What are my needs? | Programme/Qualification | Level of Study | Number of Courses | What programme brochure do I need? |
| > To gain an understanding of organic growing principles and practice. | Organic Growing | 4 | 1 | Organic Growing |
| > To develop knowledge of contemporary environmental issues. | Certificate in Environment and Sustainability | 5 | 3 | Degree Programmes |
| > To gain practical understanding of sustainable environmental management principles. | Diploma in Environment and Sustainability | 5 | 6 | Degree Programmes |
| > To develop understanding of New Zealand's resource management framework. | Certificate in Environmental Management | 6 | 3 | Degree Programmes |
| > To gain in-depth knowledge of environmental management in New Zealand. | Diploma in Environmental Management | 6 | 6 | Degree Programmes |
| > To develop knowledge of environmental policy and management. | Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Management | 7 | 3 | Degree Programmes |
| > To gain specialised knowledge in environmental management. | Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management | 7 | 5 | Degree Programmes |
| > To complete a degree majoring in Environmental Studies. | Bachelor of Applied Science Environment Major. | 5–7 | 18 | Degree Programmes |
Psychology Options
| What are my needs? | Suggested Programme/Qualification | Level of Study | Where might it lead? |
| > To enter tertiary study in the areas of psychology and counselling. | Diploma in Health and Human Behaviour (OP5350) | 5 | A career in health, social services, or counselling. Further study at the diploma or degree level. |
| > To gain a broad introductory knowledge of psychology and a deeper understanding of people. | Diploma in Psychology (OP5300) | 5–6 | A wide variety of career options. Further study in degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Applied Science. |
| > To gain a sound understanding of child and adolescent development, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches. | Diploma in Child and Adolescent Psychology (OP6210) | 5–7 | Working directly with children and their parents, teachers or caregivers. Further study in degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Applied Science. |
| > To learn about adult mental health from psychological perspectives including Maori Mental Health approaches. | Diploma in Applied Mental Health (OP6120) | 5–7 | Employment in psycho-social rehabilitation with mental health service providers. Further study in degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Applied Science. |
| > To gain a sound understanding of the theories and practices of organisational psychology. | Diploma in Organisational Psychology (OP6130) | 5–7 | A career in human resource management. Further study in degree programmes such as the Bachelor of Applied Science. |
| > To gain a broad knowledge of psychology at the degree level | Bachelor of Applied Science—Psychology Major (OP7010) | 5–7 | Enrolment in post-graduate study at a New Zealand university and future registration as a psychologist. A variety of career options including marketing, counselling, ergonomics, teaching, nursing. |
Communications Options
| What are my needs? | Suggested Programme/Qualification | Level of Study | Where to next? | What programme brochure do I need? |
| > To develop a sound knowledge in generic management skills. | New Zealand Diploma in Business (NC5121) | 5–6 | Certificate, Diploma or Degree—talk to us about your options. | New Zealand Diploma in Business |
| > To learn how to write reports and prepare presentations for different audiences. I am starting my career in Communication but I am not sure if I want to do a degree. | Diploma in Communication Studies (OP5271) | 5 | Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Arts | Degree Programme Information |
| > To learn the key skills needed for developing and maintaining a website. | Certificate in Web Design and Writing (OP5266) | 5 | Diploma or Degree—talk to us about your options. | Degree Programme Information |
| > To build on my knowledge of communication to help me get started in a career in Public Relations. | Certificate in Public Relations (OP5272) | 5 | Diploma in Professional Communication | Degree Programme Information |
| > To learn how to develop and implement a communication programme and be able to work across a range of public relations and professional roles. | Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management (OP6211) | 6 | Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Arts | Degree Programme Information |
| > To be able to focus on communication within a strategic and international context. | Diploma in Strategic Communication (OP6202) | 6 | Bachelor of Applied Science or Bachelor of Arts | Degree Programme Information |
| > To complete a degree that will develop strong communication skills and enable me to think critically whilst allowing me to apply what I learn. | Bachelor of Applied Science - Communication Major (Organisational Communication focus) | 7 | Postgraduate study | Degree Programme Information |
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Major (Media and Society focus) |
